Complex Sentences

Contain one independent clause Contain one dependent clause

Independent Clause An independent clause contains a subject, a predicate, and can stand alone as a sentence. -Think of the independent clause as a mom. A dependent clause contains a subordinating conjunction, a subject, a predicate, and can NOT stand alone as a sentence. -Think of the dependent clause as a baby.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions after although as as if as long as as much as as soon as as though because before even if even though if if only inasmuch in order that lest now that once

Subordinating Conjunctions Continued provided (that) rather than since so that than that though till unless until when whenever where whereas wherever while

Two Ways to Make a Complex Sentence: Independent clause dependent clause. Ex- I went to the cafeteria because I was hungry. Dependent clause, independent clause. Ex.- Because I was hungry, I went to the cafeteria.

Write the following sentences on your notes. Circle the subordinating conjunction. ***Then underline the subject once and predicate twice in both parts of the sentence. 1.James and Sarah are coming to my house after the game is over. 2.Since I stayed up until midnight, my mom took my phone away.

Answers James and Sarah are coming to my house after the game is over. I stayed up until midnight, my mom took my phone away. after Since

Answers Continued James and Sarah are coming to my house the game is over. I stayed up until midnight, my mom took my phone away. after Since

When to use a comma on a complex sentence: Think of the dependent clause as a baby just learning to walk. Think of the independent clause as the mom. When the baby is in front of the mom, he or she must hold the moms hand for support. The hands are like the comma. When the baby is behind the mom, the baby can just latch on to the mom. No comma is needed.

You can flip complex sentences around also. For example: I went to the cafeteria because I was hungry. Because I was hungry, I went to the cafeteria. Its the same sentence written in two different ways. This will give you some variety in your sentences when you are writing.

Now write your own complex sentence. Look at the list of subordinating conjunctions to help you!