We all know what sentences are, but do you know the different types of sentence structures and how to form them? There are four different types of sentences in English; simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. This explanation is all about complex sentences.Â
Explore our app and discover over 50 million learning materials for free.
Lerne mit deinen Freunden und bleibe auf dem richtigen Kurs mit deinen persönlichen Lernstatistiken
Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenNie wieder prokastinieren mit unseren Lernerinnerungen.
Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenWe all know what sentences are, but do you know the different types of sentence structures and how to form them? There are four different types of sentences in English; simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. This explanation is all about complex sentences.
Keep reading to find out more, if you like. (p.s that's a complex sentence!)
Complex sentences are longer sentences consisting of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. They are one of only two sentence types to include a dependent clause.
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, and every clause must contain a subject and a verb. There are two types of clauses; independent clauses and dependent clauses.
An independent clause does not rely on any other clause to make sense; it is 'independent' and works on its own. On the other hand, a dependent (or subordinate) clause is 'dependent' on the independent clause to make sense. Dependent clauses add additional information to an existing sentence and cannot stand alone.
If you don't study, you will not pass your exams.
A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses joined together with subordinating conjunctions, relative pronouns, and punctuation.
The independent clause can come at the beginning, in the middle, or even at the end of the sentence. Because of this, there is not a set formula for a complex sentence.
Remember: complex sentences can only have one independent clause but multiple dependent clauses.
We form complex sentences by centring the sentence around the independent clause (the main clause) and using dependent clauses to add additional information that expands on the main clause.
Being able to correctly identify dependent and independent clauses is crucial when forming complex sentences. Although both clauses contain a subject and a verb, there is a difference between the two.
Independent clauses can stand alone as a complete thought.
Dependent clauses rely on the independent clause to complete the thought.
If the path is muddy - This is a dependent clause as it is an incomplete thought. If the path is muddy... then what?
You should walk on the road - This is an independent clause as it makes sense on its own.
If the path is muddy, you should walk on the road. - A complex sentence.
Another way we can identify dependent clauses is the use of subordinating clauses. As a general rule, dependent clauses will begin with a subordinating clause. Let's look into this a little more...
A subordinating clause is a linking word used to join a dependent clause to an independent clause. They are similar but differ from coordinating conjunctions, which join two independent clauses together.
Here is a list of subordinating conjunctions you can use to join a dependent and an independent clause;
if
because
since
until
although
even though
while
before
after
once
as
as if
so that
only if
Relative pronouns are a type of subordinating conjunction used to join clauses. Here is a list of the relative pronouns you can use;
I love Scotland until it gets cold.
Although complex sentences sound pretty 'complex', the only thing you have to worry about is choosing the correct subordinating conjunction and using a comma. But where does the comma go? I hear you ask. The position of the comma depends on the order of the clauses.
When the dependent clause comes first, place the comma just after and before the independent clause. E.g. 'When I'm feeling sleepy, I like to watch Freinds on Netflix.'
Let’s look at some more examples of complex sentences.
Here are some examples of complex sentences. The independent clause is in bold, and the link is in purple.
When she was younger, she believed in Santa.
Although my friends begged me, I didn’t go to the party.
We didn’t want to go outside while it was raining.
He returned the parcel after he realised it was damaged.
If you want, I can pick you up at ten.
Conditional sentences beginning with the conjunction 'if' are among the most common types of complex sentences!
Let’s explore one of these examples in a little more detail so that you can get to grips with how complex sentences work:
When she was younger, she believed in Santa.
Here we can see that the dependent clause 'when she was younger' begins with the subordinating conjunction 'when'. It is a dependent clause because it contains a subject (she) and a verb (was) but does not make sense on its own. The independent clause 'she believed in Santa' is needed to complete the thought.
Complex sentences are often used in spoken and written English because they give more information in a concise way. As complex sentences can include multiple dependent clauses, they can contain a lot of information.
He returned the parcel after he realised it was damaged.
In this sentence, the dependent clause adds more information to the independent clause 'he returned the parcel' by giving us the reason why the man is returning the parcel.
Whenever we try to identify a particular type of sentence, we should look at the number and type of clauses the sentence contains.
In complex sentences, we are looking out for at least two clauses: one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.
Complex sentences are similar to compound sentences, as well as compound-complex sentences, but they are not the same. Let’s take a look at their differences.
Compound sentences don't have dependent clauses. So, if you can see a dependent clause in a sentence, it is either a complex or compound-complex sentence.
Compound-complex sentences are often the longest sentence type. They include at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. If there is only one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses then it's a complex sentence.
So, if there’s one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, you can be sure it’s a complex sentence!
Complex sentences are one of the four sentence types used in the English language.
Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Complex sentences are often used when we need to add information or give a reason for something - this is when we would use a dependent clause.
We can identify a complex sentence by looking at the number and type of clauses it contains. If there is one independent and at least one dependent clause, we know the sentence is complex.
A complex sentence is a sentence type used in the English language. It describes a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
Here is an example sentence: 'The man was wandering around town because he was lost.' The independent clause is 'The man was wandering around town' and the dependent clause is 'because he was lost.' The conjunction linking them is the word 'because'.
'Complex sentence' describes a sentence containing at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. It is one of the sentence types in the English language.
A compound-complex sentence is a very similar sentence type to a complex sentence. The difference is that a compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Unlike complex sentences, which contain one independent clause and one or move dependent, compound sentences do not have dependent clauses. So, if there is a dependent clause, you know it isn’t a compound sentence.
What is a complex sentence?
A sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
What is the difference between a complex sentence and a compound sentence?
A compound sentence contains multiple independent clauses and doesn’t have a dependent clause.
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
Everyone went to the zoo.Â
Everyone went to the zoo while I was working.
Everyone went to the zoo but I stayed at home.
b. Everyone went to the zoo while I was working.
 Is this a complex sentence?: Andrew fought hard but he still lost.
​No.
True or false: A complex sentence is the same as a compound-complex sentence.
False.
Which of the following sentence types contains a dependent clause?
Simple
Compound
Complex
c. Complex
Already have an account? Log in
Open in AppThe first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place
Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.
Save explanations to your personalised space and access them anytime, anywhere!
Sign up with Email Sign up with AppleBy signing up, you agree to the Terms and Conditions and the Privacy Policy of StudySmarter.
Already have an account? Log in
Already have an account? Log in
The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place
Already have an account? Log in