Complex Sentence

Complex Sentence

By Lynn Taruli

What is a complex sentence?

​It is made up of:

• one independent clause and

• one or more dependent clauses joined by a conjunction

Independent clause has a noun and a verb (subject and predicate) and it is a complete sentence on its own.

​

​e.g. My friends love playing badminton

subject​ predicate

Dependent/subordinate clause has a noun and verb but it doesn't express a complete thought.

​

​e.g. - When they were young, my friends love

playing badminton.

- My friends love playing badminton when

they were young.​

​

​

• Subordinating Conjunctions

Multiple Choice

What is an independent clause?

• a clause that has only a verb.

• a clause that cannot stand as a sentence in its own right

• a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence.

Multiple Choice

What is a dependent clause?

• a clause that cannot stand as a sentence in its own right

• a clause that has only a subject

• a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence.

Multiple Choice

Since the birds were chirping.

• This is a dependent clause.

• This is an independent clause.

• This is a complex sentence.

Multiple Choice

What word in this sentence is the subordinating conjunction?

While we ate dinner, no one looked at their phones.

• We

• ate

• while

Multiple Choice

I am glad we went camping because it was so fun!

• This is a dependent clause.

• This is an independent clause.

• This is a complex sentence.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct complex sentence structure?

• One independent clause
• One dependent clause
• An independent clause and a dependent clause
• A simple sentence with a subject and verb

Multiple Choice

When a subordinating conjunction starts a sentence, a comma is required.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

When a subordinating conjunction is in the middle of a sentence, a comma is required.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

Which sentence is an independent clause?

• Jill likes to go to the beach.
• Whenever you finish.
• If you read The Outsiders.
• Before you eat breakfast.

Multiple Choice

Which are correctly written complex sentences?

• When I was a baby, my dad was in the army.
• Although I was tired.
• An adjective describes a noun.
• A proper noun needs to be capitalized.

Multiple Choice

Identify the Subordinating Conjunction:
If you need more time, I can give you more time.

• If
• time
• I

Multiple Choice

They couldn't make a cake ________ they did not have any milk.

• because
• unless
• or

Fill in the Blank

Identify the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

Although it was cloudy, we decided to go for a drive.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

We wanted to go to the beach since the weather was still warm.

Fill in the Blank

Identify the subordinating conjunction in each sentence.

Because it looked like it might rain, we took our umbrellas.

Multiple Choice

Which is the correct complex sentence structure?

• One independent clause
• One dependent clause
• An independent clause and a dependent clause
• A simple sentence with a subject and verb

Multiple Choice

Is this a complex sentence?
Since he saw a candy commercial, Mr. Smith wanted dessert.

• yes
• no
• I have no clue

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the clause in blue below is dependent or independent.
Because she is holding the microphone so close to her face, each moment of contact sounds like a heavy blow.

• dependent clause
• independent clause

Multiple Choice

Identify the INDEPENDENT clause in the following complex sentence:
Each moment of contact sounds like a heavy blow because she is holding the microphone so close to her face.

• Each moment of contact sounds like a heavy blow
• because she is holding the microphone so close to her face.

Multiple Choice

Identify whether the clause in blue below is independent or dependent.
Mrs. Nelson is probably a NY Giants fan since she has their logo on her desktop background.

• independent
• dependent

Multiple Choice

Where should the comma go?
On the other hand I enjoy language arts.

• after hand
• after on
• there is no comma