Grammar Sentence Structures 2022-09-12 00:00

Complex Sentence: Definition, Explanation, Types And Examples

Complex sentences

There are four categories of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Each type of sentence has its own essential ingredients.

For the complex sentence, those ingredients are an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

As you continue reading, I’ll show you how you can mix those two ingredients (the independent and dependent clauses) in different ways to whip up complex sentences.

Contents:
  1. What are Complex Sentences?
  2. What are Independent and Dependent Clauses?
  3. How to Create Complex Sentences
  4. What’s The Difference Between Complex and Compound Sentences?
  5. What’s The Difference Between Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences?

What are Complex Sentences?

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and a dependent clause. Here’s an example of a complex sentence:

Because my pizza was cold, I put it in the microwave.

This sentence has an independent clause (“I put it in the microwave”) and a dependent clause (“Because my pizza was cold”) so it’s a complex sentence.

Before we get further into examples of complex sentences, let’s do a quick refresher on clauses.

What is a complex sentence

What are Independent and Dependent Clauses?

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

The difference between independent and dependent clauses is this: an independent clause can stand alone as a sentence and a dependent clause cannot.

What Is an Independent Clause?

An independent clause is a simple sentence. Those two terms, independent clause and simple sentence, mean the same thing.

An independent clause includes a subject and a verb, and expresses a complete thought—just like a simple sentence does.

An independent clause makes sense on its own. In these examples, the subjects and verbs are in bold.

  • I had a rough start to my birthday today.
  • I slept through my alarm.
  • My boss was angry about my subsequent late arrival.
  • Someone stole my lunch from the office fridge!
  • No one even brought a cake to celebrate my birthday.

What is an independent clause

What Is A Dependent Clause?

A dependent clause also contains a subject and a verb, but does not express a complete thought.

It depends on connection to an independent clause to make sense. Another name for a dependent clause is subordinate clause.

A dependent clause often starts with a subordinating conjunction, a word which establishes a relationship between the information in the subordinating clause and the independent clause it is connected to.

These relationships include cause/effect, time, place, condition, comparison, and concession.

In these examples of dependent clauses, the subjects and verbs are in bold, and the subordinating conjunctions are highlighted.

  • Because I left work late
  • Since it was dark when I got back to my house
  • While I was careful to observe my surroundings
  • As soon as I opened the door

Did you notice the difference between these examples and the independent clauses?

With the independent clauses, we know what’s happening by the end of the sentence. This poor person, let’s call her Joanne, has had a lousy day.

With the dependent clauses, we are “left hanging,” and it seems as if Joanne’s day may have gotten even worse!

I wish we could find out if she at least got home safely on her forgotten birthday!

What is a dependent clause

Actually, I think I have a solution. We can use those dependent clauses as one of the ingredients in our about-to-be-created complex sentences. Then we’ll get the complete story.

How to Create Complex Sentences

Complex sentences include an independent and at least one dependent clause.

Though the dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, it does add to the meaning of the independent clause.

In a complex sentence, the independent and dependent clauses can be put together in a variety of ways. For example:

Dependent followed by independent: In this format, put a comma after the dependent clause.

  • Because I left work late, I just wanted to get home and relax.

(The dependent clause tells us why Joanne wanted to get home)

Independent followed by dependent: In this format, no comma is needed.

  • I was feeling extra stressed and tired since it was dark when I got back to my house.

(The dependent clause tells us why Joanne was extra stressed and tired)

Dependent both before and after independent: In this format, a comma is required after the first dependent clause.

  • While I was careful to observe my surroundings, I almost tripped walking up to my door since I couldn’t see in the darkness.

(The dependent clause establishes a relationship of contrast with the independent clause)

Two dependents followed by an independent clause: In this format, put a comma after each dependent clause.

  • As soon as I opened the door, and after I had kicked off my shoes, I had a sense that someone was in my house.

(The dependent clauses tell us when Joanne experienced that sense)

Do you see how those ingredients work together to create a complete thought?

While the independent clause doesn’t need the dependent clause to survive as a sentence, the dependent clause adds to the meaning of that dependent clause.

