Writing COMPLEX Sentences for Ms. Davis’s 5th-Grade Language Arts Classes

Types of Sentences There are 4 types of sentences we will explore this year: Simple (S) sentences (independent clauses), Complex (CX) sentences, Compound (CD) sentences, and complex-compound (CX-CD) sentences. This presentation will focus on COMPLEX sentences.

What Is a Complex Sentence? A complex sentence is a sentence that combines a DEPENDENT clause with an INDEPENDENT clause. Remember, an INDEPENDENT clause is just a complete sentence. A DEPENDENT clause is a group of words that includes a marker, a subject, and a predicate, but it does not make sense on its own.

Do You Remember Our Markers? Just remember WASABI! while after since although because if

Punctuating Dependent Clauses Remember that a dependent clause needs a comma when the clause is at the beginning of the sentence: Since it is dark, let’s put our costumes on. A dependent clause does not need a comma when it is at the end of the sentence: Let’s put our costumes on since it is dark.

Writing Complex Sentences To create a complex sentence, just add a dependent clause to an independent clause. Just treat your independent clause like a target sentence for a Brush Stroke.

Writing Complex Sentences Independent clause (IC): I will get a lot of candy. Now I need to put a dependent clause before or after it. Dependent clause (DC): if my costume is awesome

Writing Complex Sentences IC: I will get a lot of candy. + DC: if my costume is awesome = COMPLEX sentence: I will get a lot of candy if my costume is awesome.

Writing Complex Sentences Independent clause: Zombie costumes are cool. Now I need to put a dependent clause before or after it. Dependent clause: although they scare me

Writing Complex Sentences IC: Zombie costumes are cool. + DC: although they scare me = COMPLEX sentence: Although they scare me, zombie costumes are cool.

Ghosts roamed the cemetery grounds. The witch cackled and screeched. You Try A Couple! Add a DEPENDENT CLAUSE BEFORE the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE to make a COMPLEX sentence. Ghosts roamed the cemetery grounds. Add a DEPENDENT CLAUSE AFTER the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE to make a COMPLEX sentence. The witch cackled and screeched.

because the moon was full while the vampire chased a werewolf Try A Couple More! Add an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE BEFORE the DEPENDENT CLAUSE to make a COMPLEX sentence. because the moon was full Add an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE AFTER the DEPENDENT CLAUSE to make a COMPLEX sentence. while the vampire chased a werewolf

Can You Write Your Own? Write 2 Halloween-themed COMPLEX sentences. Put a dependent clause at the beginning of one sentence and at the end of the other. Be sure each sentence has proper capitalization and punctuation!

Great Job, Goblins!