Complex Sentences

Front

What is a complex sentence?

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

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What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb.

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What is a dependent clause?

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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

What is the structure of a complex sentence?

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

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Give an example of a complex sentence.

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Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.

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What is the role of a dependent clause in a complex sentence?

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The dependent clause provides additional information to the independent clause but cannot stand alone.

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Identify the dependent clause in this sentence: 'Because I was tired, I went to bed early.'

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Because I was tired.

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Identify the independent clause in this sentence: 'When the sun sets, the sky turns orange.'

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The sky turns orange.

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What punctuation is used to separate the clauses in a complex sentence?

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A comma is often used to separate the dependent clause from the independent clause when the dependent clause comes first.

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

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