Writing Complex Sentences
Independent and Dependent Clauses
An independent clause contains a subject, verb, and makes
sense when it stands by itself.
o The child’s endless crying is very disturbing to her
parents.
o Colds, flu, and other respiratory infections happen
frequently in the winter and cause absences from work.
o James got a cup of coffee and turned on his computer.
Independent and Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause contains a subject(s) and verb(s), but it
does not make sense when it stands by itself because it
begins with a subordinating conjunction that is supposed to
join it to an independent clause.
o Because she has had a terrible cold all week
o When I got to the office and checked my email this
morning
o After Maria and Hector waited for an hour in the doctor’s
office
The Simple Sentence
o A simple sentence is one independent
clause.
o An independent clause ends with a
period or semicolon.
The Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple
sentences joined by one of the following:
o A comma and a coordinating conjunction
o A semicolon
o A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional
expression
Coordinating Conjunctions
Remember the coordinating conjunctions by the acronym:
FANBOYS
F
for
A
and
N
nor
B
but
O
or
Y
yet
S
so
Conjunctive Adverbs
and Transitional Expressions
A conjunctive adverb is a word that connects two independent
clauses and shows the relationship between the ideas.
o I wanted to cash my check; unfortunately, the bank was
closed.
A transitional expression is a phrase that shows that
relationship.
o I could use a job; on the other hand, I like having free
time.
Examples of Compound Sentences
o A comma and a coordinating conjunction:
I like to study grammar, and I love this class.
o A semicolon:
I like to study grammar; I love this class.
o A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or transitional
expression:
I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class.
The Complex Sentence
o A complex sentence is a complete thought (independent
clause) to which an incomplete thought (dependent clause)
has been added.
o A coordinating conjunction joins the dependent clause to
the independent clause.
o Because I like to study grammar, I love this class.
o I love this class because I like to study grammar.
Complex Sentence
Dependent clause
Because you love me, I love you.
Independent clause
The dependent clause needs the rest of the sentence
for support.
Dependent Clause
Fragment!
Because you love me.
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb.
*It does not express a complete thought because it
begins with a subordinating conjunction.
A dependent clause is also called a subordinate
clause.
*Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone.
Punctuation for Complex Sentences
Commas are used to join a dependent clause to an
independent clause if the dependent clause comes first in
the sentence. The comma must follow the dependent
clause.
As I walked down the hallway, I could hear the echo of
my footsteps.
Punctuation for Complex Sentences
No comma is used when the dependent clause comes after
the independent clause. Then, the clauses are joined
without any punctuation.
o I could hear the echo of my footsteps as I walked down
the hallway.
Punctuation for Complex Sentences
Since dependent clauses are only part of a sentence, you can
never use a semicolon to connect them to another sentence.
Semicolons are only used between complete sentences.
o I have loved you for years ; although I never admitted it.
o I have loved you for years although I never admitted it.
No!
OK
Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions
after
even if
although
that
where
even though once
though
whereas
as
if
rather than
unless
wherever
as if
whenever
since
until
whether
because
in order
that
so that
when
which
than
in case
while
before
now that
The Compound-Complex Sentence
o A compound-complex sentence is the last and most
complicated type of sentence.
o It contains at least one dependent clause and at least
two independent clauses.
Compound-Complex Sentence
Dependent clause
Because we are a family,
I love you, and you love me.
Independent clauses
A dependent clause added to two or more independent clauses.
Since every sentence in English fits into one of
these four categories,
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compoundcomplex