Understanding Complex Sentences
Complex sentences are a fundamental aspect of writing and communication. They allow us to express nuanced ideas, convey relationships between events, and add depth to our writing. A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause (i.e., a clause that could stand alone as a separate sentence) and one or more dependent clauses (i.e., clauses that cannot stand alone).
The Components of a Complex Sentence
A complex sentence typically consists of:
- An independent clause, which contains a subject and a predicate (verb) and expresses a complete thought.
- A dependent clause, which contains a subject and a predicate but does not express a complete thought. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions, such as “because,” “although,” “if,” or “unless.”
- A subordinating conjunction, which introduces the dependent clause and indicates its relationship to the independent clause.
Types of Complex Sentences
There are several types of complex sentences, including:
- Adverbial clauses, which describe the circumstances of an event, such as time, place, manner, or cause. Example: “I went to the store because I needed milk.”
- Adjectival clauses, which describe a noun or pronoun. Example: “The book, which is on the bestseller list, is a great read.”
- Noun clauses, which function as nouns and can be used as subjects, objects, or complements. Example: “I know that you are tired.”
Practice Worksheets
To help you master complex sentences, we’ve created three practice worksheets. Each worksheet includes a series of exercises designed to help you identify and create complex sentences.
Worksheet 1: Identifying Complex Sentences
| Sentence | Is it a complex sentence? | Why or why not? |
|---|---|---|
| I went to the store, and I bought milk. | No | It’s a compound sentence with two independent clauses. |
| I went to the store because I needed milk. | Yes | It has an independent clause (“I went to the store”) and a dependent clause (“because I needed milk”). |
| The book, which is on the bestseller list, is a great read. | Yes | It has an independent clause (“The book…is a great read”) and a dependent clause (“which is on the bestseller list”). |
📝 Note: To identify complex sentences, look for dependent clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions.
Worksheet 2: Creating Complex Sentences
| Independent Clause | Dependent Clause | Complex Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| I went to the movies. | because I wanted to see the new blockbuster. | I went to the movies because I wanted to see the new blockbuster. |
| The teacher gave us a lot of homework. | although we had a test the next day. | The teacher gave us a lot of homework, although we had a test the next day. |
| I’m feeling tired. | since I didn’t sleep well last night. | I’m feeling tired since I didn’t sleep well last night. |
📝 Note: To create complex sentences, combine an independent clause with a dependent clause using a subordinating conjunction.
Worksheet 3: Editing Complex Sentences
| Original Sentence | Edited Sentence |
|---|---|
| I went to the store, I bought milk. | I went to the store because I needed milk. |
| The book which is on the bestseller list is a great read. | The book, which is on the bestseller list, is a great read. |
| I’m feeling tired since I didn’t sleep well last night, but I have a lot of work to do. | Although I’m feeling tired since I didn’t sleep well last night, I have a lot of work to do. |
📝 Note: To edit complex sentences, make sure to use correct punctuation and subordinating conjunctions.
By completing these practice worksheets, you’ll become more comfortable with identifying and creating complex sentences. Remember to use a variety of subordinating conjunctions and dependent clauses to add depth and nuance to your writing.
Now that you’ve mastered complex sentences, you’re ready to take your writing to the next level. Keep practicing, and you’ll see improvement in no time!
What is a complex sentence?
+A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
What is the difference between a compound sentence and a complex sentence?
+A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction, while a complex sentence contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
How do I identify a complex sentence?
+To identify a complex sentence, look for dependent clauses introduced by subordinating conjunctions.
Related Terms:
- Compound complex sentence exercise
- COMPOUND SENTENCES worksheet pdf
- Complex sentence pdf
