ATI TEAS Version 7 English & Language Usage section
1. Simple Sentence
Definition:
A simple
sentence contains one independent clause (one subject + one verb)
and expresses a complete thought.
It does NOT
contain:
- conjunction
joining clauses
- dependent
clause
Structure:
Subject
+ Verb + (Object/Complement)
Uses:
- To express clear
and direct ideas
- Common in formal
writing, instructions, and factual statements
- Used for clarity
and emphasis
Examples:
- She studies
hard.
- The nurse
checked the patient.
- Birds fly in
the sky.
- I completed
my assignment.
TEAS Tip:
Even if a
sentence is long, it is still simple if there is only one main clause.
Example:
- The student
completed the assignment with great effort. ✔ (Still
simple sentence)
2. Compound Sentence
Definition:
A compound
sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by:
- Coordinating
conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
- Semicolon
(;)
Structure:
Independent
Clause + conjunction + Independent Clause
Uses:
- To show contrast,
choice, addition, or result
- To connect related
ideas of equal importance
- Common in formal
and informal writing
Examples:
Using conjunction:
- I wanted to
go out, but it was raining.
- She studied
hard, so she passed the exam.
- He is tired,
yet he continues working.
Using semicolon:
- I was
hungry; I made a sandwich.
- She loves
reading; she visits the library often.
TEAS Tip:
Each part must be
able to stand alone as a complete sentence.
✔ I studied. ✔ I passed. → Compound sentence
❌ I studied because I passed. → Not compound
(this is complex)
3. Complex Sentence Definition:
A complex
sentence contains:
- One
independent clause
- One or more
dependent (subordinate) clauses
A dependent
clause cannot stand alone.
Structure:
Independent
clause + dependent clause
OR
Dependent clause + independent clause
Common subordinating conjunctions:
because,
although, since, when, while, if, after, before, unless, though
Uses:
- To show cause
and effect
- To express conditions,
time, contrast
- To add detail
and depth to writing
- Very
important in TEAS reading comprehension
Examples:
Independent + Dependent:
- I stayed
home because it was raining.
- She passed
the exam although she was nervous.
- He left
after the meeting ended.
Dependent + Independent:
- Because it
was raining, I stayed home.
- Although she
was tired, she finished her work.
- When the
bell rang, the students left.
TEAS Tip:
If removing one
clause leaves a fragment, it is a complex sentence.
Example:
- Because it
was late → ❌ fragment
- Because it
was late, I slept early → ✔ complex
sentence
QUICK COMPARISON (TEAS
MEMORY TABLE)
|
Sentence Type |
Clauses |
Key Feature |
Example |
|
Simple |
1 independent |
One idea |
She reads
books. |
|
Compound |
2+ independent |
Joined equal
ideas |
She reads
books, and she writes notes. |
|
Complex |
1 independent +
dependent |
Main idea +
detail |
She reads books
because she enjoys learning. |
TEAS
EXAM STRATEGY
When solving
questions, ask:
1. How many clauses?
- 1 → Simple
- 2
independent → Compound
- 1 dependent
+ 1 independent → Complex
2. Can each clause stand alone?
- Yes →
independent
- No →
dependent
3. Look for signal words:
- FANBOYS →
Compound
- because,
although, when → Complex
In detail, TEAS-style study guide for all three sentence types with meaning, definition, uses, memory tricks, and 5 examples each
(clearly organized for exam revision).
1.
SIMPLE SENTENCE
Meaning:
A sentence that
expresses one complete idea only.
Definition:
A simple sentence
contains one independent clause (one subject + one verb) and expresses a
complete thought.
It does NOT
contain:
- Another
clause
- Coordinating
conjunction joining clauses
- Dependent
clause
Structure:
Subject
+ Verb + (Object/Complement)
Uses:
- To express clear
and direct ideas
- To give facts
or instructions
- To make
writing simple and strong
- Common in formal
and academic writing
Memory Trick:
“ONE
HEART = SIMPLE”
- One subject
+ one verb = Simple sentence
- Only ONE
idea is expressed
✏️ Examples (5):
1.
She
studies hard.
2.
The
nurse checked the patient.
3.
Birds
fly in the sky.
4.
I
completed my assignment.
5.
The
teacher explained the lesson clearly.
TEAS Tip:
Even if a
sentence is long, it is still simple if it has only one main clause.
✔ The student completed the assignment with
great effort. → Simple sentence
2.
COMPOUND SENTENCE
Meaning:
A sentence that
combines two or more equal ideas.
📘 Definition:
A compound
sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by:
- Coordinating
conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
- Semicolon
(;)
Structure:
Independent
Clause + conjunction + Independent Clause
Uses:
- To show contrast
(but, yet)
- To show addition
(and)
- To show reason/result
(so, for)
- To show choice
(or)
- To connect related
equal ideas
Memory Trick:
“FANBOYS
= FRIENDS JOIN EQUAL SENTENCES”
Each clause =
independent = complete sentence
✏️ Examples (5):
1.
I
wanted to go out, but it was raining.
2.
She
studied hard, so she passed the exam.
3.
He
is tired, yet he continues working.
4.
I
was hungry; I made a sandwich.
5.
The
sun set, and the stars appeared.
TEAS Tip:
Both parts must
be able to stand alone.
✔ I studied. ✔ I passed. → Compound sentence
❌ I studied because I passed. → Not compound
(this is complex)
3.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
Meaning:
A sentence that
shows a main idea + extra supporting information.
Definition:
A complex
sentence contains:
- One independent
clause
- One or more dependent
clauses
A dependent
clause cannot stand alone.
Structure:
- Independent
clause + dependent clause
OR - Dependent
clause + independent clause
Common Subordinating Conjunctions:
because,
although, since, when, while, if, after, before, unless, though
Uses:
- To show reason
(because)
- To show time
(when, after)
- To show condition
(if, unless)
- To show contrast
(although, though)
- To add detail
and depth
Memory Trick:
“COMPLEX
= DEPENDS ON ONE MAIN IDEA”
- One sentence
is “strong”
- Other part
depends on it
✏️ Examples (5):
1.
I
stayed home because it was raining.
2.
She
passed the exam although she was nervous.
3.
He
left after the meeting ended.
4.
Because
it was late, I went to sleep.
5.
When
the bell rang, the students left the classroom.
⭐ TEAS Tip:
If one part
cannot stand alone → it is complex.
❌ Because it was late → fragment
✔ Because it was late, I slept early → complex
sentence
🔥 QUICK COMPARISON TABLE (TEAS REVISION)
|
Sentence Type |
Clauses |
Key Feature |
Example |
|
Simple |
1 independent |
One idea |
She reads
books. |
|
Compound |
2+ independent |
Equal ideas
joined |
She reads
books, and she writes notes. |
|
Complex |
1 independent +
dependent |
Main idea +
detail |
She reads books
because she enjoys learning. |
🧠FINAL TEAS STRATEGY
When solving
questions:
1. Count clauses
- 1 clause →
Simple
- 2
independent clauses → Compound
- 1
independent + 1 dependent → Complex
2. Check independence
- Can it stand
alone? → Independent
- Cannot stand
alone? → Dependent
3. Spot signal words:
- FANBOYS →
Compound
- because,
although, when → Complex
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