1. COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURE
NOTES
Main Points
Topic

2. Main Points
Contains one independent clause connected to one or more dependent clause(s).
Ex:
Because Helen’s alarm didn’t go off, she missed her bus.
Complex Sentence
Topic
Where is the independent clause?
Dependent Clause?
Clues?

3. Topic New: Dependent Clause Review: Independent Clause Main Points
A complete sentence which contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone
She missed her bus.
A unit that contains a subject and verb but can’t stand alone because it begins with a connecting word known as a subordinating conjunction
Because Helen’s alarm didn’t go off
Review: Independent Clause
Topic
New: Dependent Clause
What is the base word of dependent?
How does that connect to the function of the dependent clause?

4. Subordinating Conjunction
A word that helps show the relationship between information in the dependent clause and information in the independent clause.
Ex: After I took a short nap, I felt better.
Subordinating Conjunction
Sub = below (in rank)
Ordinate = main unit
Conjunction = joining word
There are 2 types of SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS that introduce Dependent Clauses:
Pass out SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS LIST.

5. A. Subordinating Conjunctions that Introduce Adverb Clauses:
These subordinating conjunctions answer the questions “why”, “when”, “where”, “in what manner”, “under what conditions”, or “to what extent” something happened.
When you finish the test, please read your book. .
after though
although unless
as until
as if when
as long as whenever
because ? where
before wherever
even though while
if so that ?
in order that ? than
since
A. Subordinating Conjunctions that Introduce Adverb Clauses:
ANSWERS “WHEN”?
WHERE?
WHY? ?
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?
TO WHAT EXTENT?

6. B. Subordinating Conjunctions to Introduce Adjective Clauses
Who (Whoever)
Whose
Which
Whom
Where
That
Adjective clauses answer “Which one?” and “What kind?” about a noun in the sentence.
Example: The lady who drives our bus is crazy.
Box the Dependent Clause, circle the subordinating conjunctions, and underline the independent clause. Label S/V in both clauses.
Which refers to things and animals
Who, whose, and whom refer to people
That usually refers to things

7. COMPLEX CAUTION
A fragment exists if a dependent clause is not attached to an independent clause.
Ex:
Because I am going to my grandparents’ house.
Where I put my binder.
Until I get my grades up.
Since the sun came up.

8. Because she was in a hurry. F / CCXS
Be CAREFUL when writing or checking over your sentences so that you don’t mistake a fragment for a complete complex sentence.
Because she was in a hurry F / CCXS
If you go to Starbucks, please bring me back a large coffee F / CCXS
Sandra had just finished her homework when the phone rang F / CCXS
Although it was getting very late. F/ CCXS
Whenever there is a full moon. F/ CCXS

9. Work Complex Sentence Independent Practice, I-IV.

10. The boy who sits in front of me talks too much. ADV or ADJ?--
In the following sentences, BOX the DEPENDENT CLAUSE and UNDERLINE the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE. Label subjects and verbs in both clause types. CIRCLE THE WORD that keeps the dependent clause from being independent.
Whenever Ms. Franny has one of her fits, it reminds me of Winn Dixie in a thunderstorm. ADV or ADJ?--Kate Di Camillo, Because of Win Dixie
The boy who sits in front of me talks too much ADV or ADJ?--
Catherine had loaded her bag with the leftovers from Sunday dinner when gunfire slapped through the woods ADV or ADJ?-- --Truman Capote, The Grass Harp
Because she is holding the microphone so close to her face, each moment of contact sounds like a heavy blow.
ADV or ADJ?-- –Myla Goldberg, The Bee Season
What do you notice about dependent clauses and complex sentences? Which have introductory dependent clauses, interrupter, and closer? What do you notice about commas?

11. Complex Sentence Patterns
Introductory Clause
Since David was terrified (of the dark), he hurried home.
Notice: A comma comes after an introductory dependent clause.
Box the dependent clause, circle the subordinating conjunction, and underline subjects and verbs in the independent clause.
What is the advantage of having a dependent clause connected to an independent clause? (Hint—Take it out and read the sentence without it.)

12. Introductory Clause Pattern,
independent clause
SC Dependent Clause
(Adverb Clause)

13. The sounds that filled the forest scared him.
Interrupter Clause
The sounds that filled the forest scared him.
* Interrupters will often be adjective clauses placed next to the nouns they describe.

14. Interrupter Clause Pattern
SC Dependent Clause (Adjective Clause)
Subject verb

15. He trembled in fear as the wind blew. Closer Clause
Notice: Usually, no commas are included if the dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence.

16. Closer Pattern SC Dependent Clause (Adj. or Adv. Clause)
Independent Clause

17. Combine Short, Choppy Sentences with Dependent Clauses
Instead of the choppy sentences
We were late. We were expelled.
Because we were late, we were expelled. OR
We were expelled because we were late.
Notice the comma separates the introductory clause from the main clause but it is not needed if the dependent clause ends the sentence.
Combine Short, Choppy Sentences with Dependent Clauses
Compare this to a compound sentence:
We were late, and we were expelled.
Which flows more smoothly and indicates a clearer relationship between clauses?

18. Combine Choppy Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions:
We ate breakfast. We left on our trip. (Combine with Adverb Clause)
Example: Richard plays in a rock band. He is dating Jessica. (Combine with Adjective Clause)

19. One last note of CAUTION—Subordinating Conjunctions vs. Prepositions
Some SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS look like Prepositions.
Ex: after, before, until, since
The difference is that a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION IS followed by a complete sentence; a PREPOSITION is only followed by an object (noun).
Ex:
Before I left for school, I fed the dog. (SC-complex sentence)
I fed the dog before school. (Simple sentence, PP w/object )
One last note of CAUTION—Subordinating Conjunctions vs. Prepositions

20. The dog barked because it was lonely.
Identify Dependent Clauses Bracket the dependent clauses, circle the subordinating conjunctions, and underline the independent clauses. LABEL SUBJECTS AND VERBS. Correct the punctuation when necessary. Note: The subordinate conjunction IS PART OF THE DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
The dog barked because it was lonely.
When the dog barked, the baby woke up.
Mother sang a lullaby when the baby woke up.
Finally, the dog that barked in the night fell asleep.

21. Since the dog started barking the baby who is usually very sweet has been crying non-stop.
The dog which was called Rover was barking.
He will continue to bark until his owner brings him inside for the night.
The dog lives at the house where the blue Mustang is parked.