Sentence Types: Complex Sentences

Sentence Types: Complex Sentences

by Nedra Holmes-Goodloe

​Let's Review

​A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate.

​

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.​

• ​Ex: Justin Lebo of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, loved bikes.

​

A dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

• Ex: while they read

​Dependent Clauses

​How to recognize a dependent clause. . .

​Besides having a subject and a verb, dependent clauses begin with signal words (usually subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns) such as:

​

​if, because, even though, than, so that, while, where, when, as if, since, who, whom, whose, that, and which

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of clause.

because they were going to the zoo

• independent

• dependent

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of clause.

They were going to the zoo.

• independent

• dependent

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of clause.

if she could get her allowance early

• independent

• dependent

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of clause.

She wanted to know

• independent

• dependent

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of clause.

She could get her allowance early!

• independent

• dependent

​Let's Review

A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

• ​Ex: Justin Lebo of Saddle Brook, New Jersey, loved bikes.

​

​A compound sentence contains two more independent clauses and no dependent clauses.

• ​Ex: They had their garage set up like a bike shop; they worked there on their bikes all the time.

• ​​Ex: They had their garage set up like a bike shop, and they worked there on their bikes all the time.

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

He and his dad shared an interest in bicycle racing.

• simple

• compound

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Justin bought a couple of run down bikes and fixed them up.

• simple

• compound

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Justin bought a couple of run down bikes, and he fixed them up.

• simple

• compound

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

The bikes looked good as new, but Justin didn't need any more bikes himself.

• simple

• compound

Identify the independent clauses.

​1. ALTHOUGH THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM IS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT IT. 

2. THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED SO THAT HOSPITALIZED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILDREN COULD GET SPECIAL ATTENTION. 

3. ANYONE CAN VOLUNTEER WHO IS AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD AND MEETS OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

​4. AFTER A VOLUNTEER IS TRAINED, HE OR SHE IS ASSIGNED TWO CHILDREN.

5. BECAUSE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS NEED TO GET TO KNOW THEIR “GRANDCHILDREN,” THEY VISIT THE CHILDREN EACH DAY. 

6. THESE DAILY VISITS LAST FOR TWO HOURS SO THAT THE CHILDREN CAN GET CAREFUL ATTENTION FROM THEIR FOSTER GRANDPARENTS. 

7. ALTHOUGH FOSTER GRANDPARENTS ARE VOLUNTEERS, THEY ARE PAID. 

8. THEY ALSO RECEIVE TRAVEL EXPENSES WHILE THEY SERVE. 

Identify the independent clauses.

​1. ALTHOUGH THE FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM IS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD, MANY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT IT. 

2. THIS PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED SO THAT HOSPITALIZED AND INSTITUTIONALIZED CHILDREN COULD GET SPECIAL ATTENTION. 

3. ANYONE CAN VOLUNTEER WHO IS AT LEAST 60 YEARS OLD AND MEETS OTHER REQUIREMENTS.

​4. AFTER A VOLUNTEER IS TRAINED, HE OR SHE IS ASSIGNED TWO CHILDREN.

5. BECAUSE FOSTER GRANDPARENTS NEED TO GET TO KNOW THEIR “GRANDCHILDREN,” THEY VISIT THE CHILDREN EACH DAY. 

6. THESE DAILY VISITS LAST FOR TWO HOURS SO THAT THE CHILDREN CAN GET CAREFUL ATTENTION FROM THEIR FOSTER GRANDPARENTS. 

7. ALTHOUGH FOSTER GRANDPARENTS ARE VOLUNTEERS, THEY ARE PAID. 

8. THEY ALSO RECEIVE TRAVEL EXPENSES WHILE THEY SERVE. 

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

There are many ways to volunteer since there are so many worthy causes.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Right now young people are feeding the homeless.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of .

They are also working as assistant camp counselors for needy children, and they are restoring the environment.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Although these ways of volunteering are very different, each reflects a desire to serve others.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Students will organize a coat drive this winter.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Students will organize a coat drive this winter, for homeless people often do not have warm clothes.

• simple

• compound

• complex

Multiple Choice

Identify the type of sentence.

Students will organize a coat drive this winter because homeless people often do not have warm clothes.

• simple

• compound

• complex