Compound and Complex Sentences

A brief review

Complex Sentences

Complex sentences have one independent and one or more dependent clauses. Dependent clauses are introduced by subordinators.

Common subordinators

Time

when

while

as soon as

whenever

before

after

More Subordinators

Contrast Cause

Although Since Even though Because while

Examples

1. After the sun dipped below the

horizon, the clouds began to turn pink and purple.

2. Plants are important because they turn the sun’s energy into food.

3. As soon as Claudia finished her test, she met her friends in the cafeteria.

Compound Sentences

II. Compound sentences have two or more independent clauses connected by a coordinate conjunction or a transition word.

Coordinate conjunctions

The coordinate conjunctions are:

and , but , so, yet, for, nor, or.

Examples

It was a cold , rainy , windy day, but we decided to go to the beach.

Martin wanted to learn new skills and get a better job, so he decided to come to college.

Common Transition words

However in additionNevertheless furthermoreTherefore moreoverConsequently for exampleAs a result indeed

Examples

My neighbors were not able to pay there mortgage; as a result, they had to sell their house.

San Francisco is a beautiful, exciting city; however, it is a very expensive place to live.