Identifying Sentence Structures

Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can identify and classify compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

Khan Academy · 4:14Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by Khan Academy on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    A compound-complex sentence has elements of both compound and complex sentences, meaning it has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

  2. 2

    The minimum requirement for a compound-complex sentence is two independent clauses and one dependent clause, but it can include more than one dependent clause.

  3. 3

    "After the storm passed, I went outside and I picked flowers because they were beautiful" is a compound-complex sentence because "I went outside" and "I picked flowers" are independent clauses, while "After the storm passed" and "because they were beautiful" are dependent clauses.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

3 questions

1

Which of the following sentences is a compound-complex sentence?

2

Identify the independent clauses and the dependent clause in the following sentence: Although he was tired, John finished his homework, and he went to bed.

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Identify the following sentence type as compound, complex, or compound-complex: Because it was raining, I wore a coat, and I carried an umbrella.

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson