Complex Sentences:step-by-step introduction

by Arief Firdaus

Main Clause & Sub Clause• A complex sentence contains at least two clauses: a main clause

and a subordinate clause.• A subordinate clause, which is dependent on the main clause for its

meaning, may function in a sentence as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.– an Adjective Clause (relative clause) usually begins with a pronoun, such

as who, whom, whose, that, which, were, or when, and immediately follows the noun or pronouns it describes.

– An Adverb Clause begins with adverbial conjunction, such as because, although, if, or while, and is frequently found at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

– A Noun Clause begins with the word that or question word, such as why, what, or how, and function in a sentence in any of the ways that a noun can.

Main Clause or Sub Clause?______1. it started to rain______2. after the runner fell down______3. before the telephone was invented______4. she left because of you______5. what you said to me______6. a singer performed after dinner______7. she has been crying a lot______8. exercise promotes health______9. that apples are very nutritious______10. winning is not everything______11. whom he saw at the theater______12. walking develop leg muscles______13. while the choir was singing______14. if prices continue to climb______15. they arrived after the deadline

Sub Clause or Phrase?_____1. before finishing dinner_____2. if the doctors operate soon_____3. whom the committee chose_____4. after the last class_____5. as the sun set behind the hill_____6. standing in the long line_____7. exercising every morning_____8. which the driver hit_____9. during the president’s talk_____10.that he had gone bankrupt_____11.a self-correcting type writer_____12.what he did during the holidays_____13.as soon as it is over_____14. an inexpensive Japanese model_____15.driving 120 kilometers per hour

Sub Clause, Main Clause, or Phrase?______1. the water is used for irrigation______2. which is used to make chewing gum______3. a famous talk show host______4. her hopes for the future______5. the population increased greatly______6. a brain infection causing jerking______7. the fourth largest city of Indonesia______8. several different writing systems______9. when the radio was invented______10.the first ships were only logs______11.walking burns many calories______12.alligators living in Florida______13. mollusks live in shell for protection______14. a boat floating down the river______15. staying busy makes the time fly