Cambridge Grammar of English Hardback with cd-rom a comprehensive Guide

subject

verb complement

The points 

that I’m talking about are

similar.

subject

verb complement

What we need is more time.

Û

316–317

SIMPLE, COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES

271

A sentence with one main clause is called a simple sentence:

main clause

It snowed last night.

Û

also sentence 1 in the table in 270

A sentence with two or more main clauses is called a compound sentence:

main clause 

main clause

He should have been here at five and he’s not here yet.

Û

also sentence 2 in the table in 270

488 | Introduction to sentences and clauses

Cambridge Grammar of English

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A sentence with a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses is called a

complex sentence. In the example below, || indicates clause boundaries.

Subordinate clauses are in green; the main clause is in bold:

[automatic customer-answering-service at a company]

Welcome to [name of company]. || 

If you have a touch-tone telephone

, || 

please

listen carefully to all the following options || 

before you make your choice

.