The Four Types of Sentences in The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history.  We read it over in class to help build our comprehension and coping skills.  It contains all four types of sentences in the English language as well.

The first kind of sentence is a Simple sentence.  It contains a subject and a verb to create a single independent clause.  An example from the Declaration of Independence is: "They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity".

Compound sentences are made of two independent clauses usually linked by the word: and.  One compound sentence in the Declaration of Independence is: "Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government".

A Complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause.  A dependent clause cannot stand by its self as a simple sentence.  A comma normally separates the two clauses.  "He has refused to Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good" is an example of a Complex sentence found in the Declaration of Independence.

Last is a Compound-Complex sentence.  These are comprised of two or more independent clauses mixed with one or more dependent clauses.  One in the Declaration of Independence is: "In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury".