Sentence Structures and Conjunctions: Complex & Compound-Complex Explained

Sentences by Structure: In our last lecture, we discussed Simple and Compound Sentences. Today, we will learn about Complex and Compound – Complex sentences.

 

Complex Sentence

To make a complex sentence we need one simple sentence (Independent Clause) and one subordinate clause (Dependent Clause).

Structures:

[Graphic showing: 1 Independent Clause/Simple Sentence $\leftrightarrow$ 1 Dependent Clause/Subordinate Clause]

Example: I missed the exam as I was late.

[Graphic showing: 1 Dependent Clause/Subordinate Clause $\leftrightarrow$ 1 Independent Clause/Simple Sentence]

Example: As I was late, I missed the class.

Let’s check out some more examples! I will underline the subordinate clauses for you.

• Ambia ate pancakes while he read the newspaper.
• Although Ambia was late, she did not miss the lecture.

Sentences can start with either the independent clause or the subordinate clause.

Notice that if the subordinate clause comes first, you must add a comma. If the independent clause comes first, you do not need a comma.

*In our last class, we learned about coordinating conjunctions. Today, we will learn subordinating conjunctions.

 

Subordinating Conjunctions:

Subordinating conjunctions, also called subordinators, introduce a dependent clause and tie it to an independent clause. A subordinating conjunction can appear at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. EXAMPLES:

• You cannot leave because I will be unhappy.
• After the movie had started, more people came in. (Notice the comma separating the clauses).
• More people came in after the movie had started.

A subordinating conjunction causes the clause that it appears in to become dependent. In other words, it will be a sentence fragment unless it is joined to an independent clause.

EXAMPLES:

• You are my favorite brother. (sentence)
• Even though you are my favorite brother (fragment)
• Even though you are my favorite brother, I am going to tell Mom. (sentence)
• The owner is bigger than you. (sentence)
• Unless the owner is bigger than you (fragment)
• You can sit in that car unless the owner is bigger than you. (sentence)

Essential Clauses

An essential clause, also called adjective clause, is a type of a dependent clause being part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb. Complex sentences can be represented with essential clauses, usually coming between the subject and the predicate of the independent clause.

EXAMPLES:

• Saba, whose phone had been stolen, filed a police report. [Complex Sentence]
  • Saba filed for a police report [independent clause]
  • whose phone had been stolen [dependent/essential clause]
• The book that the teacher gave us to read has 500 pages. [Complex Sentence]
  • The book has 500 pages [independent clause]
  • that the teacher gave us to read [dependent/essential clause]

 

A list of common Subordinating Conjunctions:

• Although
• Though
• Even Though
• If
• As
• Since
• While
• Once
• Because
• So that
• Before
• After
• Until
• Unless
• Provided that
• Whereas

Here are examples of their use;

Although

Although—means “although “:

• Although it was raining, I ran home.
• He came to work although he felt sick.
• Although my mum told me to come home early, I stayed out late.

After

After—shows “subsequently to the time when”:

• Call me after you arrive at the station.
• We couldn’t see the film after the electricity went out.
• After she arrives, you can join her.

Before

Before—shows “earlier than the time that”:

• He had written a novel before he died.
• Before he contacted me, I was going to call him.
• I need to finish the report before the manager arrives from Paris.

Because

Because—means “for the reason that”:

• He became rich because he was smart and worked hard.
• They stopped building the house because it was raining hard.
• I love kittens because they are so cute.

If

If—means “in the event that”:

• If it is sunny tomorrow, we can go to the park.
• If I receive a promotion, you will be the first to know.
• You can watch TV if you finish your homework.

Once

Once—indicates “at the moment when”:

• Once you see him, you will recognize him.
• Once the light came on, we all shouted with joy.
• Call me once you start working.

Since

Since—means “for the reason that; because”:

• Mashrur got the promotion since he worked very hard.
• Shan does not want to live here anymore since his family is moving to a different city.
• Since Habib is very sincere, he has been elected as the leader.

So that

So that—means “in order to”:

• So that she could keep her job, she did not complain at all.
• He finished his work as fast as possible so that he could leave early.
• He worked harder for a promotion so he could buy a new car.

Until

Until—means “up to the time that”:

• Do not do anything until I come back.
• She did not know she was a talented singer until she sang in the school concert.
• They will not allow us to start until everyone arrives.

Unless

Unless—means “except, on the condition”:

• You will not pass the exam unless you work harder.
• I will not tell you anything unless you tell me what you know first.
• Unless you ask her, you will never know.

When

When—means “at that time”:

• When I came into the room, everyone looked at me.
• I woke up when my baby was crying.
• I started looking for a place to stay when I decided I wanted to live here.

Provided that

Provided that-means “if, or only if”

• We will be there at about 7.30 provided that there is a suitable train.
• Provided that there are enough seats, anyone can come on the trip.
• Provided that you help me, I will help you.

Whereas

• I enjoy watching anime whereas she enjoys watching tv series.
• Arifin loves staying up late watching movies whereas his brother falls asleep before 10 p.m. every night.
• She likes eating spicy foods whereas he can barely handle mild curry.

 

Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

• My father and I went to the movie that I had been wanting to see, and then we went to the restaurant near the theater.
  • My father and I went to the movie [independent]
  • • then we went to the restaurant near the theater [independent]
  • • I had been wanting to see that (dependent)
  • = compound-complex sentence
  • [My father and I went to the movie] (that I had been wanting to see), and [then we went to the restaurant near the theater.]
• Before they were friends, Iqbal and Sadek knew Habib, but they didn’t realize that they knew him until they met.
  • Before they were friends (dependent)
  • • Iqbal and Sadek knew Habib [independent]
  • • They did not realize [independent]
  • • that they knew her (dependent)
  • • until they met (dependent)
  • = compound-complex sentence
  • [(Before they were friends), Iqbal and Sadek knew Habib], but [they did not realize (that they knew her) (until they met).]

Common Mistakes

• Using two conjunctions together
  • Incorrect: Because I was hungry, so I ate a sandwich.
  • Correct: Because I was hungry, I ate a sandwich.
• Forgetting the subject in the dependent clause
  • Incorrect: I stayed inside because was raining.
  • Correct: I stayed inside because it was raining.
• Using an incomplete dependent clause
  • Incorrect: Although I was tired.
  • Correct: Although I was tired, I kept working.
• Using subordinating conjunctions as prepositions
  • Incorrect: I had brushed my teeth before breakfast.
  • Correct: I had brushed my teeth before I ate breakfast.