Complex sentences consist of at least two clauses: one main clause and one subordinate clause

Complex sentencesComplex sentences consist of one main clause and at least one secondary clause. As their names indicate, they are not of equal rank. The secondary clause is introduced by a particle that is called a subordinating conjunction. The main clause and the secondary clause do not have to follow a fixed order: one can start the sentence with anyone of them. The main clause can also be called independent clause, while the secondary clause is also known by the names of dependent clause and subordinate clause. In the examples that will follow, the subordinating conjunctions will be printed in boldface. Examples of complex sentences beginning with the main clause

Main clauseSecondary clause

I will come,if I have time.

He wants to do it,when she's ready.

They told us,that Mike wont be able to come.

She passed the exam,though she hadnt studied much.

She couldn't come to the party,because she was busy.

Examples of complex sentences beginning with the secondary clause

Secondary clauseMain clause

In case you decide to come,call me beforehand.

After the game finished,we went to have dinner.

While she was fixing breakfast,he got the kids ready to leave.

Unless we get some fresh capital, our company will have to close.

If you dont train,you will surely lose the fight.

Complex sentences with a relative clause

Some complex sentences contain one special type of subordinate clause. It is the one called relative clause. The subordinating particle of a relative clause is a pronoun, which is called a relative pronoun. It refers to a noun phrase present in the main clause. The relative pronoun must necessarily be placed just after this noun phrase of the main clause. The second and third examples in the table below should read respectively: The girls, who failed the test, wont have more chances, and The firm, whose plane crashed, gave a press conference. The relative pronouns in the examples below, will be shown in boldface.Examples of complex sentences with a relative clauseMain clauseRelative clause

She is the woman,that bought the Ferrari.

The girls, (RC), wont have more chances.who failed the test,

The firm, (RC), gave a press conference.whose plane crashed.

They study at a university,which was founded in 1721.

Jones mentioned the name of the manager,to whom the company gave the award.

Compound sentences

Compound sentences consist of two or more main clauses. The clauses are joined by a particle that is called a coordinating conjunction. The two clauses are of equal rank. In the examples that will follow, the coordinating conjunctions will be printed in boldface.Examples of compound sentencesMain clauseCoordinating conjunctionMain clause

I can repair your carbutit wont be ready before Friday.

Water the plants oftenandthey will grow fast.

We can go to the moviesorwe can stay home watching TV.

It rained very much,buthe went for a walk anyway.

You can cancel it all now oryou can pay it in four installments.