4.5: Working with Language- Complex Sentences

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The third in our series on sentence structure is complex sentences. Using a variety of sentence types (simple, compound, and complex) will make your writing more sophisticated.

What Is a Complex Sentence?

Like compound sentences, complex sentences have two clauses. Look at this sentence. The subjects are bold, the predicates are underlined, and the conjunction in the middle is in a box.

Camilla quit her job when she received a gift of $6,000.

There are two clauses here, but they are not equal:

Camilla quit her job – this can stand alone.
When she received a gift of $6,000 – this has no meaning without the first part.

The first clause is an independent clause. The second is a dependent clause: it needs the first clause to give it meaning. It cannot stand alone.

Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. There are many of these.

Common subordinating conjunctions

To show time

when

before

after

while

whenever

To give a reason

because

since

To describe a possible event or situation

as long as

unless

in case

To show an unexpected result

although

even though

To show a purpose

so that

To show a contrast

whereas

while

Compound or Complex?

If you are not sure whether a sentence is compound or complex, or whether a conjunction is coordinating or subordinating, ask yourself this question: Can I move the conjunction to the beginning of the sentence and change the order of the clauses? You cannot do this with coordinating conjunctions, but you can with subordinating conjunctions. Look at this:

Camilla quit her job when she received a gift of $6,000.

When she received a gift of $6,000, Camilla quit her job.

You Try It!

Combine the simple sentences below to make one complex sentence. There may be more than one correct answer.

His mother was a single parent. She always bought presents at Christmas.

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He lost a lot of weight. He was able to play sports.

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Vancouver is a big, urban city. Smithers is a small, rural town.

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I would love to write a novel. I don’t have enough patience to sit and write.

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5. Sam was driving home from work. He saw a bear on the road.

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6. I often take small planes around B.C. I always feel nervous.

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Take a map on your hike in the mountains. You might get lost.

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You can drive east from Prince Rupert. You will eventually come to Alberta.

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Ken had a life-changing visit to Belgium. He decided to become a history teacher.

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I might change my job. Then, I will be more satisfied in my career.

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