Complex Sentence Practice

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence; it has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

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

Front

Where should the comma go in the sentence: 'On the other hand I enjoy language arts.'?

Back

The comma should go after 'hand'.

Front

Where should the comma go in the sentence: 'Basically adverbs end in -ly.'?

Back

The comma should go after 'Basically'.

Front

What is the structure of a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'He talks about what he will eat for dinner while he eats lunch.'

Back

The independent clause is 'He talks about what he will eat for dinner'.

Front

Identify the independent clause in the sentence: 'As I walked outside for recess, he was almost certain there'd be a gold star next to his name when he returned.'

Back

The independent clause is 'he was almost certain there'd be a gold star next to his name when he returned.'

Front

What punctuation is typically used to separate independent and dependent clauses?

Back

A comma is typically used to separate independent and dependent clauses when the dependent clause comes first.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in complex sentences?

Back

Commas are used in complex sentences to clarify meaning and indicate pauses, especially before conjunctions or after introductory clauses.