1. I N T R O D U C T I ON T O C O M P L E X S E N T E N C E S
By Sheilah Espinoza

2. A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and
a dependent clause.
An independent clause is a
“complete sentence”.
A dependent clause is an
“incomplete sentence”.

3. independent clause + dependent clause
The order of dependent and independent
clauses in a complex sentence can vary.
I want to be a teacher when I grow up.
(“complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)
When I grow up, I want to be a teacher.
(“incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence”)
independent clause dependent clause
dependent clause independent clause

4. There are many subordinating conjunctions.
In a complex sentence, the dependent clause must begin with a words called a subordinating conjunction.
There are many subordinating conjunctions.

5. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS: Words used to combine dependent and independent clauses in a complex sentence
After
Before
While If
When As
Because
Although
Even though
Rather than
Until
Unless
Whenever
Wherever
Since
Even if
In order to
Now that
Whether

6. Next, you will see some examples of sentences that use the following SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS:
After
Before
While If
When As
Because
Although
Even though
Rather than
Until
Unless
Whenever
Wherever
Since
Even if
In order to
Now that
Whether

7. After he won the race, he received a medal.
I like pickles because they’re sour.
Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.
I read my book while I waited in line.

8. After he won the race, he received a medal.
COMPLEX SENTENCES:
(“incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )
(“complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)
After he won the race, he received a medal.
Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.
I read my book while I waited in line.
I like pickles because they’re sour.
dependent clause independent clause
independent clause dependent clause

9. NOTICE THAT SOME OF THE SENTENCES HAVE COMMAS WHILE OTHERS DO NOT.
After he won the race, he received a medal.
Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.
I read my book while I waited in line.
I like pickles because they’re sour.
NO COMMA
NO COMMA

10. COMMAS IN A COMPLEX SENTENCE:
USE A COMMA WHEN THE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION COMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE.
After he won the race, he received a medal.
Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.
***The comma separates the dependent clause from the independent clause***

11. COMMAS IN A COMPLEX SENTENCE:
USE A COMMA WHEN THE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION COMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE.
I like pickles because they’re sour.
I read my book while I waited in line.
NO COMMA is needed because the subordinating conjunction (because) is not used at the beginning of the sentence.
NO COMMA is needed because the subordinating conjunction (while) is not used at the beginning of the sentence.

12. M O R E
E X A M PL E S
O F C O M P L E X
S E N T E N C E S

13. Whenever the team scored, she cheered loudly.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
Version 1--the DEPENDENT clause comes first:
( “incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )
Whenever the team scored, she cheered loudly.
dependent clause independent clause

14. She cheered loudly whenever the team scored.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
Version 2—the INDEPENDENT clause comes first:
( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence”)
She cheered loudly whenever the team scored.
independent clause dependent clause

15. Whenever the team scored, she cheered loudly.
COMPLEX SENTENCES:
( “incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )
( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence” )
Whenever the team scored, she cheered loudly.
She cheered loudly whenever the team scored.
dependent clause independent clause
independent clause + dependent clause

16. Whenever the team scored, she cheered loudly.
A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (whenever) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

17. She cheered loudly whenever the team scored.
A comma IS NOT needed because the subordinating conjunction (whenever) is NOT used at the beginning of the sentence.

18. While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
Version 1--the DEPENDENT clause comes first:
( “incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )
While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.
( dependent clause independent clause)

19. Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.
COMPLEX SENTENCE
Version 2—the INDEPENDENT clause comes first:
( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence” )
Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.
independent clause dependent clause

20. While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.
COMPLEX SENTENCES:
( “incomplete sentence” + “complete sentence” )
( “complete sentence” + “incomplete sentence” )
While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.
Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.
dependent clause independent clause
independent clause dependent clause

21. While she worked, Ann whistled a happy tune.
A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (while) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

22. Ann whistled a happy tune while she worked.
A comma IS NOT needed because the subordinating conjunction (while) is NOT used at the beginning of the sentence.

23. After I have lunch, I will take a nap.
A comma is needed because the subordinating conjunction (after) IS USED AT THE BEGINNING of the sentence.

