Complex Sentences

Definition A complex sentence is sentence made by joining an independent clause and a dependent clause.

Clauses An independent clause makes sense by itself. Example: The bell rang for class.

Clauses The dependent clause does NOT make sense by itself. Without the help of an independent clause, it is a fragment. A dependent clause always begins with a subordinate conjunction Example: When the bell rang for class.

Writing Complex Sentences There are two ways to write complex sentences

Writing Complex Sentences Method 1 – place the dependent clause at the beginning of the sentence followed by a comma Examples: When the bell rang for class, the students took their seats. Before I leave for school, I eat a bowl of cereal.

Writing Complex Sentences Method 2 – place the dependent clause at the end of the sentence. No comma is needed! Examples: The students took their seats when the bell rang for class. I eat a bowl of cereal before I leave for school.

Subordinate conjunctions that begin a dependent clause After Although As Because Before Even though Except If since So that Than That Though Unless Until When Where While

When I left this morning, my mother was still sleeping. Directions: Write CD if the sentence is compound. Write CX if the sentence is complex. If you don’t know, make an educated GUESS! When I left this morning, my mother was still sleeping. Jessica throws the ball to her dog; therefore, Meg’s dogs chase the ball too. I forgot my notebook at school; I did not study for the test.

The temperature is quite chilly this morning even though it is April. Directions: Write CD if the sentence is compound. Write CX if the sentence is complex. If you don’t know, make an educated GUESS! The temperature is quite chilly this morning even though it is April. Unless it stops raining soon, our soccer game will be cancelled. We may have severe thunder storms this afternoon, so we are getting out of school early.