These sentence types exercises intermediate level turn writing practice into a free Jeopardy game: classify simple, compound, complex and compound-complex sentences, spot errors such as fragments, run-ons and dangling modifiers, and choose the correct sentence. Need the grammar first? Read our guides to independent and dependent clauses and punctuation rules.
Table of Contents
Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level: Play the Jeopardy Game
Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level: Jeopardy Game
Sentence types · error types · correct and incorrect sentences · 25 questions
Pick a tile, choose an answer and the button turns green if it is correct and red if it is wrong. Tap Show answer if you are stuck: no points are given for it. Every question and its explanation is also written in the answer key below the game.
What Are Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level?
Quick answer: sentence types exercises train you to classify a sentence as simple, compound, complex or compound-complex, and to find the errors that make writing unclear: fragments, run-on sentences, comma splices, faulty parallelism and dangling or misplaced modifiers. On this page you can play a Jeopardy game with 25 multiple-choice questions, get instant green or red feedback and read the full answer key for free.
The game has five columns. Column I tests the four sentence types, column II tests error types in two columns, column III asks you to find the correct sentence and column IV asks you to find the incorrect one. The points go from 100 to 600 as you move down a column, so the later tiles are worth more.
How to Play the Jeopardy Game
- Choose the number of teams (1 to 4) or play the sentence types exercises alone, and type a name for each team.
- Click a tile. The question opens in a card, and the team whose name is highlighted answers.
- Click one answer. It turns green if it is correct and the team wins the points. It turns red if it is wrong, and the next team can choose another answer.
- Tap Show answer if nobody knows. The correct answer turns green, but nobody wins points.
- Use the −100 button on a team to give a penalty, for example for shouting out an answer.
- Use Full screen to play on a classroom screen, and Start again to play a new round.
Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level: Answer Key for All 25 Questions
Use the answer key after you play these sentence types exercises. Read the explanation for every question you missed, because the same rules come back in your writing.
Answer key I: Sentence types (1–5)
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
Answer: A. There is only one independent clause. The sentence has a compound subject (Julia and Peter) and a compound predicate (played, watched, did), but the three verbs share one subject and do not create new clauses, so the sentence is simple.
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
Answer: D. Two independent clauses are joined by a semicolon and the conjunctive adverb nevertheless. The second one also contains a noun clause, this is a good time to return (the word that is left out after feel). Two independent clauses plus one dependent clause make it compound-complex.
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
Answer: C. Notwithstanding some members’ objections is only a phrase. The sentence has one independent clause (I think) and one dependent noun clause (we must go ahead with the plan, with that left out), so it is complex.
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
Answer: A. Despite having eaten an enormous breakfast is a phrase (a preposition plus a gerund), not a clause. With only one clause, the sentence is simple.
- simple
- compound
- complex
- compound-complex
Answer: B. The coordinating conjunction for joins two independent clauses, so the sentence is compound.
Answer key II: Error types (6–16)
- comma splice
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: B. Because I ate a lot last night is a dependent clause standing alone, so it is a fragment. Join it to the first sentence: I had a terrible stomachache because I ate a lot last night.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: B. The group of words has no main verb for The person, so it is a fragment. For example: The person to whom I spoke yesterday morning at ten o’clock sharp was rude.
- comma splice
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: D. The phrase with a built-in CD player sits next to a company in Toronto, but it describes the TV. Move it: Andrew has ordered a TV with a built-in CD player from a company in Toronto.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: C. The list begins with two -ing forms, so the third item must match: meeting the needs of our customers.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: A. Two independent clauses are joined by yet without the comma that a coordinating conjunction needs. Write very well-off, yet she is or use a semicolon.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: D. The opening phrase needs a person as its subject, but the sentence says that the car changed the oil. This is a dangling modifier. For example: After changing the oil every 5,000 miles, I noticed that the car seemed to run better.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: D. The clause whose wife had just died is placed next to his dog, but it should describe the professor. Rewrite it so that the modifier sits next to Professor Bailey.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: C. The list mixes adjectives (dirty, tired) with a verb phrase (wanted something to eat). Write we felt dirty and tired, and we wanted something to eat.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: C. The sentence compares perceptions with an adult. The two things compared must match: more astute than an adult’s.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: C. After either…or both parts must have the same form: either by train or by bus.
- run-on
- fragment
- parallelism
- dangling or misplaced modifier
Answer: A. Two independent clauses run together with no punctuation or conjunction. Fix it with a full stop, a semicolon or and: Tom bought the Christmas tree, and Andrew put it up and decorated it.
Answer key III: Identify the correct sentence (17–20)
- Tomorrow’s programme includes running, swimming, and to cycle.
- Tomorrow’s programme includes to run, to swim, and cycling.
- Tomorrow’s programme includes running, to swim, and cycling.
- Tomorrow’s programme includes running, swimming, and cycling.
Answer: D. Only D keeps the three items in the same form (running, swimming, cycling). The other sentences mix gerunds and infinitives.
