Complex Sentence
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence and makes a complete thought and
a dependent clause cannot stand alone, even though it has a subject and a verb.
The independent clause in each of the following sentences is underlined:
• Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
• Though he was very rich, he was still very unhappy.
• She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
• When the cost goes up, customers buy less clothing.
• As she was bright and ambitious, she became manager in no time.
• Wherever you go, you can always find beauty.
Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Subordinating conjunctions
connect certain types of subordinate clauses to independent clauses, and they actually
subordinate - or demote - the clause that they are introducing.
The function of the subordinating conjunction is to connect the clauses and indicate a
dependent (complex) relationship between them. There are many subordinating
conjunctions, and below there are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:
■after
■although
■as
■because
■before
■even though
■if
■since
■though
■unless
■until
■when
■whenever
■whereas
■wherever
■while
Some of these give the clause an adverbial function, specifying time, place, or
manner. Such clauses are called adverbial clauses.