Here are a couple more examples to let you know what ultimately happened at the end of Joanne’s lousy day.

Take notice of their respective structures—the order of the independent (IC) and dependent clauses (DC), and where the commas (if needed) appear.

  • I continued to walk down the hallway even though I was quite scared. (IC-DC)
  • After letting out what I thought was an intimidating yell, I was greeted by five of my close friends yelling “Surprise!” (DC, IC)
  • We all had a good laugh because of my lame attempt to scare away the “bad guys.” (IC-DC)
  • Since my friends gifted me with a lovely surprise and chocolate cake, even though my birthday started out terribly, it ended in the best way possible. (DC, DC, IC)

Happy Birthday Joanne! To celebrate, I’ll show you one more way to structure a complex sentence.

Using A Dependent Clause to Interrupt an Independent Clause in a Complex Sentence

All the examples so far have shown complex sentences that include an independent clause and a dependent clause placed one after the other in one order or another.

But sometimes, a dependent clause can be put right in the middle of an independent clause. In this format, the dependent clause should be surrounded with commas.

How do you write a complex sentence

In these examples, the dependent clause is in bold. If you remove it from the sentence, you’re left with an independent clause.

  • The dog, because he was so friendly, was adopted quickly.
  • The meal, even though it was exceptional, was expensive.
  • The students, whatever their skill levels, all showed improvement.

What’s The Difference Between Complex and Compound Sentences?

Complex sentences versus compound sentences

While a complex sentence includes an independent and at least one dependent clause, a compound sentence includes two independent clauses.

In a compound sentence, the independent clauses can either be joined with a semicolon or with a comma + coordinating conjunction combination.

Examples of Compound Sentences Using Semicolons

A semicolon has the combined power of both a period and a comma. It is strong enough to create a stop—a distinction—between two independent clauses, but is more gentle than a period.

The semicolon doesn’t create a full stop; it maintains a connection between the clauses, which is where you see its comma function.

You would use a semicolon when your independent clauses are closely related and you don’t want to create a full stop between them.

  • I took a walk today; the fresh autumn air was invigorating.
  • The leaves created a rainbow of colors; the foliage was enchanting.
  • I returned home feeling both calm and energized; the beauty of nature is truly special.

Examples of Compound Sentences Using Coordinating Conjunctions + Comma

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses that are of equal value, such as two independent clauses.

Each of those clauses can stand on its own as a sentence.

The seven coordinating conjunctions are and, but, or, nor, so, yet, for.

A coordinating conjunction + comma combination has the power to connect—to hold together—two independent clauses.

A comma alone isn’t enough and produces an error called a comma splice.

In each of the following examples, the coordinating conjunction + comma combination is in bold.

  • I ordered a salad ,but I really wanted a big bowl of spaghetti.
  • The spaghetti smelled so good ,and I can’t stop thinking about it.
  • I’m going back to that restaurant ,so I can order what I really want.

A compound sentence, unlike a complex sentence, only includes independent clauses. It does not include any dependent clauses.

What’s The Difference Between Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences?

The compound-complex sentence includes at least two independent clauses (remember: the complex sentence only has one) and one or more dependent clauses.

Complex sentences versus compound-complex sentences

Examples of Compound-Complex Sentences

In these examples, the independent clauses are in bold.

  • After I ordered my spaghetti, I felt happy, and I couldn’t wait to sit down and eat!
  • I think I could eat pasta every day, even though I probably shouldn’t, and I would enjoy every bite.
  • Because I want to eat healthy and since I’ve satisfied my craving, I’ll get back to salad tomorrow, but I’ll probably be back for more spaghetti before too long!

How Complex Sentences Help Your Writing

Adding variety to your sentence structure is important to good writing. If you rely too much on one style of sentence, your work will become monotonous and take on a droning effect. No one wants that!

By understanding how complex sentences work, you can add them to your work with confidence.

And if you need a boost for your confidence while you’re still practicing, run your work through ProWritingAid’s Sentence Structure Report.

It will help you see where your sentence structure may be repetitive and offer suggestions for how to add some variety.

Although the example below provides some really interesting details, the structure is repetitive, in fact, all the sentences start with a subject.

