What is a Complex Sentence?

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on complex sentences. In the world of grammar, sentences come in various forms, ranging from simple to complex structures. Understanding complex sentences is essential for effective communication, both in writing and speaking.

A complex sentence, as the name suggests, is a combination of two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions (like "and," "but," and "so") or subordinating conjunctions (like "because," "while," and "although"). These clauses work together to convey a more intricate idea or thought than a simple sentence can.

Now that we have a basic understanding of complex sentences, let's delve into their components and explore the different ways they can be constructed.

What is a Complex Sentence

A complex sentence combines ideas.

• Two or more independent clauses
• Joined by conjunctions
• Expresses complex thoughts
• Subordinating conjunctions
• Coordinating conjunctions
• Dependent and independent clauses
• Comma or semicolon
• Variety in writing
• Clear and concise
• Avoid comma splices

Complex sentences add depth and sophistication to your writing.

Two or More Independent Clauses

A complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.

For example:

• The cat sat on the mat.
• The dog chased the ball.

Each of these sentences has a subject (cat, dog), a verb (sat, chased), and expresses a complete thought. Now, let's combine these two independent clauses to form a complex sentence:

The cat sat on the mat while the dog chased the ball.

In this complex sentence, we have two independent clauses joined by the subordinating conjunction "while." The first clause, "The cat sat on the mat," describes the cat's action, while the second clause, "the dog chased the ball," describes the dog's action. The conjunction "while" shows the relationship between these two actions, indicating that the cat was sitting on the mat at the same time as the dog was chasing the ball.

Here's another example:

• I love chocolate.
• It is my favorite dessert.

We can combine these two independent clauses using the coordinating conjunction "and":

I love chocolate and it is my favorite dessert.

In this complex sentence, the conjunction "and" joins the two independent clauses, showing that both statements are true about the speaker's love for chocolate.

By combining independent clauses with conjunctions, complex sentences allow us to express more complex and nuanced ideas in our writing and speaking.

Joined by Conjunctions

In a complex sentence, the independent clauses are joined by conjunctions. Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses to show a relationship between them.

• Coordinating conjunctions
  

  Coordinating conjunctions connect two or more independent clauses of equal grammatical rank. The most common coordinating conjunctions are:

  • and
  • but
  • or
  • nor
  • for
  • so
  • yet
• Subordinating conjunctions
  

  Subordinating conjunctions join an independent clause to a dependent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Subordinating conjunctions include:

  • after
  • although
  • as
  • because
  • before
  • if
  • since
  • so that
  • that
  • though
  • unless
  • until
  • when
  • where
  • while
• Correlative conjunctions
  

  Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together to connect words, phrases, or clauses. Common correlative conjunctions include:

  • both ... and
  • either ... or
  • neither ... nor
  • not only ... but also
  • whether ... or
• Conjunctive adverbs
  

  Conjunctive adverbs are adverbs that also function as conjunctions. They connect two clauses while also expressing a relationship between them. Common conjunctive adverbs include:

  • however
  • moreover
  • nevertheless
  • otherwise
  • still
  • then
  • therefore

By using different types of conjunctions, we can create complex sentences that express a variety of relationships between ideas.

Expresses Complex Thoughts

Complex sentences are used to express complex thoughts and ideas. They allow us to combine multiple pieces of information into a single sentence, showing the relationships between them.

For example, consider the following sentence:

The cat sat on the mat, and the dog chased the ball.

This sentence is a compound sentence, which is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. The two clauses are simple in structure, each expressing a single idea. However, when we combine them into a complex sentence, we can express a more complex thought:

While the cat sat on the mat, the dog chased the ball.

This complex sentence uses the subordinating conjunction "while" to show the relationship between the two clauses. We understand that the cat sitting on the mat and the dog chasing the ball are happening at the same time. The complex sentence conveys a more nuanced idea than the compound sentence.

Complex sentences are also used to show cause and effect, contrast, and other logical relationships between ideas. For example:

• Cause and effect: Because the cat was hungry, it ate the food.
• Contrast: The cat is small, but the dog is large.
• Comparison: The cat is just as lazy as the dog.
• Purpose: The cat sat on the mat in order to watch the birds.
• Result: The dog was so excited that it ran around the yard.

By using complex sentences, we can express our thoughts and ideas in a more precise and sophisticated way.

Complex sentences are an essential tool for effective communication. They allow us to convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are a type of conjunction that joins a dependent clause to an independent clause. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Subordinating conjunctions show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

• Time: after, before, since, until, when, while

These conjunctions show when one event happened in relation to another.

• After the cat ate its food, it took a nap.
• Before the dog went for a walk, it wagged its tail.

These conjunctions show why one event happened.

• The cat purred because it was happy.
• The dog barked so that its owner would let it inside.

These conjunctions show that two things are different or opposite.

• Although the cat was small, it was very brave.
• Even though the dog was tired, it chased the ball.

These conjunctions show why something was done.

• The cat climbed the tree in order to catch the bird.
• The dog wagged its tail so that its owner would pet it.

By using subordinating conjunctions, we can create complex sentences that show the relationships between ideas in a clear and concise way.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions are a type of conjunction that joins two or more independent clauses of equal grammatical rank. Independent clauses can stand alone as sentences, but they can be joined together by a coordinating conjunction to create a compound sentence.

• And: The cat sat on the mat and the dog chased the ball.

This conjunction shows that two events happened at the same time or in sequence.

This conjunction shows that two things are in contrast or opposition to each other.

This conjunction shows that one thing or another can happen, but not both.

This conjunction shows that two negative statements are true.

This conjunction shows that one thing is the reason for another thing.

This conjunction shows that one thing is the result of another thing.

This conjunction shows that two things are in contrast, but the second thing is unexpected or surprising.

By using coordinating conjunctions, we can create compound sentences that combine related ideas into a single sentence.