Complex &

Compound-complex
Sentences

“We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it long enough.”

Helen Keller
 The Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause.
Unlike a compound sentence, however, a complex sentence
contains clauses which are not equal. Consider the following
examples:
Simple
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.
Compound
My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.
Complex
Although my friend invited me to a party, I do not want to go.
 The Complex Sentence
In the first example, there are two separate simple sentences:
"My friend invited me to a party" and "I do not want to go."
The second example joins them together into a single
sentence with the coordinating conjunction "but," but both
parts could still stand as independent sentences -- they are
entirely equal, and the reader cannot tell which is most
important.
In the third example, however, the sentence has changed
quite a bit: the first clause, "Although my friend invited me to
a party," has become incomplete, or a dependent clause.
 The Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is very different from a simple sentence
or a compound sentence because it makes clear which ideas
are most important. When you write
My friend invited me to a party. I do not want to go.
or even
My friend invited me to a party, but I do not want to go.
The reader will have trouble knowing which piece of
information is most important to you. When you write the
subordinating conjunction "although" at the beginning of the
first clause, however, you make it clear that the fact that your
friend invited you is less important than, or subordinate, to
the fact that you do not want to go.
 Are these sentences?
 When we went on a long journey through the woods
on a sunny Friday morning.
 It was fine.
 Because he was not only tall but also one of the
hardest workers in the area.
 Sing that song.
(View answers on the next slide.)
 Answers!
(Dependent clause)When we went on a
long journey through the woods on a
sunny Friday morning.
(Sentence)It was fine.
(Dependent Clause)Because he was not
only tall but also one of the hardest
workers in the area.
(Sentence)Sing that song.
What is a dependent clause?
• A group of words with a subject and verb, but not
expressing a complete idea.

• Because the profits had been so great.

• Although it was late.
• Until the early hours of the morning.
• Whether they wanted to or not.
• Even if they’d rather be at home reading
the newspaper.

• A dependent clause cannot stand on its own!

 A dependent clause…

• Cannot stand on its own because it does not

express a complete thought because…
• It begins with a subordinating conjunction
– (because, although, until, whether, etc.) BUT…
• It can join an independent clause (simple sentence)
to become a…
• Complex sentence!
 The Complex Sentence
Complex sentences have a different structure from
simple and compound sentences:
Independent Clause + Dependent Clause
or
Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause
= Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains 1 independent clause and
1 or more dependent clauses. If a dependent clause
begins the sentence, there normally is a comma (,) after
it. If an independent clause begins a complex sentence
there should not be a comma after it.
 Subordinating Conjunctions
After how Until
Although if Unless
As in as much as if
in order that When as long as
At least Whenever as much as
now that whereas soon
wherever as though Since
While because so that
Before even if That
even though though
 Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains at least one independent
clause and one dependent clause.

John cannot set up his typewriter

Independent Clause

because the wall has no outlet.

Subordinating Dependent Clause

Conjunction
 An example of Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains at least one independent

clause and one dependent clause.
She will go to school in the city
Independent Clause

until she finds a job.

Subordinating Dependent Clause
Conjunction
 Complex Sentences
Use a comma after a dependent clause if it begins the
sentence.
When I first moved to the city,

Subordinating Use a comma if

Conjunction the dependent
clause is the first
part of the
sentence.

I was afraid to drive the steep and narrow streets.

Independent
Clause
 The COMPLEX Sentence

• A complex sentence contains an independent

clause and at LEAST one dependent clause.
• Both clauses in the sentence are not equal.
They can not both be dependent or
independent.

EXAMPLE:
She planted the flowers that he enjoyed
smelling.
 Complex Sentence

Bob is popular
even though

he is ugly.
 Complex Example
Although she worked hard to gain
recognition, many people did not know
who she was.

Although she worked hard to gain recognition is a dependent

clause because it begins with the subordinating
conjunction although. Many people did not know who she was
would be an independent clause, therefore making the
sentence a complex sentence.
In a complex sentence, either the dependent or the
independent clause can come first:
Even though it was late, everyone was
celebrating.
Everyone was celebrating even though it was
late.
[You do not usually need a comma
if the independent clause is first.]
 although, but, however
All of these words join clauses in
sentences, but they are different parts
of speech.
This presentation explains the impact of
the word choice on sentence pattern
and punctuation.
 although, but, however
Semantic similarity
These three words are related
semantically (in meaning):

they all signal a contrast in the

information that follows with the
information that precedes.
 although, but, however
Structural difference

However, these words differ structurally:

they are different parts of speech and

affect sentence patterns in different ways.

 parts of speech
word part of speech effect on sentence

although subordinating makes clause

conjunction dependent
but coordinating joins like things
conjunction (2 independent
clauses)
however conjunctive modifies an
adverb independent clause
 Review although, but, however

• Although makes a clause dependent and

the sentence complex.
• But joins independent clauses in a
compound sentence.
• However can join independent clauses but
does not change their independence.
 The Compound-Complex Sentence
The compound-complex sentence has the following structure:

Independent clause + coordinating conjunction + independent

clause
+ dependent clause
= compound-complex sentence

It does not have to be in that order. A dependent clause can

stand in between two independent clauses. The rule is
there should be at least two independent and at least one
dependent clause in a compound-complex sentence.
 Compound-Complex Sentences
 A compound-complex sentence is a sentence
that has at least two independent clauses and at
least one dependent clause.
 The same subordinating conjunctions are used to
introduce the dependent clauses.
 The same coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)
are used for joining the independent clauses.
 Compound-Complex Example

Although she worked hard to gain recognition, many

people did not know who she was, and her friends did
not even appreciate her work.

Here, we added an extra clause to the complex

sentence we used earlier – her friends did not even
appreciate her work. Adding this independent clause with
the coordinating conjunction and makes this a
compound-complex sentence.
 Compound/Complex
• The kitty purred softly, and she bounced on
the pillow as her master read a funny
magazine.

• The soldiers did not think they would reach

the bridge because the bridge was far away,
and they were being eaten alive by hundreds
of mosquitoes.
 Sample Compound-Complex Sentences.
After the two adversaries had spent years playing
this “cat and mouse” game, they were joined by
their children, and the fun continued.
Even though it seems the two were bent on the
other’s destruction, the cat and mouse were rather
fond of one another, and neither wanted the
other’s defeat.
This game was begun thousands of years ago, and it
will continue far into the future as other cats and
mice revel in hide-and-seek.
 Compound-Complex Sentence

Mike is popular

because

he is good looking,

but

he is not very happy.

 Compound-Complex Sentence

Mike is popular

because

he is good looking,

but

he is not very happy.