The Complex Sentence
Sentence Type #3
What Is a Clause?
A simple sentence is called an
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
A compound sentence is TWO
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES separated
by?
A comma first and then a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
conjunction.
A complex sentence has ONE
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE and ONE
DEPENDENT or SUBORDINATE
CLAUSE.
What Does Subordinate/Dependent
Mean?
If you are subordinate to the teacher,
what does that mean you are?
If I am subordinate to Mr. Pauley,
what does that mean I am?
If one idea is subordinate to another, what does
that mean?
Subordinate = secondary, lesser, inferior, or minor
– all things subordinate are under a higher
authority.
If you are dependent on your parents, you are?
Needy, reliant, dependent
So What Does a Complex
Sentence Look Like?
Although she is very talented, she will not win the
contest.
Although she is very talented =
subordinate/dependent clause
She will not win the contest. =
independent clause/simple sentence
Which word is the subordinate conjunction?
Although
Which Is Independent and Which Is
Subordinate?
I like the kitten with the stripes even though he
seems like the rowdiest, craziest one.
I like the kitten with the stripes =
independent clause/simple sentence
Even though he seems like the rowdiest, crazy one
= subordinate/dependent clause
Which word is the subordinate conjunction?
Even though
Let’s Try One More:
When he had finished his dinner, he cleaned up
his plate, put it in the dishwasher, and wiped off
the table.
When he had finished his dinner =
subordinate/dependent clause
he cleaned up his plate, put it in the dishwasher,
and wiped off the table =
independent/simple sentence
Which word is the subordinate conjunction?
When
Subordinate Conjunctions
A subordinate clause contains a subject and a verb. The subordinate clause can
be an adverb clause which begins with one of the following subordinate
conjunctions:
• After
before
until
• Although
if
when
• As
in order that
whenever
• As if
since
where
• As though
so that
wherever
• As long as
than
while
• As soon as
though
even though
•
because
unless
Or an adjective clause, acting as a description, beginning with:
• That
which
who
whom
whose
Or a noun clause, acting as a simple subject or direct object, beginning with:
• What
whatever
whichever
whoever
whomever
• That
which
who
whom
whose
• How
whether
when
where
why
So What about Commas?
Look at the following complex sentences
and you figure out the comma rule:
As long as we get to sit together, I am happy to go
to the play.
I am happy to go to the play as long as we
get to sit together.
My dog will not leave the yard unless I tell him to.
Unless I tell him to, my dog will not leave the yard.
So What Is the Comma Rule for
Complex Sentences?
If the subordinate clause/dependent clause
starts the sentence, place a comma after
it.
If the independent clause/simple sentence
starts the sentence, do not use a comma.
So Let’s See the Commas Again
As long as we get to sit together, I am happy to go
to the play.
I am happy to go to the play as long as we get to
sit together.
My dog will not leave the yard unless I tell him to.
Unless I tell him to, my dog will not leave the yard.
Rule: If the subordinate clause/dependent clause
starts the sentence, place a comma after.
If the independent clause comes first, no commas.
How about a compoundcomplex sentence?
• As you may suspect, the last sentence
type is a combination of a compound
sentence and a complex sentence.
• Example:
• After I opened the letter from UF, I was so
excited, and immediately I knew that my
college decision was made!
A Few More Examples:
• He told me who stole my bike but I didn’t
believe him!
• Publix is an excellent company and
because my dad is already a manager
there I hope to get a job there too.
• Since you have not paid me back I do not
want to lend you anymore money but if
you pay me back the first loan I’ll think
about it.
Let’s Practice
Identifying &
Punctuating
Sentences!