Complex Sentences
The Brenham Writing Room
Created by D. Herring
What is a Complex Sentence?
 A complex sentence contains both an
independent and a dependent clause.
 A complex sentence may contain more than
just two clauses.
 A complex sentence may be combined with a
compound sentence to form a compoundcomplex sentence.
Independent & Dependent Clauses
 A clause is a group of words containing a
subject and a verb.

An independent clause has a subject and a
verb and can stand alone because it
expresses a complete thought.


I studied for the test.
A dependent clause has a subject and a verb
but cannot stand alone because it does not
express a complete thought. It “depends” on
another clause to be complete.

Although I was tired.
Complex Sentence
 A complex sentence combines both an
independent and dependent clause.

Although I was tired, I studied for the test.

I studied for the test, although I was tired.
Subordinating Conjunctions
 Many dependent clauses begin with a
subordinating conjunction (also known as a
dependent word)

Subordinate means secondary, so
subordinating conjunctions are words that
introduce secondary ideas.


e.g., because, since, when, while, although, even
though, if, as, whereas
Subordinating conjunctions create a
relationship between clauses, so they must be
used properly.
Punctuating with Dependent Clauses
& Subordinating Conjunctions
 When a dependent clause that begins with a
subordinating conjunction falls at the
beginning of the sentence, put a comma after
the clause. (It acts as an introductory clause.)
 When it falls at the end, no comma is needed.

Because I didn’t study, I didn’t pass the exam.

I didn’t pass the exam because I didn’t study.
What is a Relative Pronoun?
 A relative pronoun describes a noun or
pronoun.

Relative pronouns:

who, whom, whomever, whose, which, that
 Relative pronouns can be used to begin a
relative clause, which is also “dependent” and
can be used in a complex sentence.

My uncle, who plays for the Houston Astros, is
coming to visit this week.
Who vs. Which vs. That
 Use who (whom, whomever, whose) to add
information about a person or animal.

My cat, who is 15-years old, likes to lay on the porch all
day.
 Use that to add essential information about a thing
or animal.

The animal that I like best is the platypus.
 Use which to add non-essential information about a
thing or animal.

A platypus, which is my favorite animal, was recently
added to one of the exhibits at the zoo.
Punctuation with Relative Clauses
 Use commas to set off non-essential clauses.
 Clauses beginning with which should be non-essential.
 My computer, which is a laptop, crashed.
 Some clauses beginning with who are non-essential.
 My teacher, whom I like a lot, just won an award for
Best Teacher.
 Do not use commas with essential clauses.
 Clauses beginning with that should be essential.
 The classes that I’m taking this semester are Reading
and English.
 Some clauses beginning with who are essential.
 The tutor who is assigned to our class is very helpful.
In Review….
 It is critical to know the difference between
these three different types of words:

Coordinating Conjunctions (aka FANBOYS)


Conjunctive Adverbs (aka Transitional Words)



for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
however, therefore, consequently, also, then
see Little, Brown Handbook, pg. 261 for list
Subordinating Conjunctions (aka Dependent
Words)


because, although, since, while, when, unless, if
see LBH, pg. 253 for list