Complex Sentences – Introduction
Complex Sentences add depth to the writer’s content. It is also used to join two sentences similar to the compound sentences, but there is one difference. In a compound sentence, two independent clauses are joined with a coordinator, and in a complex sentence, one independent clause is joined with at least one dependent clause.
Definition of Complex Sentences
When one independent clause is joined with at least one dependent clause by coordinators, the sentence is called a Complex Sentence.
It includes three components:
- Independent Clause
It can express a particular idea including a subject, an action, and a thought.
- Dependent Clause
It cannot express the complete idea itself. It requires some other sentence to sufficiently express the idea.
- Coordinator
The sentences are joined with subordinate conjunctions, comma, semicolon, or colon.
A subordinate coordinator is used to link these clauses. It includes:
- While
- After
- Before
- Since
- If
- When
- Because
- Until
- Comma
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent Clauses are sentences that can express its meaning without depending on any other sentence. It exists as a sentence on its own. It consists of a subject that tells about whom or what the statement is describing, an action or verb, and a thought. All compose a completed sentence.
For example – She believed in fairy tales.
Dependent Clauses are sentences that cannot express their meaning on their own. It is dependent on other clauses to complete its meaning and idea.
For example – when she was a baby, she believed in fairy tales.
Here, “When she was a baby” is a dependent clause which is depending upon an independent clause.
Uses of Complex Sentences
Complex Sentences can be used to extend your paragraph writing engagingly. It will help to extend the crucial points of a paragraph. When you write a paragraph, you should start with simple sentences and, then you should use complex sentences to elaborate on your main idea. You can use it for supporting examples and concluding the articles.
Examples
• Before joining the company, I asked about the rules.
• I like eating popcorn while watching the movie.
• She studies hard as he wanted to go to medical school.
• He forgot his book in the class when he returned late to home.
• After the door close, the storekeeper locked the doors.
• Even though they waited for an hour, the train never came.
• I went to the market because I wanted to buy some vegetables.
Joining with Subordinate Conjunctions
Complex sentences can be joined with subordinate conjunctions like if, else, after, before, because, etc.
For example – I like to eat popcorn while watching the movie.
I like eating popcorn: It is an independent clause with the subject I.
Watching the movie: It is a dependent sentence. It cannot express its meaning itself.
Both the clauses are joined with a coordinator as subordinate conjunction which completes the sentence meaning.
Joining with Commas
Complex sentences can be joined with commas.
For example – Before joining the company, I asked about the rules.
I asked about the rules: It is an independent clause with a subject I.
Before joining the company: It is a dependent sentence. It cannot express its meaning itself.
Both clauses are joined with a comma that completes the meaning of the sentence.
NOTE: There is one rule with the comma. If you are using an independent clause first and then joining a dependent clause, you don’t need to include a comma. But when you join the Dependent clause first and then joining to an independent clause, you have to include a comma.
For example:
• Before joining the company, I asked about the rules.
• I asked about the rules before joining the company.
Both are complex sentences, but the first sentence is included with a comma, while another sentence doesn’t need a comma.