ESLC - Huang

Complex Sentences
Clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains at least 1 subject and 1 verb.
● The student arrived late.
● …because she wasn’t feeling well
There are 2 types of clauses:

Independent clause: Dependent clause:

It is a full sentence. It can be a sentence It is not a full sentence. It “depends” on
by itself. something else to complete its meaning.
It always begins with a subordinating
conjunction or relative pronoun.

● A simple sentence is an ● ...so that he wouldn’t be late.

independent clause:
The teacher started the class 30
minutes ago.
● A compound sentence can join 2
independent sentences:
The teacher started the class 30
minutes ago, but many students
have not arrived.
● …because they were not paying
attention.
● Before you leave today, …
● …while I was sleeping.
● Since I didn’t pass the course, …
● …which is why I don’t like him.
● …whom I really admire.
● …that tasted like it was rotten.

A complex sentence is a combination of 1 independent clause and at least 1

dependent clause. You will be learning about complex sentences with a dependent
adverb clause and complex sentences with a dependent adjective clause.
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Complex Sentences with Adverb Clauses

An adverb clause is a group of words that functions as an adverb to answer the
questions "how," "how much," "when," "how often," and "where." Adverb clauses begin
with a subordinating conjunction. They contain a noun and a verb, but can't stand
alone as a complete sentence so they are dependent clauses.

If the dependent adverb clause comes first, put a comma before the independent
clause.

Examples: The student arrived late because she wasn’t feeling well.
Because the student wasn’t feeling well, she arrived late.

Subordinating conjunctions:

A dependent adverb clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction. Review

the different kinds of subordinating conjunctions below.

Time conjunctions: tells when something happens.

after He goes to school after he finishes work.

as* I entered the room as the teacher was starting her lesson.

As soon as The teacher stopped talking as soon as I entered the room.

before Before you attend college, you have to fill out an application.

Since * It has been an hour since the test started.

until We can’t leave the room until everyone has finished the test.

when When you go to school, you will learn a lot of new things.

whenever Whenever I don’t sleep well, I feel sick the next day.

while I felt nervous while I was taking my first exam.

Reason conjunctions: tells why something happens

as* As the number of spots are limited, you should arrive early.

because I did well on my exam because I studied hard.

since* Since this is a required course, you must take it.

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Purpose conjunctions: tells the purpose/reason

So that I studied hard so that I would do well on the exam.

Condition conjunctions: tells the condition under which something can occur

if If you have an interview, you must arrive on time.

unless Do not arrive late unless you want to look bad in front of the
employer.
*Note: ‘as’ and ‘since’ can be used in different ways

EXERCISE A: underline the dependent clauses and circle the subordinating

conjunctions. Add commas where necessary.

1) When people email their teachers they often expect an immediate reply.

2) It is usually impossible to get a response right away because teachers are

usually busy teaching a class.

3) If you have not received a reply within two days, you should send a second

email.

4) Check your school email regularly since, you may receive important notices.

5) Whenever, you see the word URGENT in the subject line of an email you should

read it immediately.

6) Do not be absent on the day of an evaluation unless you have discussed, your

situation with your teacher.

7) The students cleared their desks before ,the teacher handed out the evaluation.

8) The students worked on the evaluation until the teacher said the time was up.

9) As soon as ,the teacher told them to stop writing they put their pencils down.

10) After the teacher collected the tests ,she dismissed the class.
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EXERCISE B: Combine the independent clauses with the dependent clauses to make
complex sentences. Write the matching letter in the boxes.

Answer Independent clauses Dependent clauses

1)b you will not be late for early morning a) as soon as your alarm clock rings
classes

2)f begin the process by deciding what b) unless your teacher has rules
to wear the next day against food in the classroom

3)a then get out of bed in the morning c) if you follow several time-efficient
instead of sleeping an extra 5 or 10 steps
minutes

4)e you should keep your alarm as far d) then when you are in the shower
back from your bed as possible

5)d stick to a 2-minute limit to save not e) because it will force you to get up
only water but also time and stay up

6) c the final step requires you to bring f) before you go to bed a night
your breakfast to class

EXERCISE C: Write at least 4 complex sentences about one of the topics below. Use a
different subordinating conjunction in each sentence. Vary the placement of the
dependent and independent clauses.

● How to register for classes at your school

● How to balance school and your personal life
● How to enjoy life and reduce negativity.

1-Spend more time with positive people ,because they are like

shine.my opinion those person negative we must get out of our life
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CHALLENGE EXERCISE: Edit the text about “Note Taking” below so that it flows
better. Use coordinating and subordinating conjunctions to make compound/complex
sentences. Add punctuation where needed.

Note Taking

You are listening to a teacher’s lesson. Are you having trouble taking notes? There is

no need to feel frustrated. A good note-taking process is actually quite easy. Bring a

notebook. Bring something to write with. You will have the basic tools you need. Make

good decisions about what to include in your notes. You should write what a teacher

puts on the class website. Write what a teacher shows on videos. It is usually

important information. You will notice that the teacher uses signal words and phrases.

You hear “the most important reason” or a similar phrase. Pay attention. Add that

information to your lesson notes. You will need to develop a system of symbols and

abbreviations to increase your note-taking speed. You can use “w/o” to mean

“without”. You can use “b/c” to mean “because”. You go to your next class. Be sure to

review your notes. Ask your teacher any questions that you have. With this note-

taking system, you will retain more information. You will be better prepared for your
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next evaluation.