Name ____________________
English 9, Depoy/Vallor
Period _____
Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound sentence consists of one of the following:
Two independent clauses (each with its own subject and verb) joined by a semi-colon
(The sentences should be closely related in subject matter.)
Madison and Emily wanted to do well on their presentation; therefore, they videotaped it
in advance.
I am finally sixteen; it's time to get my driver's license.
OR
Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
examples:
for
I did my homework, for it was due today.
*and
My friend came over for dinner, and then we went to the movies.
nor
I do not like Brussels sprouts, nor does my sister.
but
I wanted to go to the mall, but my homework was more important.
*or
I will come to your house to study, or you can come to mine.
yet
It's only November, yet the temperature is cold already.
so
I want to do well in school, so I will stay organized.
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*When using "and" or "or" as coordinating conjuctions, it is usually best
not to repeat the same subject, or your sentence will be repetitive.
Example: It is better to write the following…
I went to the grocery store and then to the arcade.
than to repeat the subject as follows:
I went to the grocery store, and then I went to the arcade.
*As this example shows, a compound sentence is not always the best
choice in every case. Good writing requires good judgment!
*Practice: Write a compound sentence for each of the coordinating
conjunctions. Remember that there must be two independent clauses in
the sentence!
1.
, for
2.
, and
3.
, nor
4.
, but
5.
, or
6.
, yet
7.
, so
Write a compound sentence using a semi-colon.
8.
2
Combine these sentences correctly into compound sentences.
9. I did all of my homework. Later I had time to relax.
10. I don't like getting up early in the morning. It's important that I do so.
More Practice with Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is composed of two independent clauses (sentences) joined
together by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (one of the “fanboys”) OR a
semicolon.
Write compound sentences with each of the following coordinating conjunctions.
*Remember to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction unless it is a very
short sentence.
1. FOR _____________________________________________________________
2. AND _____________________________________________________________
3. NOR _____________________________________________________________
4. BUT _____________________________________________________________
5. OR _____________________________________________________________
6. YET _____________________________________________________________
7. SO _____________________________________________________________
Write compound sentences using a semi-colon.
8. _________________________________________________________________
9. _________________________________________________________________
10. _________________________________________________________________
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Complex Sentences:
A complex sentence contains an independent clause (simple sentence) and
a dependent clause, which depends on the other part of the sentence to
make sense.
Rules:
*The dependent clause must have its own subject and verb!
*The dependent clause can go before or after the independent clause. If it
goes before, it must be followed by a comma.
*The dependent clause starts with one of the following words:
After
Although
As
As if
Because
Before
Even if
Even though
If
If only
In the event that
Once
Since
So that
Though
When
Whenever
Where
Where as
Wherever
Whether
While
Unless
Until
Examples: Chris watched TV after he finished his homework.
(Independent clause, dependent clause)
After he finished his homework, Chris watched TV.
(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)
Callie won first place in the race although she was exhausted.
(Independent clause, dependent clause)
Although she was exhausted, Callie won first place in the race.
(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)
Nathan earned an A on his paper because he edited it carefully.
(Independent clause, dependent clause)
Because he edited it carefully, Nathan earned an A on his paper.
(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)
If it is followed by an independent clause, it’s okay to start a sentence with
“because.”
(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)
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It’s okay to start a sentence with “because” if it is followed an independent
clause.
(Independent clause, dependent clause)
Practice:
Directions: Create a complex sentence by adding a dependent clause to the independent
clause.
11. William studied hard __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
12. ______________________________________________________, Taylor took the
test.
13. Jonathan will go to the party______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
14. ______________________________________________________, Michael scored a
touchdown.
15. Chris stayed after school ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
16. ______________________________________________________, Carly switched
another math class.
17. Zachary took a picture _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
18. ______________________________________________________, Justin knew the
answer.
19. Jordan won an award __________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
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20. ______________________________________________________, Matthew saw the
movie.
21. Isis read the book ____________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
22. ______________________________________________________, Mina made the
honor roll.
23. Aaron went to the homecoming dance _____________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
24. ______________________________________________________, Rebecca wrote a
poem.
25. Thomas got his driver’s license __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
26. ______________________________________________________, Faith got an “A.”
27. Rachael goes to school ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
28. ______________________________________________________, Kyle watches his
favorite T.V. show.
29. Chris went to the mall _________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
30. ______________________________________________________, Brandon won the
contest.
31. Stephanie will go to college ______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
32. ______________________________________________________, Michael does his
homework.
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33. Connor goes to football practice __________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
34. ______________________________________________________, Dana raised her
hand.
35. Maya took her SAT’s ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
36. ______________________________________________________, Samantha talks
to her friend on the phone.
37. Claire went to the beach _______________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
38. ______________________________________________________, Tyla went to a
friend’s house.
39. Jeremy went to McDonald’s after school ___________________________________
______________________________________________________________________.
40. ______________________________________________________, Lizzie studied
for a quiz.
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More Practice:
Don’t forget the rules:
*The dependent clause must have its own subject and verb!
*If the dependent clause goes before the independent clause, it must be followed by
a comma.
*The dependent clause starts with one of the following words:
After
Even if
Since
Where as
Although
Even though
So that
Wherever
As
If
Though
Whether
As if
If only
When
While
Because
In the event that
Whenever
Unless
Before
Once
Where
Until
Directions: Write five complex sentences that begin with dependent clauses and five
complex sentences that end with dependent clauses. *You may only use these words
once each!
Dependent clauses at end:
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
Dependent clauses at beginning:
46.
47.
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48.
49.
50.
Compound-complex sentences:
Ready for a challenge? Now try joining compound and complex
sentences to create compound-complex sentences.
A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and at least
one dependent clause.
To form a compound-complex sentence, write a compound sentence and
then add a dependent clause, or you can write a complex sentence and add
an independent clause.
Examples:
Aliya and Megan ate lunch together; when they were finished, they went
to class.
(independent clause, semi-colon, dependent clause, independent clause)
After Alex and Parveen got home from school, Alex called Parveen on the
phone; they made plans to see a movie.
(dependent clause, independent clause, semi-colon, independent clause)
Jonathan and Nick are good friends; whenever one of them needs help,
the other will be there.
(IC, semi-colon, DC, IC)
Megan needed help with a project, so she asked Victoria if she would meet
her in the library.
(IC, coordinating conjunction, IC, DC)
Because James forgot his book, he shared with Wilbert, so they could both
follow along with the class.
(DC IC , coordinating conjunction IC)
Now try some on your own. Below each sentence, write the order as in the
examples above. Example: (IC, semi-colon, DC, IC)
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51.
order:
52.
order:
53.
order:
54.
order:
55.
order:
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More practice with compound-complex sentences:
Write four different compound-complex sentences using coordinating
conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or , yet, so).
1. (DC, IC , coordinating conjunction IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
2. (IC
DC , coordinating conjunction IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
3. (IC , coordinating conjunction IC
DC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
4. (IC , coordinating conjunction DC, IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Write four different compound-complex sentences using semi-colons.
5. (DC, IC ; IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
6. (IC
DC
; IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
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7. (IC ; IC
DC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
8. (IC ; DC, IC)
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
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