A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and a dependent clause. An independent clause is a “complete sentence”. A dependent clause is

A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and

a dependent clause.

An independent clause is a “complete sentence”.

A dependent clause is an “incomplete sentence”.

The order of dependent and independent clauses in a complex sentence can vary.

I want to be a teacher when I grow up.(“complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)

When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.(“incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence”)

dependent clause + independent clause

independent clause + dependent clause

In a complex sentence, the dependent clause must begin with a word called a

subordinating conjunction.

There are many subordinating conjunctions.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: Words used to combine dependent and Words used to combine dependent and

independent clauses in a complex sentenceindependent clauses in a complex sentence

• Rather than• Until• Unless• Whenever• Wherever• Instead of• Since• Even if• In order to • Now that• Whether

• During• While• After• By • Before• If• When• As• Because• Although• Even though


• During• Before• After• By • While• If• When• As• Because• Although• Even though

Next, you will see some examples of Next, you will see some examples of sentences that use the following sentences that use the following

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:

• During the race, she twisted her ankle.

• I like pickles because they’re sour.

• Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.

• I read my book while I waited in line.

COMPLEX SENTENCES:

(“incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )

(“complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)







NOTICE THAT SOME OF THE SENTENCES HAVE COMMAS WHILE OTHERS DO NOT.





NO COMMA

NO COMMA

COMMAS IN A COMPLEX SENTENCE:USE A COMMA WHEN THE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION

COMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE.



***The comma separates the dependent clause from the independent clause***




•I read my book while I waited in line.

NO COMMA is needed because the subordinating conjunction (because) is not used at the beginning of the sentence.

NO COMMA is needed because the subordinating conjunction (while) is not used at the beginning of the sentence.

COMPLEX SENTENCE Version 1--the DEPENDENT clause comes first:

( “incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )

• During the game,she cheered loudly.


COMPLEX SENTENCE Version 2—the INDEPENDENT clause comes first:

( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)

•She cheered loudly during the game.


COMPLEX SENTENCES:


( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence” )

• During the game,she cheered loudly.

•She cheered loudly during the game.



During the game,she cheered loudly.A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (during) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

She cheered loudly during the game.A comma IS NOT needed because the subordinating conjunction (during) is NOT used at the beginning of the sentence.

COMPLEX SENTENCE Version 1--the DEPENDENT clause comes first:


• While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.

( dependent clause + independent clause)

COMPLEX SENTENCE Version 2—the INDEPENDENT clause comes first:


•Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.


COMPLEX SENTENCES:



• While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.

•Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.



While she worked, Ann whistled a

happy tune. A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (while) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked. A comma IS NOT needed because the

subordinating conjunction (while) is NOT used at the beginning of the sentence.

After lunch, I will take a nap.A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (after) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

I will take a nap after lunch.NO COMMA

By working hard, you can become

a very successful person. A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (by) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

You can become a very successful

person by working hard. NO COMMA

Before you go to bed,be sure to

brush your teeth.

Be sure to brush your teeth

before you go to bed. NO COMMA

If I had a million dollars, I would

buy a beautiful mansion.

I would buy a beautiful mansion

if I had a million dollars. NO COMMA

When you graduate high school ,

we will have a big celebration.

We will have a big celebration

when you graduate high school.NO COMMA

As soon as you get your driver’s license , I will buy you a car.

I will buy you a car as soon as you

get your driver’s license. NO COMMA

Because he was sick, he had to

miss school.

He had to miss school because he

was sick. NO COMMA

Although he never admitted it,

his mom knew he had broken the vase.

His mom knew he had broken the vase

although he never admitted it. NO COMMA

Even though it was raining ,

I still went for a walk.

I still went for a walk even though

it was raining. NO COMMA

Until you do your homework,

you aren’t allowed to play video games.

You aren’t allowed to play video games

until you do your homework. NO COMMA

Unless you clean your room,

you can’t go to the movies.

You can’t go to the movies

unless you clean your room. NO COMMA

Whenever it sees a dog,

the cat hides in the bushes.

