Complex Sentences

WHAT ARE COMPLEX SENTENCES?
Complex sentences are made up of two clauses—an independent clause and a

dependent clause.
Independent clauses are similar to simple sentences. They can stand alone
and function as a sentence:
 We didn't pass the test.

 Angela won the competition.
Dependent clauses, however, need to be used together with an independent

clause. Here are some dependent clauses with independent clauses. Notice
how they seem incomplete:
 Although he is ready.
 When it is done.
Independent clauses are combined with dependent clauses to make sense.
 We'll go to the bank because we need some money.

 As soon as we land, I'll give you a call.
Notice that dependent clauses can come first. In this case, we use a comma.
 Before she comes, we'll eat some lunch.

 Because he's late for work, he took a taxi.
Writing Complex Sentences Using Subordinating

Conjunctions
Complex sentences are written by using subordinating conjunctions to connect
the two clauses.
Showing Opposition or Unexpected Results
Use these three subordinating conjunctions to show that there is a pro and
con or to contrast statements.
although / even though / though
 Although I felt he was wrong, I decided to trust him.

 Sharon started looking for a new job even though she was currently
employed.
 Though I couldn't understand a word, we had a great time!
Showing Cause and Effect
To give reasons use these conjunctions that keep the same meaning.
because / since / as
 Since you need some help, I'll come over this afternoon.
 Henry felt he needed to take some time off because he had been
working so hard.
 The parents paid for extra lessons as the children were very gifted.
Expressing Time
There are a number of subordinating conjunctions that express time. Note that
the simple tense (present simple or past simple) is generally used in
dependent clauses beginning with time subordinators.
when / as soon as / before / after / by
 By the time you get this letter, I will have left for New York.
 I used to play a lot of tennis when I was a teenager.
 We had a wonderful dinner after she had arrived.
Expressing Conditions
Use these subordinators to express that something depends on a condition.
if / unless / in the case that
 If I were you, I would take my time with that project.

 They won't come next week unless you ask them to do so.
 In the case that he isn't available, we'll look for another consultant.
Complex Sentence Worksheets

Provide a fitting subordinator to fill the gaps in these sentences.
1. I'm going to the bank _______ I need some money.

2. I made lunch _________ I got home.
3. ________ it's raining, she's going for a walk in the park.
4. ________ she finishes her homework soon, she will fail the class.
5. He decided to trust Tim ______ he was an honest man.
6. _______ we went to school, she decided to investigate the situation.
7. Jennifer decided to leave Tom _______ he was too worried about his
job.
8. Dennis bought a new jacket __________ he had received one as a gift
last week.
9. Brandley claims that there will be trouble _____ he doesn't complete
the job.
10.Janice will have finished the report ____ the time you receive the letter.
Answers
1. because / since / as
2. after / when / as soon as
3. although / even though / though
4. unless
6. before / when
8. although / even though / though
9. if / in the case that
10.by
Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc.) to connect

the sentences into one complex sentence.
1. Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him.

2. It was raining outside. We went for a walk.
3. Jenny needs to ask me. I will buy it for her.
4. Yvonne played golf extremely well. She was very young.
5. Franklin wants to get a new job. He is preparing for job interviews.
6. I'm writing a letter, and I'm leaving. You will find it tomorrow.
7. Marvin thinks he will buy the house. He just wants to know what his
wife thinks.
8. Cindy and David had breakfast. They left for work.
9. I really enjoyed the concert. The music was too loud.
10.Alexander has been working sixty hours a week. There is an important
presentation next week.
11. I usually work out at the gym early in the morning. I leave for work at
eight a.m.
12. The car was extremely expensive. Bob didn't have much money. He
bought the car.
13. Dean sometimes goes to the cinema. He enjoys going with his friend
Doug. Doug visits once a month.
14. I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet. It allows me to
watch what I want when I want.
15. Sometimes it happens that we have a lot of rain. I put the chairs on the
patio in the garage when we have rain.
There are other variations that are possible than those provided in the
answers. Ask your teacher for other ways to connect these to write complex
sentences.
1. As Henry needs to learn English, I will teach him.

2. We went for a walk even though it was raining.
3. If Jenny asks me, I will buy it for her.
4. Yvonne played golf extremely well when she was young.
5. Because Franklin wants to get a new job, he is preparing for job
interviews.
6. I'm writing you this letter which you will find after I leave.
7. Unless his wife doesn't like the house, Marvin will buy it.
8. After Cindy and David had eaten breakfast, they left for work.
9. I really enjoyed the concert although the music was too loud.
10.As Alexander has an important presentation next week, he has been
working sixty hours a week.
11. I usually work out at the gym before I leave for work at eight.
12. Though Bob didn't have much money, he bought the extremely
expensive car.
13. If Doug visits, they go to the cinema.
14. Since it allows me to watch what I want when I want, I prefer to watch
TV by streaming over the internet.
15. If it rains a lot, I put the chairs on the patio in the garage.
Read the following sentences and state whether they are simple, complex or compound
1. The girl looked at her brother and smiled.
2. Janet went to the library to borrow some books.
3. The water was so cold that we could not swim in it.

4. The little girl started crying when she couldn’t find her toy.
5. I live in a large city.
6. As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out.
8. His crude remarks offended me.
9. Jane and Alice had their dinner and went for a walk.
11. The customers were happy because they got what they wanted.
12. The meeting was held in a room near the library.

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WHAT ARE COMPLEX SENTENCES?

Complex sentences are made up of two clauses—an independent clause and a

 We didn't pass the test.

Dependent clauses, however, need to be used together with an independent

Independent clauses are combined with dependent clauses to make sense.

 We'll go to the bank because we need some money.

 Before she comes, we'll eat some lunch.

Writing Complex Sentences Using Subordinating

although / even though / though

 Although I felt he was wrong, I decided to trust him.

Showing Cause and Effect

Use these subordinators to express that something depends on a condition.

if / unless / in the case that

 If I were you, I would take my time with that project.

Complex Sentence Worksheets

1. I'm going to the bank _______ I need some money.

Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc.) to connect

1. Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him.

1. As Henry needs to learn English, I will teach him.

1. The girl looked at her brother and smiled.

2. Janet went to the library to borrow some books.

3. The water was so cold that we could not swim in it.

5. I live in a large city.

6. As soon as the bell rang, the children rushed out.

8. His crude remarks offended me.

12. The meeting was held in a room near the library.

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