COMPLEX and COMPOUND- COMPLEX SENTENCES Notes and Exercises

RULE ONE: Clauses (“baby sentences”) can be joined with “SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS.” A nickname for these is “WHITE BUS” words WhenHe is friendly when he feels like it. HowThey know how the war was won. IfShe dances if there is music. ThoughIt will work though it will be hard. Even ifSkippy and I will come even if we are late. BecauseDarren is mad because it is raining. UntilNo one talks until the light is on. SinceShould I take two since you need one? NOTICE: There are many more, but these are among the most common! NOTICE: WHITE BUS words appear between two clauses. There must be a subject and a verb on either side. NOTICE: Sentences with WHITE BUS words are “COMPLEX SENTENCES”

RULE TWO: With complex sentences, the White Bus word can also begin the sentence. EXAMPLE: When John smiles, I feel happy. I feel happy when John smiles. If we leave now, we will be early. We will be early if we leave now. NOTICE: The comma is only necessary when the WHITE BUS word begins the sentence.

RULE THREE: You can use FANBOYS words and WHITE BUS words together in “COMPOUND COMPLEX” sentences. Remember that FANBOYS always require a comma, and WHITE BUS words only require a comma if they begin the sentence. EXAMPLE: If Ed runs, Bob dances, but Al sleeps. EXAMPLE: Bob dances if Ed runs, but Al Sleeps. EXAMPLE: Al Sleeps if Bob dances, but Ed runs. NOTICE: But is a FANBOYS word. It always needs a comma next to it. NOTICE: If is a WHITE BUS word. It only requires a comma (after runs) if it is the sentence’s very first word.

COMPLEX AND COMPOUND COMPLEX SENTENCES EXERCISES On a separate piece of paper, copy the following and add commas if necessary. 1.The milkman is here if you are ready. 2.If you are ready the milkman is here. 3.Until he saw that poster he did not know. 4.Tell us how you and Ben got that dollar. 5.It is cold because he turned on the fan. 6.This is salty but you can eat it if you want. 7.When things changed Sally left and Ed and I cried. 8.Before Ed arrived Terry left so I was alone. 9.Because Greg arrived Bob could sleep and I ran. 10.Dad is happy when she helps yet she refuses.

1.The milkman is here if you are ready. ANSWER: The milkman is here if you are ready. CORRECT AS IS

2. If you are ready the milkman is here. ANSWER: If you are ready, the milkman is here.

3. Until he saw that poster he did not know. ANSWER: Until he saw that poster, he did not know.

4. Tell us how you and Ben got that dollar. ANSWER: Tell us how you and Ben got that dollar. CORRECT AS IS

5. It is cold because he turned on the fan. ANSWER: It is cold because he turned on the fan. CORRECT AS IS

6. This is salty but you can eat it if you want. ANSWER: This is salty, but you can eat it if you want.

7. When things changed Sally left and Ed and I cried. ANSWER: When things changed, Sally left, and Ed and I cried.

8. Before Ed arrived Terry left so I was alone. ANSWER: Before Ed arrived, Terry left, so I was alone.

9. Because Greg arrived Bob could sleep and I ran. ANSWER: Because Greg arrived, Bob could sleep and I ran.

10. Dad is happy when she helps yet she refuses. ANSWER: Dad is happy when she helps, yet she refuses.