3 mistakes learners make with sentence types, each one named and explained.
Count the clauses that could stand alone: one is simple, two joined as equals is compound, and one leaning on another is complex.
'Although she was tired, she kept studying' is chosen as compound.
It has two clauses, and two clauses is remembered as the test for compound.
Question. Although she was tired, she kept studying.
A common answer. compound
The answer. complex
Why. Although she was tired cannot stand on its own, so the two parts are not equals.
Two clauses is not enough. They have to be equals.
'Running through the park, she felt free' is chosen as compound.
It has two parts separated by a comma, and it opens with something that looks like a verb.
Question. Running through the park, she felt free.
A common answer. compound
The answer. simple with an opening phrase
Why. Running through the park has no subject of its own, so it is a phrase and not a clause.
A clause has its own subject. Without one it is only a phrase.
'The dog barked loudly' is chosen as a compound sentence.
It is a complete sentence with several words in it, and compound sounds like a description of length.
Question. The dog barked loudly.
A common answer. compound
The answer. simple
Why. There is only one verb and one statement, however long the sentence runs.
Count the parts that could be sentences on their own. Compound needs two.
WAJD spots these patterns in your child's answers and names the one behind their wrong answers, instead of just marking them wrong.