5. -, The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep. The complex sentence is conventionally regarded as one of the four basic sentence structures in English. ; I ate the meal that you cooked. Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy. Complex - ‘George was feeling excited, despite the darkness of the forest.’. '"—Philip Gerard, Creative Nonfiction: Researching and Crafting Stories of Real Life. An independent clause has the ability to stand alone as a sentence. Maybe you write for work. Here are some well-crafted complex sentences from literature. The independent clauses are underlined. ", "I learned a valuable lesson about cheating after I changed a mark on my report card in the third grade. All were, in a technical sense, complex sentences, because they contained subordinate clauses. Sometimes students are lost in the English writing class. He studied hard because he wanted to be a surgeon despite the fact he didn’t have enough money for med school. You can also say someone was “here” or “over there.” Since these terms are relative (their meaning depends on y… 1. Compound Sentence: (Two Main Clauses) A sentence that consists of two main or Independent Clauses is called a Compound Sentence. Oxford University Press, 2012, "[D]ependent clauses cannot be sentences on their own. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our, How to Recognize and Use Clauses in English Grammar, Definition of Compound Sentences and How to Use Them, Dependent Clause: Definition and Examples, Definition and Examples of Subordinate Clauses, 100 Key Terms Used in the Study of Grammar, French Subordinate Clause: French Grammar and Pronunciation Glossary. -. ", "[W]hen my brother got his pants leg caught on the top of a high fence and hung upside down, weeping and muttering curses because his pants were newly torn and Mother would spank him for sure, no angel was with him. Examples and Usage of Conjunctions in English Grammar, Sentence Type Basics for English Learners, Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York. 6.Although I’m not very good, I really enjoy … Wherever you go, you can always find beauty. A complex sentences has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. -, As Grainier drove along in the wagon behind a wide, slow, sand-colored mare, clusters of orange butterflies exploded off the blackish purple piles of bear sign and winked and fluttered magically like leaves without trees. Let’s break down a couple complex sentence examples into its parts. Complex sentences are referred to as an main clause and subordinate clause one sentence. A comma (sometimes semicolon) is used before the conjunction. In traditional grammar, a complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause (or main clause) and at least one dependent clause. Sentence types can also be combined. A Simple Sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate or A Simple Sentence is one which has only one Finite Verb. This page has more examples of complex sentences, a video explanation, and an interactive exercise. But if it happens to be a group of related words that does not contain a subject or a verb, then it is simply a phrase. After the tornado hit, there was very little left standing. Now that he's rich and famous, people make allowances for his idiosyncrasies. (See what we did there?) Aren't complex sentences a wonderful addition to our writing? ", "Although volume upon volume is written to prove slavery a very good thing, we never hear of the man who wishes to take the good of it by being a slave himself. ; Even though he didn’t have enough money for med school, he studied hard because he wanted to be a surgeon. Learn more. There’s only one difference. This three-part le The fun thing about this sentence is that “complex,” “houses,” and “married” can all serve as different parts of speech. But what makes a blog stand out? As she was bright and ambitious, she became a manager in no time. An independent clause is a phrase that would make sense if it were a sentence on its own, whereas a dependent clause will not form a sentence on its own. Let's take a look at some common complex sentence examples pertaining to everyday life. (Complex sentence) 5. The first two sentences in each group are simple, the third is complex. ", "The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep. A complex sentence is one with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. 3. academic and business communications) should use a variety of structures (i.e. Two minutes ago the child was fast asleep, but now he is wide awake. He is not tall enough to be a soldier. Complex Sentence Generator is a free content rewriter that can potentially rephrase, reword, paraphrase and/or rewrite sentences, paragraphs, articles, content, words and/or phrases into a more complex, unorthodox or convoluted alternative while delivering the same meaning. I really didn’t like the movie even though the acting was good. 4.Although the farmer is ready, the ground is still too wet to plow. We hope you'll have some fun with complex sentences, as you allow them to add dimension to your writing. Be mindful of your comma usage. What Is an Independent Clause in English? For an alternative definition, see Holger Diessel's remarks in Examples and Observations below. Maybe you write for school. