Complex Sentences

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B

Front

What role do subordinating conjunctions play in complex sentences?

Back

Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses and show the relationship between the dependent clause and the independent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

Can a complex sentence start with a dependent clause?

Back

Yes, a complex sentence can start with a dependent clause, and a comma is required after the dependent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.5.1E

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

What are some examples of subordinating conjunctions?

Back

Examples of subordinating conjunctions include 'although', 'because', 'since', 'unless', 'while', and 'when'.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1G

CCSS.L.3.1H

CCSS.L.5.1A

CCSS.L.5.1E

Front

When is a comma required in a complex sentence?

Back

A comma is required when a dependent clause precedes an independent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What happens to the comma requirement when a dependent clause follows an independent clause?

Back

When a dependent clause follows an independent clause, a comma is not required.

Tags

CCSS.L.4.2C

CCSS.L.6.2A

Front

What is the difference between a simple sentence and a complex sentence?

Back

A simple sentence contains only one independent clause, while a complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Tags

CCSS.L.1.1J

CCSS.L.2.1F

CCSS.L.3.1I

CCSS.L.7.1B

Front

How can you identify a dependent clause in a sentence?

Back

A dependent clause can often be identified by the presence of a subordinating conjunction and the fact that it does not express a complete thought.

Tags

CCSS.L.7.1A

CCSS.L.9-10.1B