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Complex SentencesComplex SentencesHowever Even though

Which Where

Whose Although

That Because While Since

Whether As long as

Until So that If

Unless Once Before

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What is a complex sentence?

• A complex sentence includes:–One independent clause AND

–One dependent clause• Independent clause + Dependent

clause = Complex Sentence

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Review: Independent Clause

• Remember that an independent clause is the same as a simple sentence. It can stand alone as an understandable thought. It has a subject and a predicate (verb).

• Example of an independent clause: – The writer spent the day at the

computer.

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What is a dependent clause? • A dependent clause is also known as

a subordinate clause. – A dependent clause cannot stand by

itself as a complete sentence; it can only be part of sentence.

– It’s a group of words that contains a subject and verb, but it requires the addition of an independent clause to make it a complete thought.

• Example of a dependent clause: – Because the writer spent the day at

the computer . . .

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Because the writer spent the day at the computer . . .

• Though the group of words includes a subject and verb, this thought is not complete. It leaves us with a question: What happened BECAUSE the writer spent the day at the computer?

• Because the writer spent the day at the computer, she completed her novel.

• Now this is a complete thought; this is a complex sentence.

• The 2nd clause answers what happened as a result of the 1st clause.

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Why use a complex sentence?

• When combining two independent clauses (simple sentences), look for a relationship between your ideas and use a subordinating conjunction.

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Relationship between Ideas

• Adverb clauses can help you connect relationships between ideas.

• Adverb clauses are dependent clauses that give more details about the rest of the sentence.

Time: – After the writer spent the day at the

computer, she was very tired. • Cause and Effect:

– Because the writer spent the day at the computer, she finished her novel.

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Relationship between Ideas

• Other relationships that adverb clauses can help you communicate:

• Condition: – Unless the writer spent the day at the

computer, she wouldn’t be able to finish her novel.

• Contrast: – Although the writer spent the day at

the computer, she really wanted to be at the park.

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Moving the dependent clause

• Note: Although all of the dependent clauses in our examples occur at the beginning of the sentences, they could be moved to the end of sentence.

• Adverb clauses can fit anywhere in a sentence: – At the beginning, between the subject and

the verb, or at the end of a sentence.

– They usually begin with a signal word.

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Test the move; does it work?

• After the writer spent the day at the computer, she was very tired.

• Because the writer spent the day at the computer, she finished her novel.

• Unless the writer spent the day at the computer, she wouldn’t be able to finish her novel.

• Although the writer spent the day at the computer, she really wanted to be at the park.

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Subordinate Conjunctions

• Time: – After– Before– When– While– Until– Since

• Cause and Effect:– Because– Now that– As long as– So– In order that– As

• Condition:– If– Unless– In Case– Whether– Even if– Only if– Whether or not

• Contrast:– Although– Even though– While– Though– Whereas

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Give it a try!• With a partner, create 8 complex sentences.

• Create 2 complex sentences for each type of adverb dependent clause.

– 2 complex sentences showing a TIME relationship

– 2 showing a CAUSE and EFFECT relationship

– 2 showing a CONDITION relationship

– 2 showing a CONTRAST relationship