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent and at least one dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause). Whenever prices goes up, customers buy less products. -, Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aurelian Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. Complex sentences are fascinating components of the English language. Complex sentences contain an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. I guess she just doesn’t respect you. Routledge, 1986, "Complex sentences are traditionally divided into two basic types: (i) sentences including coordinate clauses, and (ii) sentences including subordinate clauses. In each example, the independent clause is underlined. Compound sentences: 1. Because I was running late for work, I was snippy with him. When used properly, they can add depth to our writing. Form:[Noun] is [preposition] [location]. When he got a creampie smashed in his face, everyone laughed. The complex sentence is conventionally regarded as one of the four basic sentence structures in English. A sentence which contains two or more coordinate independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses is called a compound complex sentence. (Simple sentence) 7. Story Press, 1996. Even if a subject and a verb are found in a sentence, that sentence does not make mean. 2.I learned English perfectly because I studied very hard. A complex sentence is a type of sentence structure that combines an independent clause with at least one dependent or subordinate clause. The sequence of tenses in a complex sentence. Two clauses connected by relative pronouns or relative adverbs are also examples of complex sentences. "—Holger Diessel, The Acquisition of Complex Sentences. After being apart for years, he still had feelings for her. They depend on an independent clause to support them. Cambridge University Press, 2004, "Complex sentences can offer dramatic development, extending a metaphor, as Melville's Captain Ahab reminds us: 'The path to my fixed purpose is laid on iron rails, on which my soul is grooved to run. 3.Many people enjoyed the movie; however, Alex did not. With the combination of an independent and dependent clause, they add fuller description and allow us to add a little more detail in a sentence. Or maybe, like so many others, you write a blog to share your experiences with others. For us to fully understand the role of clauses in constructing complex sentences, let us take a look at the examples given below: Wrong – Because they … One kind is a relative clause, as in the [bold] parts of Jack knew the kid who shot Kennedy. I was snippy with him because I was running late for work. Even though he's thoroughly trained, he still makes a lot of mistakes. I have to save this coupon in case I come back to the store tomorrow. The other structures are the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the compound-complex sentence . When these clauses are connected to a main sentence with a conjunction or a pronoun, it can make meaning. Don’t leave the restaurant until the dishes here are washed. The actor was happy he got a part in a movie even though the part was small. (Compound sentence) 6. "Because he was so small, Stuart was often hard to find around the house. ". Since winter is coming, I think I'll knit a warm sweater, because I'm always cold. Choose the correct preposition to give the right information. In each example, the independent clause is underlined. Complex sentences are referred to as an main clause and subordinate clause one sentence. Learn to Write Complex Sentences Writing Skill: sentence fluency Lost. Put another way, a complex sentence is made up of a main clause with one or more dependent clauses joined to it with an appropriate conjunction or pronoun. Even if a subject and a verb are found in a sentence, that sentence does not make mean. Before we explore the complex sentence with Priscila, we need to review some background information. You should take your car in for a service because it's starting to make weird noises. -, Because he was so small, Stuart was often hard to find around the house. The former consist of two (or more) clauses that are functionally equivalent and symmetrical, whereas the latter consist of two (or more) clauses that constitute an asymmetrical relationship: a subordinate clause and a matrix clause do not have equal status and equal function (cf. They need specific language teaching to help them learn, develop and practice writing skills. The independent clause in a complex sentence carries the main meaning, but either clause may come first."—A. These are 17 examples of Complex Sentences. A dependent clause cannot stand alone, even though it has a subject and a verb. (Compound sentence) 9. Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy. Rule 1. Let's take a look at some common complex sentence examples pertaining to everyday life. A complex sentence contains a main clause and, at least, a subordinate clause. The clause must consist of both a subject and a verb. And make sure you get that dimension right by reviewing eight times commas were important. We automatically tend to assume that “houses” is a noun, “complex” is an adjective, and “married” is a verb, but when you realize that “complex” is a housing complex and that soldiers who are married are staying there, things make a lot more sense. Whenever you detect a pause or distinction from your independent clause, check if you need a comma. What is a Main Clause in English Grammar? When these clauses are connected to a main sentence with a conjunction or a pronoun, it can make meaning. A complex sentence consists of one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses joined together with the help of subordinating conjunction (s). 4. Complex sentences are friends and neighbors to compound sentences. Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave. 