Complex Sentences

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 because it 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 because it does not express a complete thought.

Front

Example of a complex sentence: 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.' What are the independent and dependent clauses?

Back

Independent clause: 'we went for a walk'; Dependent clause: 'Although it was raining'.

Front

What is a subordinating conjunction?

Back

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

Front

Identify the subordinating conjunction in the sentence: 'I will go to the store if it stops raining.'

Back

The subordinating conjunction is 'if'.

Front

What is the purpose of using complex sentences?

Back

Complex sentences allow writers to show relationships between ideas, add detail, and create more varied sentence structures.

Front

Transform the simple sentence 'I like ice cream.' into a complex sentence.

Back

'Although I like ice cream, I prefer cake.'

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Front

How can you identify a complex sentence?

Back

A complex sentence can be identified by the presence of at least one dependent clause and one independent clause.