November 2026 - Simple, Compound & Complex Sentences Study Guide for nursing students in
A simple sentence has one independent clause. A compound sentence joins two with a coordinating conjunction. A complex sentence attaches a dependent clause to an independent one. Counting clauses and checking what joins them identifies any sentence in seconds.
Try 4 short questions throughout this guide. Check each answer to learn from the explanation.
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The four sentence types
Type
Structure
Example
Simple
One independent clause
The nurse checked the chart.
Compound
Two independent clauses joined
The nurse checked the chart, and the doctor reviewed the notes.
Complex
One independent plus one dependent
Because the chart was incomplete, the nurse called the ward.
Compound-complex
Two independent plus at least one dependent
Because the chart was incomplete, the nurse called the ward, and the doctor waited.
A simple sentence is not necessarily short. The senior nurse on the evening shift carefully checked every chart on the ward before handover. has one clause and a great many words — length and structure are different things, and questions rely on the assumption that they are the same.
How to identify one in a hurry
Count the subject-verb pairs. One pair means simple.
For two or more, check what joins them: a coordinating conjunction makes it compound.
If a clause opens with because, although, when, if, since or while, it is dependent — so the sentence is complex.
A compound subject or a compound verb does not create a second clause. The nurse and the doctor reviewed the notes. is still simple.
Question 1 of 4
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
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Correct answer: C. The nurse completed the round, and the assistant updated the notes.
Two clauses that could each stand alone, joined by "and" with a comma before it. The first has a compound subject but only one clause, the second is complex because "after" makes the opening clause dependent, and the fourth is a fragment.
The punctuation that goes with each
A compound sentence takes a comma before the coordinating conjunction: The ward was busy, but the handover ran on time. The seven coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
A complex sentence takes a comma when the dependent clause comes first — Because the ward was busy, handover ran late — and usually no comma when it comes second: Handover ran late because the ward was busy. That asymmetry is directly tested.
Question 2 of 4
What type of sentence is: Although the ward was full, every patient was seen within the hour.?
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Correct answer: C. Complex
"Although the ward was full" cannot stand alone, so it is dependent, and it is attached to one independent clause — the definition of complex. A compound sentence would need two clauses that could each stand alone.
Classifying a sentence
Worked example
Classify: When the results arrived, the consultant reviewed them and the team met to discuss the plan.
Find the clauses: "when the results arrived", "the consultant reviewed them", "the team met to discuss the plan".
Test each for independence. The first opens with "when", so it is dependent. The other two can stand alone.
So there are two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
Two independent plus a dependent is compound-complex.
Compound-complex. Counting the clauses first and testing each for independence is quicker and more reliable than trying to recognise the shape whole.
Terms to know
Simple sentence
One independent clause.
Compound sentence
Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
Complex sentence
An independent clause with a dependent clause attached.
Compound-complex
Two or more independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause.
Two subjects sharing one verb. Does not create a second clause.
What the HESI asks most
The same core ideas appear in different wording. If you can answer these without stopping to think, you have what this section requires.
What type of sentence is this?
Count the clauses, then check whether each can stand alone.
Which of these is a compound sentence?
Two clauses that could each be a sentence, joined by one of the seven coordinating conjunctions.
Where should the comma go?
Before the conjunction in a compound sentence; after a dependent clause that comes first.
Question 3 of 4
Why is The senior nurse and the ward manager reviewed every chart before the audit. a simple sentence?
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Correct answer: B. Because it contains only one independent clause, despite having a compound subject.
Two people share a single verb, which gives a compound subject but still only one subject-verb pair, so one clause. Length is irrelevant, the sentence does contain "and", and lacking a dependent clause only rules out complex — it does not by itself make a sentence simple rather than compound.
Key points
Simple is one independent clause, however long.
Compound is two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or semicolon.
Complex is one independent plus one dependent clause.
A compound subject or verb does not make a compound sentence.
Comma before the conjunction in a compound; comma after a leading dependent clause.
Question 4 of 4
Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
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View the Answer and Explanation
Correct answer: B. The results were delayed, but the treatment began on time.
A compound sentence takes the comma immediately before the coordinating conjunction. The first omits it, the third places it after the conjunction, and the fourth separates a subject from its verb.
HESI · Compound and simple sentences
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