Grammar: Complex-compound Sentences

 

1. What is a Compound-Complex Sentence?

A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. In simple terms, an independent clause can be a sentence on its own while a dependent clause cannot.

 

2. What is it for?

Compound-complex sentences help us express longer more complicated thoughts, with more parts than other sentences.

They’re good tools for explaining complicated ideas or describing long chains of events.

 

3. Examples:

 

i.                    Kate doesn’t like cartoons because they are loud, so she doesn’t watch them.

 

Kate doesn’t like cartoons – Independent clause

 she doesn’t watch them – Independent clause

because they are loud – dependent clause

 

ii.                  The dog started barking so the cat ran away and I couldn’t keep up, so I stopped.

 

The dog started barking – independent clause

the cat ran away – independent clause

I couldn’t keep up – independent clause

so I stopped – dependent clause

 

4. Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect independent clauses and other short phrases. There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and you can remember them using the acronym FANBOYS.

F – for

A – and

N – nor

B – but

O – or

Y – yet

S – so

 

 

5. Exercise

The following sentences are complex-compound sentences.

Identify the independent clauses (IC), the dependent clause (D) and the coordinating conjunction [CC] in each of the following sentences:

 

i.         Even though she was tired, Abby knew she had to finish the race and she ran to meet her team.

ii.        Usually I take a walk every day while the sun sets, but it was raining today.

iii.      She likes to sleep in but she can get up early if she has work.

 

Answers:

i.                    Even though she was tired [D]

Abby knew she had to finish the race [IC]

she ran to meet her team [IC]

Even though [CC]

ii.                  Usually I take a walk every day [IC]

while the sun sets [D]

it was raining today [IC]

but [CC]

iii.                She likes to sleep in [IC]

she can get up early [IC]

if she has work [D]

if [CC]

 

 

6.  How to Write Compound-Complex Sentences

So now you’re familiar with the parts of compound-complex sentences, and it’s time to start putting them together. This is as easy as coming up with two sentences and one extra bit of information, and then using conjunctions to link them all up. Let’s create a brand new sentence to show how they’re made.

Step 1: Independent clause

The first independent clause of your compound-complex sentence should have a strong main idea because it will remain one of the main points of your sentence no matter what you add to it. Let’s say I want to write a sentence about a cat. My independent clause might look like this:

The cat jumped onto the couch.

This is a complete sentence all on its own, which is how we know it’s a good independent clause for our complex-compound sentence.

Step 2: Related independent clause

Now we need another independent clause that is related to the first independent clause. Often this means that the two independent clauses will have the same subject, or share another word in common, but not necessarily; the second clause should either continue describing the action or add information of about equal importance with the first independent clause:

The cat sat down on top of the remote control.

This is another complete sentence which continues the action and is at least as important as the first independent clause. Now we’re ready for a dependent clause.

Step 3: Dependent clause

Our dependent clause will spice up the two independent clauses that we’ve already written. It could tell us more about the situation or explain an action, but it can’t be a complete sentence on its own. Here’s a dependent clause:

just when I was reaching for the remote control

Clearly, this is only part of a sentence. When we stick it in the right place and add the right conjunctions, it’ll make much more sense.

Step 4: Put it together with conjunctions

Let’s gather all of our clauses and decide on an order.

§  The cat jumped onto the couch.

§  The cat sat down on top of the remote control

§  just when I was reaching for the remote control

We can easily put this one together:

The cat jumped onto the couch and (the cat) sat down on top of the remote control just when I was reaching for it.

We might leave out the second the cat and replace the second remote control with it, because the sentence sounds repetitive otherwise, but it is grammatically correct either way.

And there it is: a compound-complex sentence! We have our two independent clauses, one dependent clause, and conjunctions that link everything together. 

 

 

7. Exercise

Use the given phrases to form complex-compound sentences

 

1.       the temperature has dropped

it’s windy outside

wear a jacket.

 

2.       the team captain jumped for joy

the fans cheered

we won the state championship.

 

3.       Mitchell prefers watching romantic films

he rented the latest spy thriller

he enjoyed it very much.

 

4.       Laura forgot her friend's birthday

she sent her a card

she finally remembered

 

Suggested answers:

1.       The temperature has dropped and it’s windy outside, so wear a jacket.

2.        The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered because we won the state championship.

3.        Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.

4.       Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered. Because compound-complex sentences are normal