( ( The leaves ) ( ( may ( ( ( be simple ) or ) compound ) ) . ) )
(ROOT (S (NP (DT The) (NNS leaves)) (VP (MD may) (VP (VP (VB be) (ADJP (JJ simple))) (CC or) (VP (VB compound)))) (. .)))
The leaves may be simple or compound.
(ROOT (S (NP (NNS Scissors)) (VP (VBP are) (NP (JJ compound) (NNS machines))) (. .)))