English Grammar Lesson: Complex Sentences and Sentence Variety

1. What is a Complex Sentence?

Definition: A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. The independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while the dependent clause cannot.

Example:

• Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk.
• She didn’t go to the party because she was feeling sick.
• When the teacher entered the room, the students stopped talking.

2. Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent Clause: A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Example:

• We decided to go for a walk.
• She was feeling sick.
• The students stopped talking.

Dependent Clause: A group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like “although,” “because,” “if,” “when,” etc.

Example:

• Although it was raining
• Because she was feeling sick
• When the teacher entered the room

3. Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used to link a dependent clause to an independent clause. Common subordinating conjunctions include:

• Time: when, while, before, after, since, until
• Cause and Effect: because, since, now that, as, so that
• Contrast: although, though, even though, whereas
• Condition: if, unless, provided that, as long as

Example Sentences:

• When the bell rang, the students left the classroom.
• She stayed home because she was feeling ill.
• Although he was tired, he finished his homework.
• If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

4. Sentence Variety in Writing

Using a variety of sentence structures in your writing helps to keep your reader engaged. A mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences adds rhythm and interest to your writing.

Simple Sentence: A sentence with one independent clause.

Example: She reads every night.

Compound Sentence: A sentence with two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Example: She reads every night, and she writes in her journal.

Complex Sentence: A sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Example: Although she was tired, she read every night.