Strong writing often incorporates a variety of sentence types.

A simple sentence contains a single main clause. It may also include modifiers.

Cara (S) is studying (V) for a chemistry exam.

The main clause in a simple sentence can have a compound subject.

Cara and Raul (S) are studying (V) for a chemistry exam.

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It may also have a compound verb.

Raul (S) is studying (V) for a chemistry exam and listening (V) to music.

In addition, the main clause in a simple sentence can have an implied subject.

Don’t wait (V) until the last minute to study for the chemistry exam. [The implied — but unstated — subject of this sentence is you.]

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses, each with its own subject and verb. The clauses in a compound sentence can be joined by a coordinating conjunction.

A new mushroom-shaped sea animal(S) has been discovered (V) near Australia, but scientists (S) have not been able (V) to classify it within existing categories of animal life.

The clauses of a compound sentence can also be joined by a semicolon, or by a semicolon followed by a conjunctive adverb such as however.

A new mushroom-shaped sea animal (S) has been discovered (V) near Australia; however, scientists( S) have not been able (V) to classify it within existing categories of animal life.

A complex sentence contains one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Luis volunteers every week at an animal shelter [main clause] because he wants to become a veterinarian [subordinate clause].

In some complex sentences, the word that connects the subordinate clause to the main clause may be implied.

Musicians know [main clause] [that] hours of work are necessary to perfect their craft [subordinate clause].

A compound-complex sentence contains two or more main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Although some students were nervous about learning computer programming [subordinate clause], most found the assignments interesting [main clause], and Rachel was inspired to learn more programming on her own [main clause].

The normal sentence is the most common sentence structure in English. Although a normal sentence may include modifiers, it always places a subject before a verb at the beginning of its main clause.

The teacher assigned a new project on Monday.

An inverted sentence reverses the subject-verb order of a normal English sentence so that all or part of the verb appears before the subject.

Deep in the heart of the forest stands (V) an ancient tree (S).

A cumulative sentence is composed of a main clause followed by a series of subordinate clauses or phrases that add information and detail.

They were best friends—always loyal, rarely apart, and absolutely inseparable.

A periodic sentence ends with the main clause and begins with modifying phrases or clauses. The meaning of a periodic sentence may not be clear to the reader until the very end of the sentence.

By triumphing over a series of dangerous obstacles, standing bravely in the face of fear, and working together as a team, the heroes of the story will save the day.