Name: _____________________________________________ Block: _________
Now that we are experts at the compound sentence, it’s time to move on to the complex sentence. The complex sentence is actually pretty simple, but it’ll require a whole mess of complicated explanation before we get there, so get ready. The complex sentence—like the compound sentence—is a way of joining two sentences. With compound sentences, we join sentences with conjunctions, the FANBOYS words. With complex sentences, we join sentences with words called subordinating conjunctions. Rather than worry about all the subordinating conjunctions, we’ll work with sixteen of the most common. Here they are: after although as as if as long as because before
if since so that though unless until
when
while
Next we need to learn how to form subordinate clauses. A subordinate clause is a sentence with a subordinating conjunction (one of the fifteen words in our list) added to the front.
Sutton married Rex = sentence
After Sutton married Rex = subordinate clause
We start with a sentence, and by adding a word we end up with less than a sentence. After Sutton married Rex is not a complete thought, and it cannot stand by itself; it must be attached to another sentence.
EXAMPLE A: Everyone applauded after Sutton married Rex .
EXAMPLE B: After Sutton married Rex , everyone applauded.
Both example A and example B consist of two parts: one part is the complete sentence that can stand by itself; the other part is the subordinate clause that attaches to the sentence. You can see from the examples that the subordinate clause (in bold print) can attach to the sentence either at the front or at the end.
If we let SV+ (subject verb plus other words) stand for the sentence, and we let SC stand for the subordinate clause, we can construct two different formulas for the complex sentence:
EXAMPLE A: SV+SC (sentence subordinate clause)
EXAMPLE B: SC,SV+ (subordinate clause, sentence) over—over—over—over—over—over—over—over—over—over

PP #7—page 2
Notice also that the example B formula contains a comma, but the example A formula does not. So when you place a subordinate clause in front of a sentence, use a comma; when you place a subordinate clause at the end of a sentence, don’t use a comma.
ASSIGNMENT:
We’ll start with something easy. Just to drive home the point that complex sentences can always be flip-flopped, we’ll do some copying. The first three complex sentences are written in the
SV+SC pattern. You rewrite them in the SC,SV+ pattern and underline the subordinate clause in each sentence. Remember to add a comma.
EXAMPLE: Rex had only one dog food bowl before he married Sutton . becomes >
Before he married Sutton , Rex had only one dog food bowl.
1. Sutton was happy as long as she was with Rex.
2. Rex growled when he saw Sutton looking at the neighboring husky.
3. Sutton stopped wagging her tail after she heard Rex growl.
(#4-6) Now the sentences will begin in the SC,SV+ pattern. You rewrite them in the SV+SC pattern.
Underline the subordinate clause in each sentence, and don’t use commas.
EXAMPLE: Since she has two dogs , Mary has to buy more dog food. John Paul Jones becomes >
Mary has to buy more dog food since she has two dogs.
4. Since Rex grew jealous, Sutton could no longer run in the backyard without Rex.
5. Although Rex was in the dog house for his jealousy, Sutton still loved Rex.
6. Because the husky created so many problems for Sutton and Rex, the husky ran away from home.