The cat hides in the bushes

whenever it sees a dog. NO COMMA

Wherever you are, I promise that

I will be thinking of you.

I promise that I will be thinking of you

wherever you are. NO COMMA

Since you like to shop, I will take

you to the mall for your birthday.

I will take you to the mall for your

birthday since you like to shop. NO COMMA

Even if there’s a thunderstorm,

we will still have to go to school.

We will still have to go to school

even if there’s a thunderstorm.NO COMMA

In order to paint the house,

you will need to hire a painter.

You will need to hire a painter

in order to paint the house.NO COMMA

Now that you’re taller, you can ride the roller

coaster.

You can ride the roller coaster

now that you’re taller. NO COMMA

A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and

a dependent clause.

An independent clause is a “complete sentence”.

A dependent clause is an “incomplete sentence”.

In a complex sentence, the dependent clause must begin with a word called a

subordinating conjunction.

There are many subordinating conjunctions.

EXAMPLES OF COMMON EXAMPLES OF COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

• During• While• After• By • Before• If• When• As• Because• Although• Even though






***The comma separates the dependent clause from the independent clause***

EXERCISE #1Determine whether or not the sentence is a complex sentence.

I loved playing with blocks

when I was in kindergarten.

(Hint) Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the

sentence is complex. A complex sentence must have:

1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)

1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)

1 subordinating conjunction


I loved playing with blocks

when I was in kindergarten.

This sentence has:




IT IS A COMPLEX SENTENCE.


I love going to the beach on sunny days.

(Hint) Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the

sentence is complex. A complex sentence must have:





I love going to the beach on sunny days.

This sentence ONLY has:




IT IS NOT A COMPLEX SENTENCE.

***Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following

sentences are complex. A complex sentence must have:




1.Now that you’ve arrived, we can start the show.

2.The sick child stayed in bed all day long.

3.She chose to read a book rather than take a nap.






1.Now that you’ve arrived, we can start the show.

2.The sick child stayed in bed all day long.

3.She chose to read a book rather than take a nap.






1.The kitten played with the toy mouse all morning.

2.By next year, I will have enough money to buy a car.

3.My mom baked a delicious chocolate cake.

Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following





1.The kitten played with a toy mouse all morning.

2.By next year, I will have enough money to buy a car.

3. My mom baked a delicious chocolate cake.

EXERCISE #2-All of the following are complex sentences. -Determine whether or not a comma is needed. -Place the comma in the correct place. (if needed)• 1. Since you cooked dinner I will do the dishes.

• 2. I’m going home because it’s getting late.

• 3. During the storm we lost all electrical power.

• 4. Although we argue a lot I still like you.

• 5. Let’s play tag after you finish your homework.

EXERCISE #2*If the subordinating conjunction is used AT THE BEGINNING of a complex

sentence, a comma IS REQUIRED.• 1. Since you cooked dinner, I will do the dishes.

• 2. I’m going home because it’s getting late.

• 3. During the storm, we lost all electrical power.

• 4. Although we argue a lot, I still like you.

• 5. Let’s play tag after you finish your homework.

EXERCISE #3-Complete the following complex sentences. -Place a comma in the correct place. (if needed)

• 1. You can’t go until___________________.

• 2. _______________ before dinnertime.

• 3. Even though she was upset____________.

• 4. __________________________if you want.

• 5. Whenever you’re ready________________.

INDEPENDENT PRACTICE INDEPENDENT PRACTICE USE THESE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS USE THESE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

TO CREATE YOUR OWN COMPLEX SENTENCES:TO CREATE YOUR OWN COMPLEX SENTENCES:

1. During2. While3. After4. By 5. Before6. If7. When8. As9. Because10. Although11. Even though

12. Rather than13. Until14. Unless15. Whenever16. Wherever17. Instead of18. Since19. Even if20. In order to 21. Now that22. Whether

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A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and a dependent clause. An independent clause is a “complete sentence”. A dependent clause is