- Laura’s stories that were published last week and created a stir.
- Kate’s room-mate, Tina, have won a scholarship.
- It took us a week to finish the report and send it to the manager.
- To enhance the organisation’s reputation and image before it is too late.
Answer: C. C is a complete sentence with parallel infinitives (to finish… and send). A and D are fragments, and B has a verb that does not agree with its subject (Tina has won).
- The kids had got bad grades; so their parents rebuked them.
- It is useless to speculate, without more information.
- She did not reply – she merely smiled that insinuating smile.
- The electronics industry is showing signs of stagnating, after 15 years of tremendous growth.
Answer: C. C uses a dash correctly to add the second clause. In A, a comma (not a semicolon) goes before so. In B and D, the comma wrongly separates a phrase that completes the idea.
- Based on the recent reports we received last week.
- Because we have just finished work: we feel tired.
- The exercise was difficult; as a result, nobody could do it.
- Laura’s grades were very good; therefore her father bought her a bike.
Answer: C. C joins two independent clauses with a semicolon and puts a comma after the transition as a result. A is a fragment and B misuses the colon. In D, the comma that normally follows therefore is missing, so C is the only fully correct sentence.
Answer key IV: Identify the incorrect sentence (21–25)
- The girl wore shoelaces in her hair that were woven in with several small braids.
- She threw her head back as if in ecstasy.
- Because she was sick, Eva did not go to work.
- The start of the trail that led to the old mine shaft was discovered behind an abandoned meat-packing plant.
Answer: A. In A, that were woven in with several small braids describes the shoelaces, but it sits next to her hair. The modifier is misplaced.
- He tried to simplify the story for the younger audience.
- She carefully folded the letter and put it in her pocket.
- A number of houses were demolished, so that the supermarket could be built.
- His reputation was destroyed when he was caught stealing some money.
Answer: C. A purpose clause at the end of a sentence normally takes no comma, so the comma before so that the supermarket could be built is the odd one out. The other three sentences are correct.
- He managed to eat a big lunch despite having eaten an enormous breakfast.
- Jane leaving the room without a sound.
- The current structure does not facilitate efficient work flow.
- The prime minister rejected the suggestion that it was time for him to resign.
Answer: B. Jane leaving the room without a sound has no finite verb, so it is a fragment. Fix it: Jane left the room without a sound.
- The new policy only to accentuate the inadequacy of provision for the homeless.
- There were signs warning of fog as soon as we got onto the motorway.
- Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to come forward.
- The President is clearly in a dilemma over how to deal with the financial crisis.
Answer: A. A has no finite verb, so it is a fragment. For example: The new policy only served to accentuate the inadequacy of provision for the homeless.
- The news this afternoon are more depressing than ever.
- My car’s got a dent, and I was hoping they’d be able to hammer it out.
- We bought both sofas from a big furniture warehouse that’s just off the motorway.
- There are three main conditions you must satisfy if you wish to be a member of the club.
Answer: A. News is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb: The news this afternoon is more depressing than ever.
The 4 Sentence Types Explained
Before you do more sentence types exercises, learn the four types and what each one needs. The type depends on the number and kind of clauses. A clause is a group of words with a subject and a finite verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, and a dependent clause cannot.
Simple Sentence
A simple sentence has one independent clause and no dependent clause. It can have more than one subject or more than one verb, but it still has only one clause. Julia and Peter played tennis, watched TV, and did their homework is simple: one subject group shares three verbs.
Phrases do not change the type. Despite having eaten an enormous breakfast looks long, but it is a prepositional phrase with no subject of its own, so He managed to eat a big lunch despite having eaten an enormous breakfast is a simple sentence.
Compound Sentence
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses and no dependent clause. The clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so), by a semicolon, or by a semicolon plus a conjunctive adverb such as however, therefore or nevertheless.
Jane is studying hard, for she wants to get good grades is compound. Both parts could stand alone, and the conjunction for only links them. Notice that for here means because, but it is a coordinating conjunction, not a subordinating one.
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Dependent clauses begin with words such as because, although, when, if, who, which and that.
Watch out for hidden clauses. In I think we must go ahead with the plan, the word that is missing, but we must go ahead with the plan is still a dependent noun clause, the object of think. This is why even a short sentence can be complex.
Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. There are serious problems in our country; nevertheless, we feel this is a good time to return has two independent clauses, and the second one contains the noun clause this is a good time to return.
A quick list helps you remember the four types when you revise.
- Simple: 1 independent clause.
- Compound: 2 or more independent clauses.
- Complex: 1 independent clause + 1 or more dependent clauses.
- Compound-complex: 2 or more independent clauses + 1 or more dependent clauses.
Common Sentence Errors in Writing
Sentence types exercises usually come with error-spotting tasks, because a writer who understands clauses can also see what is wrong with a broken sentence. These are the five errors in the game.
