Complex Sentences

Ms. Rattinger
Review
You have learned about subjects, verbs,
helping verbs, linking verbs, adverbs,
adjectives, prepositions, coordinating
conjunctions, and compound sentences.

Are you overwhelmed yet?

Just wait
Complex Sentences
because today you are learning about
complex sentences.

A complex sentence is made up of an
independent clause and one or more
dependent clause.
Dependent Clause
What is a dependent clause?

Its a clause that cant stand on its own. It cannot
be a sentence by itself because it is missing
something important. It wont make sense by
itself.
Example: Because I am in a hurry
The above sentence does not make sense on its
own. It needs more to the sentence to make
sense.
Examples of Complex Sentences
1. After I dropped the plate, I started to cry.
dependent independent

2. When winter comes, I often feel cold.
dependent independent


dependent independent
3. Because I was so cold, I decided to put on a
jacket.

Look Closer
Lets look at complex sentence #1 on the previous
page:
After I dropped the plate, I started to cry.

After I dropped the plate is a dependent clause. It
cannot be a sentence on its own because there
is not enough information. It needs the rest of
the sentence to make sense. Remember,
sentences HAVE TO MAKE SENSE
to be real sentences.

Subordinating Conjuction
Complex sentences usually contain a
subordinating conjunction. Those are words like:

Because
When
After
Although
Since


Subordinating Conjunctions
So
When you start a dependent clause with a
subordinating conjunction, you have a
complex sentence.

Did anyone notice anything about the above
sentence?
What was the subordinating conjunction?
Why?
Why do we teach you about simple,
compound, and complex sentences?


When the dependent clause is first, the
dependent and independent clause are
separated with a comma.

As in the example above.
If the independent clause comes before
the dependent clause, there is not a
comma separating the two clauses.

We went horseback riding when the
instructor finished giving us riding
directions.