Exploring
Complex
Sentences
Today, you’ll learn how to:
Write a complex
Recognise the main
Define a complex sentence using
clause and
sentence punctuations,
dependent clause
subordinating
in a complex
conjunctions and
sentence.
coordinating
conjunctions
What is a
Complex Sentence?
A complex sentence is a type of sentence
that contains one main clause (also known
as independent clause) and at least one
dependent clause (also known as
subordinate clause).
Note that a clause is a
group of words with a
subject and a predicate.
main clause
It is a clause that gives a complete thought.
Example: The main clause
is:
I am going to read a “I am going to
book when I get read a book”
home.
Dependent Clause
It is a group of words that contains a subject
and verb but does not express a complete
thought.
Example: The dependent clause
is:
I am going to read a
“when I get
book when I get
home”
home.
Types of dependent clause
Relative Clause Example:
Gives additional detail to the noun. Mia, who was 20 minutes
early, brought snacks for
everyone.
Adverbial Clause Example:
Gives information about when, where, how, After school, my friends and
why or conditions to the main clause. I went to the nearby
bookstore.
Noun Clause Example:
A clause that can be a subject, object or His belief that hard work
identifier of the main clause. pays off is inspiring.
Main and dependent
clauses
An independent clause will
make sense as a sentence, while a
dependent clause will not.
Where’s the dependent clause?
Let’s identify the dependent clause and its type!
In the room, Stella was sleeping soundly.
Relative Adverbial Noun
Let’s Check!
Where’s the dependent clause?
Let’s identify the dependent clause and its type!
In the room, Stella was sleeping soundly.
Relative Adverbial Noun
Where’s the dependent clause?
Let’s identify the dependent clause and its type!
My neighbor, who loves cats, is a doctor.
Relative Adverbial Noun
Let’s Check!
Where’s the dependent clause?
Let’s identify the dependent clause and its type!
My neighbor, who loves cats, is a doctor.
Relative Adverbial Noun
Writing complex
sentences
Punctuations, subordinating
conjunctions and coordinating
conjunctions help make complex
sentences clear and easy to
understand.
punctuations
Punctuation marks guide the flow and
meaning of complex sentences.
Some common punctuations are:
Period Semicolo Comma
n
Subordinating
conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions can help us
connect the dependent clause(subordinate
clause) to the main clause.
Some of these subordinate
conjunctions are:
because where
while though
when before
rather after
coordinating
conjunctions
Coordinating conjunctions can also
help in writing complex sentences by
connecting two or more main clauses.
Coordinating conjunctions are:
For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
The acronym FANBOYS can be used to help us
remember the coordinating conjunctions.
challenge yourself!
What dependent clause can you add to complete each
main clause with a given subordinate conjunction?
Sky was so because
excited.
We will go to the or
park.
Let’s Check!
challenge yourself!
What dependent clause can you add to complete each
main clause with a given subordinate conjunction?
Sky was so because
excited.
Sky was so excited because she wants to get a slice of the cake.
We will go to the or
park.
We will go to the park or we will eat lunch first.
Summary: Parts of a sentence
Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a type of sentence that
contains one main clause and at least one dependent
clause.
Main Clause Dependent Clause
It is a clause that can stand alone It is a group of words that contains a
to create a sentence. subject and verb but does not express
a complete thought.
Example: I am going to read a
book. Example: when I get home.
Summary: Complex
sentences
Writing complex sentences
Punctuations, subordinating conjunctions and coordinating
conjunctions help make complex sentences clear and easy to
understand.
Subordinating Coordinating
Punctuations
Conjunctions Conjunctions
They connect the
Punctuation marks dependent clause to They connect the two
guide the flow and the main clause. Some or more main clauses.
meaning of complex examples are because, Some examples are
sentences. while, when and for, nor and but.
rather.