Sentence Fragments
A fragment looks like a sentence but is not complete. It may have no subject, no finite verb, or it may be a dependent clause standing alone. Because I ate a lot last night is a dependent clause, so it cannot be a sentence. Join it to the main clause: I had a terrible stomachache because I ate a lot last night.
Be careful with -ing words. Jane leaving the room without a sound has no finite verb. Jane left the room without a sound is a sentence. A group of words that starts with a noun and gives a long description but never reaches a verb, like The person to whom I spoke yesterday morning, is also a fragment.
Run-on Sentences and Comma Splices
A run-on sentence joins independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction: Tom bought the Christmas tree Andrew put it up and decorated it. A comma splice joins them with only a comma. A missing comma before yet, so or but between two full clauses can also count as a run-on.
You have four easy repairs: a full stop, a semicolon, a comma with a coordinating conjunction, or a subordinating conjunction that turns one clause into a dependent clause.
Faulty Parallelism
Items in a list, a comparison or a pair such as either…or must have the same grammatical form. The CEO suggested expanding our business, changing our marketing strategy, and meet the needs of our customers is wrong because meet breaks the pattern. Write meeting.
Comparisons need parallel parts too. A child’s perceptions are more astute than an adult compares perceptions with a person. Write than an adult’s.
Dangling and Misplaced Modifiers
A modifier must be next to the word it describes. In Changing the oil every 5,000 miles, the car seemed to run better the sentence says that the car changed the oil: this is a dangling modifier, because the person who did the action is missing. In Andrew has ordered a TV from a company in Toronto with a built-in CD player the phrase is in the wrong place, so it is misplaced.
To fix a dangling modifier, add the missing subject. To fix a misplaced one, move the phrase next to the word it describes.
Semicolons, Colons and Dashes
Questions III and IV also test punctuation. A semicolon joins two related independent clauses, and a comma goes before a coordinating conjunction such as so, not a semicolon. A colon follows a complete clause and introduces an explanation or a list. A dash adds a sudden second thought. After a transition such as as a result or therefore, put a comma. Review the punctuation rules if these marks still confuse you.
How to Do Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level Fast
You do not need to read each sentence ten times. Use a short method and your speed will improve with every set of sentence types exercises you finish.
Underline the verbs first
Every clause has a finite verb, so count the verbs and the subjects that go with them. Ignore verbal phrases such as having eaten or to return.
Mark the connectors
Look for coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, conjunctive adverbs and subordinators. Coordinators join equal clauses, and subordinators make one clause depend on another.
Read the sentence aloud
Your ear often notices a fragment or a run-on before your eye does. If you run out of breath, the sentence probably needs punctuation. If it sounds unfinished, it probably lacks a verb or a main clause.
Compare the options before you choose
In the correct-sentence questions, two options are often fragments, and in the incorrect-sentence questions three options are fine. Rule out the obvious ones first. For extra grammar practice, the British Council LearnEnglish grammar section has free explanations and exercises.
Common Mistakes in Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level
- Counting phrases as clauses. A phrase has no subject and finite verb of its own, so it does not change the sentence type.
- Missing the omitted that. A clause such as I think we must go hides a dependent clause.
- Thinking long means complex. A long sentence can still be simple, and a short one can be complex.
- Confusing however with but. However is a conjunctive adverb: it needs a semicolon before it, not only a comma.
- Putting a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction. Use a comma before and, but, so, yet, for, nor, or.
- Ignoring the subject of an opening phrase. The subject of the main clause must be the doer of the action in the phrase.
Using Sentence Types in Your Own Writing
The aim of sentence types exercises is better writing. A paragraph made only of simple sentences sounds choppy, and a paragraph made only of long compound-complex sentences is hard to follow. Mix the types. Use a simple sentence for a strong main idea, a compound sentence to link equal ideas, and a complex sentence to explain a reason or a condition.
When you proofread, read each sentence once for its clauses and once for its punctuation. Then check your lists for parallel form and your opening phrases for a clear subject. Our guides to linking words and writing tips show you how to connect ideas smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sentence Types Exercises Intermediate Level
What are the four sentence types in English?
The four sentence types are simple, compound, complex and compound-complex. They depend on the number of independent and dependent clauses in the sentence.
What is the difference between a compound and a complex sentence?
A compound sentence joins two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
How do I find a sentence fragment?
Look for a finite verb and a subject, and check that the group of words can stand alone. A dependent clause by itself, or a phrase with an -ing form and no finite verb, is a fragment.
What is the difference between a run-on sentence and a comma splice?
A run-on sentence joins independent clauses with no punctuation or conjunction. A comma splice joins them with only a comma.
Where can I do sentence types exercises intermediate level online for free?
On this page. It has 25 questions in a Jeopardy game with instant feedback, a Show answer button for every question and a full answer key with explanations.
- Independent and dependent clauses
- Punctuation rules
- Paragraph Writing Exercises: Jeopardy Game
- Linking Words Exercises Part 1
- Learn how to write with these writing tips
- How to write an expository essay
Level: B2 · See more B2 exercises
