Complex Sentence: Sentence Structure

Let’s learn about complex sentence structure.

We’ve been taught since pre-school that the basic parts of a sentence are its subject and verb. Taking that to heart, let’s delve into the different kinds of structure – the simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Why do you need to learn these? Because the plain existence of a subject and a verb in a sentence isn’t enough to fuel a message. Using varying kinds of sentences makes your writing – and speaking – more intelligent and compelling.

Related Reading: Compound Sentence – Sentence Structure

What is a Complex Sentence?

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause. You may recall that a subordinate clause is a group of words that do not express a complete thought. Examples of subordinate clauses are adjective clauses and adverb clauses. 

To review, adjective clauses usually start with relative pronouns like who, whom, which, that, whose to describe a noun in a sentence. “She lost my favorite bag which I bought last year.” 

Adverb clauses function as an adverb that modifies the verb, adjective, or another adverb in a sentence. Adverb clauses normally start with subordinating conjunctions like before, until, when, whenever, and since. “Mom sings whenever she’s happy.”

Here are examples of complex sentences with the subordinate clauses in bold. 

• Since graduation, Mary has not reached out to her college friends.

One independent clause: Mary has not reached out to her college friends

Subordinate clause: Since graduation

• Maybe they grew apart after living in different worlds that changed who they were. 

One independent clause: Maybe they grew apart

Two subordinate clauses: after living in different worlds; that changed who they were

• Although Jewel has travelled the world since she was a teenager, she still hasn’t found a place to call home.

One independent clause: she still hasn’t found a place to call home 

Two subordinate clauses: Although Jewel has travelled the world; since she was a teenager

Exercise:

In each complex sentence below, indicate the independent clause and the subordinate clause. Bolden the subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns used. Some sentences have more than one subordinate clause. 

1. After an exhausting month at work, Myra hit the beach to unwind.
2. Even if it hurt, he chose to let her go when she said she needed space.
3. As we achieve higher things, we tend to forget the things that really matter. 
4. This pandemic will happen again unless we make a change today while we still can.  
5. She met her soulmate during these insane times where physical distancing and isolation are the new normal. 

Answers:

2) Even if it hurt, he chose to let her go when she said she needed space.

Independent Clause: He chose to let her go

Subordinate Clauses: 1. Even if it hurt 2. when she said she needed space.

3) As we aim for higher things, we tend to forget what really matters. 

Independent Clause: we tend to forget what really matters.

Subordinate Clause: As we aim for higher things

4) This pandemic will happen again unless we make a change today while we still can.  

Independent Clause: This pandemic will happen again

Subordinate Clauses: 1. unless we make a change today 2. while we still can.

5) She met her soulmate during these insane times when physical distancing and isolation are the new normal.

Independent Clause: She met her soulmate

Subordinate Clauses: 1. during these insane times 2. when physical distancing and isolation are the new normal.

Thank you for reading. We hope it’s effective! Always feel free to revisit this page if you ever have any questions about complex sentence structure.

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Compound Complex Sentence: Sentence Structure

Simple Sentence: Sentence Structure