Including complex and varied sentence structures is essential if you want to keep your reader's attention.

ProWritingAid's Structure Report

Try the Sentence Structure report with a free ProWritingAid account.

As a writer, it’s important to understand the tools of your trade. Sentence structure is one of those tools.

Take the time to notice how other writers use simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences in their work.

Observe and learn as you read and then be inspired!


Are you prepared to write your novel? Download this free book now:

The Novel-Writing Training Plan

The Novel-Writing Training Plan

So you are ready to write your novel. Excellent. But are you prepared? The last thing you want when you sit down to write your first draft is to lose momentum.

This guide helps you work out your narrative arc, plan out your key plot points, flesh out your characters, and begin to build your world.


玻璃钢生产厂家河北商场创意商业美陈品牌商场玻璃钢花盆定制西安郴州玻璃钢卡通雕塑玻璃钢雕塑信息推荐玻璃钢浮雕雕塑防火等级太原玻璃钢卡通雕塑合肥多彩玻璃钢雕塑多少钱重庆玻璃钢造型雕塑制作汉南区商场美陈制作最新报价澳门玻璃钢动物马雕塑商场美陈协议济南深圳玻璃钢动物雕塑商场美陈工厂云南玻璃钢雕塑设计多少钱河南玻璃钢浮雕动物雕塑公司湖北玻璃钢花盆厂家郑州玻璃钢卡通雕塑海南玻璃钢装饰雕塑常见商场美陈价格景区玻璃钢雕塑怎么制作枣庄动物玻璃钢雕塑厂家辽宁省玻璃钢雕塑生产厂家东营校园玻璃钢雕塑制作绵阳逼真玻璃钢座椅雕塑湘潭怀化玻璃钢雕塑厂家芜湖定做人物玻璃钢雕塑湖南创意玻璃钢雕塑多少钱澳门泡沫玻璃钢雕塑暴力熊玻璃钢雕塑图海沧园林玻璃钢雕塑哪家好香港通过《维护国家安全条例》两大学生合买彩票中奖一人不认账让美丽中国“从细节出发”19岁小伙救下5人后溺亡 多方发声单亲妈妈陷入热恋 14岁儿子报警汪小菲曝离婚始末遭遇山火的松茸之乡雅江山火三名扑火人员牺牲系谣言何赛飞追着代拍打萧美琴窜访捷克 外交部回应卫健委通报少年有偿捐血浆16次猝死手机成瘾是影响睡眠质量重要因素高校汽车撞人致3死16伤 司机系学生315晚会后胖东来又人满为患了小米汽车超级工厂正式揭幕中国拥有亿元资产的家庭达13.3万户周杰伦一审败诉网易男孩8年未见母亲被告知被遗忘许家印被限制高消费饲养员用铁锨驱打大熊猫被辞退男子被猫抓伤后确诊“猫抓病”特朗普无法缴纳4.54亿美元罚金倪萍分享减重40斤方法联合利华开始重组张家界的山上“长”满了韩国人?张立群任西安交通大学校长杨倩无缘巴黎奥运“重生之我在北大当嫡校长”黑马情侣提车了专访95后高颜值猪保姆考生莫言也上北大硕士复试名单了网友洛杉矶偶遇贾玲专家建议不必谈骨泥色变沉迷短剧的人就像掉进了杀猪盘奥巴马现身唐宁街 黑色着装引猜测七年后宇文玥被薅头发捞上岸事业单位女子向同事水杯投不明物质凯特王妃现身!外出购物视频曝光河南驻马店通报西平中学跳楼事件王树国卸任西安交大校长 师生送别恒大被罚41.75亿到底怎么缴男子被流浪猫绊倒 投喂者赔24万房客欠租失踪 房东直发愁西双版纳热带植物园回应蜉蝣大爆发钱人豪晒法院裁定实锤抄袭外国人感慨凌晨的中国很安全胖东来员工每周单休无小长假白宫:哈马斯三号人物被杀测试车高速逃费 小米:已补缴老人退休金被冒领16年 金额超20万

玻璃钢生产厂家 XML地图 TXT地图 虚拟主机 SEO 网站制作 网站优化