24. I will take a nap after I have lunch.
NO COMMA

25. Before you go to bed,be sure to brush your teeth.

26. Be sure to brush your teeth before you go to bed.
NO COMMA

27. If I had a million dollars, I would buy a beautiful mansion.

28. I would buy a beautiful mansion if I had a million dollars.
NO COMMA

29. When you graduate high school , we will have a big celebration.

30. We will have a big celebration when you graduate high school.
NO COMMA

31. As soon as you get your driver’s license , I will buy you a car.

32. I will buy you a car as soon as you get your driver’s license.
NO COMMA

33. Because he was sick, he had to miss school.

34. He had to miss school because he was sick.
NO COMMA

35. Although he never admitted it, his mom knew he had broken the vase.

36. His mom knew he had broken the vase although he never admitted it.
NO COMMA

37. Even though it was raining , I still went for a walk.

38. I still went for a walk even though it was raining.
NO COMMA

39. Until you do your homework, you aren’t allowed to play video games.

40. You aren’t allowed to play video games until you do your homework.
NO COMMA

41. Unless you clean your room, you can’t go to the movies.

42. You can’t go to the movies unless you clean your room.
NO COMMA

43. Whenever it sees a dog, the cat hides in the bushes.

44. The cat hides in the bushes whenever it sees a dog.
NO COMMA

45. Wherever you are, I promise that I will be thinking of you.

46. I promise that I will be thinking of you wherever you are.
NO COMMA

47. Since you like to shop, I will take you to the mall for your birthday.

48. I will take you to the mall for your birthday since you like to shop.
NO COMMA

49. Even if there’s a thunderstorm, we will still have to go to school.

50. We will still have to go to school even if there’s a thunderstorm.
NO COMMA

51. In order to paint the house, you will need to hire a painter.

52. You will need to hire a painter in order to paint the house.
NO COMMA

53. Now that you’re taller, you can ride the roller coaster.

54. You can ride the roller coaster now that you’re taller.
NO COMMA

55. R e v i e w

56. A complex sentence is made from an independent clause and
a dependent clause.
An independent clause is a
“complete sentence”.
A dependent clause is an
“incomplete sentence”.

57. There are many subordinating conjunctions.
In a complex sentence, the dependent clause must begin with a word called a subordinating conjunction.
There are many subordinating conjunctions.

58. EXAMPLES OF COMMON SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
After
Before
While If
When As
Because
Although
Even though
Rather than
Until
Unless
Whenever
Wherever
Since
Even if
In order to
Now that
Whether

59. COMMAS IN A COMPLEX SENTENCE:
USE A COMMA WHEN THE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION COMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SENTENCE.
After he won the race, he received a medal.
Since she jogs daily, she is in good shape.
***The comma separates the dependent clause from the independent clause***

60. G U I D E D
P R A C T I C E !

61. I loved playing with blocks when I was in kindergarten.
EXERCISE #1 Determine whether or not the sentence is a complex sentence.
I loved playing with blocks
when I was in kindergarten.
(Hint) Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the
sentence is complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction

62. IT IS A COMPLEX SENTENCE.
EXERCISE #1 Determine whether or not the sentence is a complex sentence.
I loved playing with blocks
when I was in kindergarten.
This sentence has:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
IT IS A COMPLEX SENTENCE.

63. I love going to the beach on sunny days.
EXERCISE #1 Determine whether or not the sentence is a complex sentence.
I love going to the beach on sunny days.
(Hint) Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the
sentence is complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction

64. IT IS NOT A COMPLEX SENTENCE.
EXERCISE #1 Determine whether or not the sentence is a complex sentence.
I love going to the beach on sunny days.
This sentence ONLY has:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
IT IS NOT A COMPLEX SENTENCE.

65. ***Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following
sentences are complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
Now that you’ve arrived, we can start the show.
The sick child stayed in bed all day long.
She chose to read a book rather than take a nap.

66. Now that you’ve arrived, we can start the show.
***Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following
sentences are complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
Now that you’ve arrived, we can start the show.
The sick child stayed in bed all day long.
She chose to read a book rather than take a nap.

67. ***Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following
sentences are complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
The kitten played with the toy mouse all morning.
Unless you have a ticket you can’t enter the show.
My mom baked a delicious chocolate cake.

68. Use this CHECKLIST to determine if the following
sentences are complex. A complex sentence must have:
1 “complete sentence” (independent clause)
1 “incomplete sentence” (dependent clause)
1 subordinating conjunction
The kitten played with a toy mouse all morning.
Unless you have a ticket, you can’t enter the show.
3. My mom baked a delicious chocolate cake.

69. EXERCISE #2 -All of the following are complex sentences
EXERCISE #2 -All of the following are complex sentences Determine whether or not a comma is needed. -Place the comma in the correct place. (if needed)
1. Since you cooked dinner I will do the dishes.
2. I’m going home because it’s getting late.
3. As the sun rose I heard many birds singing.
4. Although we argue a lot I still like you.
5. Let’s play tag after you finish your homework.

70. 1. Since you cooked, dinner I will do the dishes.
EXERCISE #2 *If the subordinating conjunction is used AT THE BEGINNING of a complex sentence, a comma IS REQUIRED.
1. Since you cooked, dinner I will do the dishes.
2. I’m going home because it’s getting late.
3. As the sun rose, I heard many birds singing.
4. Although we argue a lot, I still like you.
5. Let’s play tag after you finish your homework.

71. 1. You can’t go until___________________.
EXERCISE #3 -Complete the following complex sentences. -Place a comma in the correct place. (if needed)
1. You can’t go until___________________.
2. _______________ before he ate dinner.
3. Even though she was upset____________.
4. _______________________if you think so.
5. Whenever you’re ready________________.

72. G R E A T
J O B !

73. N O W
I T ’ S
YO U R
T U R N !

74. INDEPENDENT PRACTICE USE THESE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS TO CREATE YOUR OWN COMPLEX SENTENCES:
After
Before
While If
When As
Because
Although
Even though
Rather than
Until
Unless
Whenever
Wherever
Since
Even if
In order to
Now that
Whether