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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
o 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.
o 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.
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.
No!
o I have loved you for years although I never
admitted it.
OK
Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions
See Foundations First, p. 187
after
now that
that
where
although 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
even if
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
You now know everything you need to know
o to write anything you want to write,
o any way you want to write it,
o and still get the punctuation right each time!