Editing: Complex Sentences

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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.

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What is a run-on sentence?

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A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined without proper punctuation or conjunction.

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What is the purpose of a comma in complex sentences?

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

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Identify the error: 'The dog barked he was hungry.'

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This is a run-on sentence; it should be corrected with a conjunction or punctuation.

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Identify the error: 'Because it was raining we stayed inside.'

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This sentence needs a comma after 'raining' to separate the dependent clause.

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What is a subordinating conjunction?

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A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, such as 'because,' 'although,' or 'when'.

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Example of a dependent clause: 'Although it was late.'

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This is a dependent clause because it does not express a complete thought.

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Example of a correctly complex sentence: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

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This sentence is correctly complex because it has an independent clause and a dependent clause.