'If it's true, it's true' is an example of a complex sentence. complex sentence definition: 1. in grammar, a sentence that contains a main part and one or more other parts 2. in grammar, a…. Robert Young and Ann O. Strauch, Nitty Gritty Grammar: Sentence Essentials for Writers. Sometimes it helps to read your work aloud because you'll "hear" where a comma needs to be placed. She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged. When she was younger, she believed in fairy tales. A complex sentence can be more efficient because it can contain several ideas in the same sentence. (Complex sentence) 8. He says that she was ill. English Complex Sentences, 10 Complex Sentences in English; 1.Although my friends begged me, I chose not to go to the reunion. Let’s go back to Chez Nous because it's where we had our first date. Although my friends begged me, I chose not to go to the reunion. Complex sentence definition: a sentence containing at least one main clause and one subordinate clause | Meaning, pronunciation, translations and examples Here is 5 comlex sentences examples; 1. Adverbial Clauses The following sentences illustrate the use of (1) an adverb, (2) an adverbial phrase, (3) an adverbial clause as a modifier of the predicate verb (or verb-phrase). Complex sentences: 3. Although it was very long, the movie was still enjoyable. 5.If the ozone layer collapses, the global community will suffer. Because I had to catch the train, and as we were short on time, I forgot to pack my toothbrush for our vacation. She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged. Because I had to catch the train, and as we were short on time, I forgot to pack my toothbrush for our vacation. It consists of two Main or Independent Clauses. He says that she is ill. Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. simple, compound, and complex). The museum was very interesting, as I expected. Compound sentences contain two independent clauses — that’s all there is to it. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. "—Walter Nash, English Usage: A Guide to First Principles. They can be piled up as in Jack's the guy who shot the kid who killed Kennedy...One more common kind of subordinate clause is an adverbial clause, often stating when, how, why, or if something happened, as in the [bold] parts of these sentences: If John comes, I'm leaving, or He left because he felt ill. None of the examples just given were particularly exotic, and they could all easily have occurred in conversational speech. Complex Sentences Examples. The post (25 Examples of Complex Sentences in English) provides twenty-five (25) examples of complex sentences that you can easily find handy when looking for precise examples. As genes change over time, evolution progresses. Notes:To state the location of something or someone, a preposition is usually necessary. Priscila wants to write a blog about her vacation, and she was told that one ingredient of exceptional writing is the complex sentence. Another garden path sentence, this one depends on the fact that "complex," "houses," and … It always makes a complete thought. Cambridge University Press, 2006, "Most of the sentences we use in writing or in continuous speech are complex...There is a recurrent need to expound facts or concepts in greater elaboration than the structure of the simple sentence permits. Evergreen trees are a symbol of fertility because they do not die in the winter. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to hand the teacher the last stage. Foley and Van Valin 1984: 239)...I suggest that prototypical subordinate clauses carry the following features: they are (i) syntactically embedded, (ii) formally marked as a dependent clause, (iii) semantically integrated in a superordinate clause, and (iv) part of the same processing and planning unit as the associated matrix clause. If the verb in the principal clause is in the present or the future tense, the verb in the subordinate clause could be in any tense, depending upon the sense to be expressed. The complex houses married and single soldiers and their families. Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave. Compound - ‘George was feeling excited and it was dark in the forest.’. If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Whenever prices goes up, customers buy less products. That's the purpose of this English writing lesson. 2. All Rights Reserved. Wherever you go, you can always find good people. To clearly understand a compound complex sentence, need to review the two sentences types it is made of … ", "He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow. ", "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Spoken English tends to mainly use simple and compound sentences, but higher-level writing (e.g. "A complex sentence has a main clause, and one or more subordinate clauses, which come in various kinds. The other structures are the simple sentence, the compound sentence, and the compound-complex sentence. A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. For an alternative definition, see Holger Diessel's remarks in Examples and Observations below. Here's an example where the independent clause comes first: Here’s an example where the dependent clause comes first: To connect independent and dependent clauses, you need subordinating conjunctions like “after,” “while,” or “since.” If the dependent clause comes first, you will generally need to separate the clauses with a comma. You may also see compound sentences. "—James R. Hurford, The Origins of Grammar: Language in the Light of Evolution II. Let’s start with an independent clause, one that can stand alone: Now let’s see a dependent clause, one that does not fully express an idea: When an independent and a dependent clause join together to form a complex sentence, they can go in either order. I have got four sisters and each of them is quite different from the others. Martina laughed when her mother dropped a pie upside down on the floor. Experiences with others often hard to find around the house common complex sentence conventionally. 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