What Are Complex Sentences?

A complex sentence is a type of sentence that contains one independent clause and at
least one dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause).

I am going to have ice cream when I get home.

Independent Clause

I am going to have ice cream

Dependent (Subordinate) Clause

when I get home.

What Are Complex Sentences?

A complex sentence contains at least one independent clause and at least one
dependent clause. What do those mean?!

Independent Clause

A clause that can stand alone to create a

sentence, e.g. I am going to have ice cream.

Dependent Clause

A group of words that contains a subject and

verb but does not express a complete thought,
e.g. when I get home
What Are Complex Sentences?

Let’s have a look at some complex sentences. The independent clauses are in bold.

Many people enjoyed the movie, but Luke did not.

Marama was so excited to get a part in the production, even if it was

small.

Because my lunch was cold, we heated it up in the microwave.

He wanted to go to the rugby game, even though it was raining.

After the storm, the streets were covered in debris.

Have a Go!

Have a go at identifying the clauses on the next few slides. Remember, an

independent clause will make sense as a sentence. A dependent clause will not make
sense as a sentence.

After my dance class

Independent or Dependent

Click the correct answer.

Have a Go!

Remember, an independent clause will make sense as a sentence. A dependent clause

will not make sense as a sentence.

Reuben plays hockey

Independent or Dependent

Click the correct answer.

Have a Go!

Have a go at identifying the clauses on the next few slides. Remember, an

independent clause will make sense as a sentence. A dependent clause will not make
sense as a sentence.

which was 20 minutes late

Independent or Dependent

Click the correct answer.

Clauses?

You may have noticed that dependent clauses can go at the start, middle or end of a
sentence:

After the storm, the streets were covered in debris.

The train, which was 20 minutes late, pulled into the station.

Reuben plays hockey because he likes it.

Clauses?

Turn to the person next to you and have a go creating your own complex sentences.
Remember, you need an independent clause and a dependent (subordinate) clause.
Take turns finishing each other’s sentences.
Subordinate Words

Sometimes, complex sentences have clues to help us spot the dependent

(subordinate) clauses. These are called subordinate conjunctions, which is a fancy
way of saying a joining word.

Some of these subordinate conjunctions are:

because where
while though
when before
rather  after

Can you think of any others?

Complex Sentences Again

We use complex sentences to make our writing more exciting. Remember, a

complex sentence has two parts, an independent clause (can be a sentence on its
own, e.g. the cat is fat) and a dependent clause (does not express a full idea, e.g.
because he gets spoiled). When you put the parts together, you get a complex
sentence.

Because he gets spoiled, the cat is fat.

Complex Sentences Again

Have a go in your next piece of writing!