Complex Sentences

Complex Sentence  Has 3 Parts:  ONE independent clause (complete sentence) (complete sentence)  At least ONE dependent clause (fragment) (fragment)  A subordinating conjunction  (A clause is a group of words that contains a noun and verb)

Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions aftereven ifnow thatthatwhere althougheven though oncethoughwhereas asifrather thanunlesswherever as ifwheneversinceuntilwhether becausein order that so thatwhenwhich beforethanin casewhile

Examples: Notice the COMMAS! (dependent clause) (independent clause) (dependent clause) (independent clause)  When I come to class, I expect to learn something new. (dependent clause) (independent clause) (dependent clause) (independent clause)  Because I woke up late, I missed the bus.

More Examples-what’s the difference (independent clause) (independent clause)  I expect to learn something new when I come to class. (dependent clause) (dependent clause) (independent clause) (dependent clause) (independent clause) (dependent clause)  I missed the bus because I woke up late.

 When your complex sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, you need a comma.  You do not need a comma if your complex sentence does not begin with a subordinating conjunction

Let’s Practice Where would you put a comma, or would you?

If you can’t annoy somebody there is little point in writing. If you can’t annoy somebody there is little point in writing.

When summer comes to the North Woods time slows down. When summer comes to the North Woods time slows down.

I had a chance to talk with my best friend while we were waiting in the lunch line. I had a chance to talk with my best friend while we were waiting in the lunch line.

After we eat dinner we are going to see “Spider-Man.” After we eat dinner we are going to see “Spider-Man.”

You need to come to tutoring to make up your test since you were sick yesterday. You need to come to tutoring to make up your test since you were sick yesterday.

Although I don’t love eating vegetables the broccoli and rice casserole was delicious. Although I don’t love eating vegetables the broccoli and rice casserole was delicious.

Before you leave for vacation double check your luggage to make sure you have packed everything you need. Before you leave for vacation double check your luggage to make sure you have packed everything you need.

As the bus drove away from the school I sighed with relief that I had made it through the sixth grade. As the bus drove away from the school I sighed with relief that I had made it through the sixth grade.

Until you actually try something it is difficult to determine if you’ll like it or not. Until you actually try something it is difficult to determine if you’ll like it or not.

I passed my science test with flying colors because I studied for for it. I passed my science test with flying colors because I studied for for it.

Because she stole the candy her mom grounded her for a week. Because she stole the candy her mom grounded her for a week.

If you want to go to college you must work really hard in school. If you want to go to college you must work really hard in school.

When she asked the boy to the dance he laughed at her and walked off. When she asked the boy to the dance he laughed at her and walked off.

I have to be happy driving my Honda until I save enough money to buy a new car.

While I sat in the principal’s office I watched the children misbehave. While I sat in the principal’s office I watched the children misbehave.

Before I got married I ate fast food every night for dinner. Before I got married I ate fast food every night for dinner.

Although my dogs are bad I still love them very much. Although my dogs are bad I still love them very much.

After what seemed like forever the teacher stopped talking. After what seemed like forever the teacher stopped talking.