Complex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. In a complex sentence, one idea is usually more important than the other. The more important idea goes in the independent clause, whereas the less important idea is placed in the dependent (subordinate) clause. Go here for a list of subordinators.

The three types of dependent (subordinate) clauses are: adverb, adjective, and noun.

Adverb Clauses begin with an adverbial subordinator such as when, while, because, although, if, so that, etc.

1. If it rains tonight, we'll take the bus.

2. I dropped my wallet when I was running for the train.

Dependent clauses before the main clause are followed by a comma.

Adjective Clauses begin with relative pronouns such as who, whom, which, whose, or that, or with a relative adverb such as where or when. Adjective clauses modify a noun or a pronoun.

1. Students who return to university after working for a while are called mature students.

2. Last August we went to Victoria, which has beautiful gardens.

Dependent Noun Clauses act as nouns and begin with a wh-question word, that, whether, or sometimes if. No commas are necessary.

1. That smoking is dangerous needs no explanation.

2. Health experts have proved that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer.

Practice Exercise Part 1:

Underline the subordinate (dependent) clause in each sentence. Circle the subordinator.

Example:

Because they want spending money, many Tokoha students work part-time.

1. When foreigners begin to live in Japan, they often have culture shock.
2. Because of the prolonged recession, finding a job is very difficult.
3. Please tell me where the cafeteria is.
4. Interpreters, who are good at learning languages, must also be able to think on their feet.
5. Since I started jogging and lifting weights, I've lost 3 kg.
6. Students should attend class regularly unless they are sick.
7. Even when students study, they still sometimes fail.
8. Each year, the number of students entering university is decreasing.
9. While teachers set requirements for their courses, students must meet them.

Complex Sentences Practice 2

Add a sensible independent clause to each of the following dependent clauses. Be sure to punctuate each sentence correctly.

1. _______________________________________________ until I pay for my new car.

2. _____________________________________________________ unless we understand the topic.

3. _______________________________________________ that English education is becoming more important in Japan.

4. _______________________________________________ who is the head of the English Department.

5. Because I had to tutor two students ________________________________________.

6. ______________________________________________ if I want to finish my preparations on time.

7. _______________________________________________ whether I should take Communicative Writing again next year.

8. _______________________________________________ whom I met at the sports club last week.

9. _______________________________________________ when I left high school.

10. _______________________________________________ that my thesis supervisor recommends.

Complex Sentences Practice 3 For more practice on telling the difference between compound and complex sentences, try an interactive quiz from the University of Calgary here.