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Quizzes > English & Grammar

Compound and Complex Sentences Quiz: Check Your Grammar

Quick, free compound-complex sentence quiz. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Joseph PetersUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration showing layered pages and speech bubbles on teal background for compound and complex sentence quiz

This quiz helps you spot and improve compound and complex sentences, with quick checks on clauses, commas, and conjunctions so your writing is clear. For more practice, try our complex and compound sentences quiz, explore a sentence structure quiz, or review tricky punctuation in a run-on sentence quiz.

Which sentence is compound?
Finishing my homework, I watched a movie.
After finishing my homework.
Because I finished my homework, I watched a movie.
I finished my homework, and I watched a movie.
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Which sentence is complex?
She sang and danced.
She sang, she danced, and she smiled.
She sang; she danced.
She sang because she was happy.
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Which word is a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS)?
Because
Since
Although
For
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Choose the correctly punctuated compound sentence.
It was late so we left.
It was late; so we left.
It was late, therefore we left.
It was late, so we left.
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A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses.
False
True
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Choose the coordinating conjunction that best shows contrast: I wanted to go, ___ it started to storm.
for
and
so
but
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Select the best compound version: The team was exhausted. They celebrated the win.
Celebrating the win, the team was exhausted.
The team was exhausted because they celebrated the win.
Because the team was exhausted, they celebrated the win.
The team was exhausted; they celebrated the win.
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Which part is the dependent clause in this sentence: We canceled the picnic because the sky darkened quickly.
the picnic
because the sky darkened quickly
darkened quickly
We canceled the picnic
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Choose the sentence with a nonessential relative clause punctuated correctly.
My sister, who lives in Denver is visiting.
My sister who, lives in Denver, is visiting.
My sister who lives in Denver is visiting.
My sister, who lives in Denver, is visiting.
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A semicolon alone can correctly join two independent clauses without a conjunction.
True
False
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Choose the correctly punctuated compound sentence with internal commas.
We invited Anna, Mark, and Leo, we ordered pizza, wings, and salad.
We invited Anna, Mark, and Leo; and we ordered pizza, wings, and salad.
We invited Anna, Mark, and Leo, and we ordered pizza, wings, and salad.
We invited Anna, Mark, and Leo and we ordered pizza, wings, and salad.
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Which sentence contains a restrictive relative clause (no commas)?
The students, who studied hard, passed the exam.
The students, that studied hard, passed the exam.
The students which studied hard passed the exam.
The students who studied hard passed the exam.
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Select the sentence that turns the second clause into a noun clause correctly.
I believe because she will arrive on time.
I believe, she will arrive on time.
I believe; that she will arrive on time.
I believe that she will arrive on time.
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Which revision removes ambiguity caused by the because clause placement?
I didn't call, I was busy.
I didn't call because I was busy.
Because I was busy, I didn't call.
I didn't call because I was busy.
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A dependent clause can function as the subject of a complex sentence.
False
True
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Identify the sentence type: Although we were tired, we finished the project, and we celebrated.
Complex
Compound-complex
Compound
Simple
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Choose the sentence that correctly distinguishes a compound predicate from a compound sentence.
She cooked and she cleaned.
She cooked and cleaned.
She cooked, and cleaned.
She cooked and cleaned, and she left.
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A colon can join two independent clauses when the second explains the first; this is not a compound sentence by coordination.
True
False
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Using only a comma to join two independent clauses is correct if the clauses are short.
False
True
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Choose the sentence that integrates a quoted clause as a noun clause without a comma splice.
She said that, "we should leave."
She said that we should leave.
She said; "we should leave."
She said, we should leave.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Identify Clause Types -

    Determine independent and dependent clauses within sentences as you progress through the compound and complex sentences quiz.

  2. Differentiate Sentence Structures -

    Distinguish between compound, complex, and compound-complex constructions during targeted compound complex sentence practice.

  3. Analyze Sentence Composition -

    Break down multi-clause sentences using strategies learned from the compound and complex sentences test to understand each clause's role.

  4. Construct Accurate Sentences -

    Apply your knowledge to create grammatically correct compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences in the compound complex sentence quiz.

  5. Enhance Writing Confidence -

    Use instant feedback from the quiz to improve your grammar skills and boost confidence in crafting complex sentence structures.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Differentiating Independent and Dependent Clauses -

    An independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause relies on another clause for meaning. Use the mnemonic "IDEA" - Independent, Dependent, Example, Attach - to quickly spot each clause type. Purdue OWL underscores that mastering these basics is the first step toward acing any compound and complex sentences quiz.

  2. Leveraging FANBOYS for Compound Sentences -

    Compound sentences link two independent clauses with one of the FANBOYS conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Remembering the FANBOYS acronym ensures you never omit the correct connector. The UCLA Writing Center provides clear examples that make compound complex sentence practice more approachable.

  3. Using Subordinators in Complex Sentences -

    Complex sentences introduce a dependent clause using subordinators like because, although, since, or unless to add depth. A simple test is to underline the subordinator and confirm that removing it yields a standalone sentence. Cambridge University Press recommends this technique for tackling tricky compound and complex sentences test questions.

  4. Building Compound-Complex Sentences -

    A compound-complex sentence combines at least two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses for nuanced expression. For example, "I revised my essay, and I submitted it after I double-checked my references." The University of Michigan's writing resources show that mastering this form elevates your grammar skills to the next level.

  5. Mastering Punctuation for Clarity -

    Proper punctuation is key: place a comma before the coordinating conjunction in compound sentences and avoid commas when a dependent clause follows an independent clause. For instance, "We discussed the article because it was timely, and we shared our insights." The Chicago Manual of Style highlights this rule as essential for clear compound and complex sentences practice.

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