From the creators of “Simple & Compound From the creators of “Simple & Compound Sentences” Von Steuben’s English Sentences” Von Steuben’s English

Department is proud to presentDepartment is proud to present

COMPLEX COMPLEX SENTENCESSENTENCES

Simple Sentences ReviewSimple Sentences Review

A simple sentence is also known as an A simple sentence is also known as an independent clauseindependent clause; this means it has a ; this means it has a

clear subject (or noun) and predicate (verb).clear subject (or noun) and predicate (verb). BTWBTW: A sentence MUST express a complete: A sentence MUST express a complete

thought, otherwise it is considered a sentence thought, otherwise it is considered a sentence fragment, a.k.a. an fragment, a.k.a. an DEPENDENT CLAUSEDEPENDENT CLAUSE..

Ex. 1 Zeus was the king of all the gods. Ex. 1 Zeus was the king of all the gods.

Ex. 2 His behavior was sometimes Ex. 2 His behavior was sometimes dishonorabledishonorable..

Compound Sentence ReviewCompound Sentence Review

Compound sentences are created using Compound sentences are created using one of three methods to join two one of three methods to join two independent clauses together:independent clauses together: Method 1Method 1: a comma + a conjunction : a comma + a conjunction (FANBOYS (FANBOYS

word)word) Method 2:Method 2: a semi-colon (;),or a semi-colon (;),or Method 3Method 3: a semi-colon + conjunctive adverb.: a semi-colon + conjunctive adverb.

For example (using Method 3):For example (using Method 3):Zeus was the king of all the gods; however, Zeus was the king of all the gods; however, his behavior was not always honorable.his behavior was not always honorable.

Complex SentencesComplex SentencesA A dependent clause is also known as a sentence fragmentdependent clause is also known as a sentence fragment, , or a phrase that does not express a complete thought.or a phrase that does not express a complete thought. Therefore, a complex sentence is created using one of two Therefore, a complex sentence is created using one of two methods methods

Method Method 1: 1: independent clause + dependent clause.independent clause + dependent clause.

Ex. Ex. Orpheus lost EurydiceOrpheus lost Eurydice because he did not obey the gods’ ordersbecause he did not obey the gods’ orders.. ((independent clause) + (dependent clause– can’t stand alone)independent clause) + (dependent clause– can’t stand alone)

Method 2Method 2: : Dependent clause + a comma (,) + independent Dependent clause + a comma (,) + independent clauseclause

EXAMPLEEXAMPLEBecause he did not obey the gods’ ordersBecause he did not obey the gods’ orders, , Orpheus lost EurydiceOrpheus lost Eurydice..

(dependent clause, or fragment)(dependent clause, or fragment) (independent clause)(independent clause)

Helpful HintsHelpful Hints

Hint #1Hint #1: Complex Sentences often : Complex Sentences often show cause-and-effect in your writing.show cause-and-effect in your writing.

Hint #2:Hint #2: In order to identify a complex In order to identify a complex sentence, look for the subordinating sentence, look for the subordinating conjunction!!conjunction!!

Hint #3:Hint #3: There is NO COMMA There is NO COMMA before before the subordinating conjunction.the subordinating conjunction.

Subordinating ConjunctionsSubordinating Conjunctions

Think: Think: BABAWUWUISTBABAWUWUIST

BeforeBefore WhenWhen IfIf

AfterAfter UnlessUnless SinceSince

BecauseBecause WhileWhile ThroughThrough

AlthoughAlthough UntilUntil

Now You Try!Now You Try!With a neighbor, write a complex sentence about your childhood hero With a neighbor, write a complex sentence about your childhood hero

using BOTH methods (2 mins)using BOTH methods (2 mins)

Method 1: Method 1: Independent clause + Dependent clause.Independent clause + Dependent clause.

Ex. Ex. Orpheus lost EurydiceOrpheus lost Eurydice because he did not obey the gods’ ordersbecause he did not obey the gods’ orders.. ((independent clause) + (dependent clause– can’t stand alone)independent clause) + (dependent clause– can’t stand alone)

Method 2Method 2::Dependent clause + a comma (,) + Independent clauseDependent clause + a comma (,) + Independent clause

EXAMPLEEXAMPLEBecause he did not obey the gods’ ordersBecause he did not obey the gods’ orders, , Orpheus lost EurydiceOrpheus lost Eurydice..

(dependent clause, or fragment)(dependent clause, or fragment) (independent clause)(independent clause)

COMPOUND-COMPOUND-COMPLEX COMPLEX

SENTENCESSENTENCES

……and now for something a little different, allow me to and now for something a little different, allow me to introduce…introduce…

ReviewReviewSimple sentencesSimple sentences have one main clause have one main clause

and and no subordinate clauses no subordinate clauses

Compound sentences Compound sentences have two or more have two or more main clauses, but main clauses, but no subordinate clauses.no subordinate clauses.

Subordinate Clauses Subordinate Clauses (a.k.a. “sentence (a.k.a. “sentence fragments” are clauses that are missing fragments” are clauses that are missing either a subject or predicate and therefore either a subject or predicate and therefore cannot stand alonecannot stand alone)) HINT: Look for BABAWUISTA words as cluesHINT: Look for BABAWUISTA words as clues

Complex & Compound-Complex & Compound-Complex Sentences are Complex Sentences are

Slightly Different Slightly Different A A complex sentence complex sentence has has one main one main

clause and one or more clause and one or more subordinate clausessubordinate clausesFor Example:For Example:

Because we had the day offBecause we had the day off, ,

(subordinating clause)(subordinating clause)

we slept-in until the midafternoon.we slept-in until the midafternoon.

(independent clause)(independent clause)

Compound-Complex Compound-Complex SentencesSentences

A A compound-complex sentence compound-complex sentence has more has more than one main clause and than one main clause and at least at least one one subordinate clause.subordinate clause.For Example:For Example:Although it was a Tuesday, Although it was a Tuesday, we slept-in until midafternoonwe slept-in until midafternoon

(subordinating clause)(subordinating clause) (independent clause)(independent clause)

because parent-teacher conferences were scheduled for the day because parent-teacher conferences were scheduled for the day

(subordinating clause)(subordinating clause)

and while our parents have to come to school,and while our parents have to come to school,

(subordinating clause)(subordinating clause)

we didn’t have to go to our classes that daywe didn’t have to go to our classes that day..

(independent clause)(independent clause)

Student PracticeStudent Practice In the In the Writer’s ChoiceWriter’s Choice textbook, pages 543- textbook, pages 543-

544, Practice 6-8*.544, Practice 6-8*.Read the directions and complete the tasks for Read the directions and complete the tasks for

Practice 6 & 7Practice 6 & 7For Practice 8 although the directions ask for a For Practice 8 although the directions ask for a

variety of sentences types, you’ll only need to variety of sentences types, you’ll only need to create 1 of each type (four total):create 1 of each type (four total):SimpleSimpleCompoundCompoundComplexComplexCompound-ComplexCompound-Complex

*For your convenience, a PDF version of this activity has been uploaded to BOTH vonsteuben.org & the Student Portal*For your convenience, a PDF version of this activity has been uploaded to BOTH vonsteuben.org & the Student Portal