Complex Sentences

WHAT IS A COMPLEX SENTENCE?

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand along as a sentence. For this excercise, I would like you to take great consideration with your work to ensure that.

When the cake is brown (this is the dependent clause as it cannot stand alone), (sometimes a comma is used to seperate clauses) take it out of the oven. (This is an independent clause, as it can stand alone as a sentence).

EXAMPLES OF COMPLEX SENTENCES

Below are examples of complex sentences. In each example, the independent clause is highlighted.

• Both the cockroach and the bird would get along very well without us, although the cockroach would miss us most. (Joseph Wood Krutch, 1893-1970)
• Leave while you can.
• When a distinguished by elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. (Arthur C. Clarke)

FOUR TYPES OF SENTENCE STRUCTURE

A complex sentence is one of four main sentence structures, all of which are shown below. In these examples, the independent clauses are italicized.

A complex sentence has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. For example:

• The human brain never stops working until you stand up to speak in public.

A ompound sentence has at least two independent clauses. For example:

• I always wanted to be somebody, but I should have been more specific. (Jane Wagner)

A simple sentence has just one independent clause. For example:

• Curiosity killed the cat

A compund-comples sentence has at least two independent clauses adn at least one dependent clause. For example:

• I stopped believing in Santa Claus when he asked for my autograph in a department store, but I still want to believe in him.

Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjuctions:

• After
• although
• as
• because
• before
• even though
• if
• since
• thugh
• unless
• until
• when
• whenever
• whereas
• wherever
• while

a complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clauses, as in the following:

Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to seperate teh two clauses.

1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.
2. While he waited at the station, Joe realized that the train was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station.

Conversely, the indepedent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the dependent clause, as in the following:

Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to seperate the two clauses.

1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
3. Mary and Samantha realised that Joe was waiting at the station after they left on the bus.

Complex sentences are more effective than compound sentences because a complex sentence indicates clearer and more specific realtionships between the main parts of the sentence. The word ‘before’, for instance, tells readers that one thing occurs before another. A word such as ‘although’ conveys a more complex relationship than a word such as ‘and’ conveys.