Download Complex Sentences

How to Write Complex Sentences
Complex sentences allow you to clearly and concisely express the relationship between two ideas, and
they are especially helpful when you are trying to establish a connection between two or more different but
related thoughts.
Definitions:
A simple sentence consists of only one set of subjects and verbs.
A compound sentence consists of two simple sentences joined by
a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
A complex sentence consists of a simple or compound sentence
joined with a subordinate clause at the beginning or the end.
A subordinate clause consists of a subordinating conjunction
followed by a subject and a verb. A subordinate clause is never a
complete sentence on its own. It must be paired with a complete
sentence. When a subordinate clause begins a sentence, it is set off
from the main part of the sentence with a comma.
.
Examples:
Simple Sentence
S
V
S
V
John clearly explained his idea. Mary did not fully understand it.
Compound Sentence
S
V
S
V
John clearly explained his idea, but Mary did not fully understand it.
Complex Sentence
SC
(S)
(V)
S
V
Although John clearly explained his idea, Mary did not fully understand it.
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as soon as
as though
because
before
even if
even though
if
in order that
once
provided that
since
so that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
whether
while