Understanding Compound-Complex Sentences

Compound-complex sentences are sentences that contain two independent

clauses and one or more dependent clauses. They are more complicated than
compound sentences or complex sentences as they combine the two styles.
Learning to write compound-complex sentences is an advanced level English
learning task. Make sure you understand both compound and complex sentences
before you begin to study the compound-complex sentences.

Coordinating Conjunctions
Compound sentences use coordinating conjunctions also known as FANBOYS
(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to connect two simple sentences. Remember to
place a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Here are two compound
sentences as examples to review.

I would like to read the book, but it's not available.

Janet is going to visit her grandparents, and she's going to a meeting.

Complex Sentences Adverb Clauses

Complex sentences combine one dependent and one independent clause through
the use of subordinating conjunctions such as because, though, as, while, if, etc
these are also known as dependent adverb clauses. Here are two complex
sentences as examples to review. Notice how the two sentences are similar in
meaning to the two compound sentences.

Though it's not available, I'd like to read the book.

Janet is going to a meeting after she has visited her grandparents.

Remember that the dependent clause can be placed at the beginning or the end
of the sentence. When placing the dependent clause at the beginning of the
sentence, use a comma.

Complex Sentences Using Relative Clauses

Complex sentences also use relative clauses using relative pronouns (who,
which, that, etc.) as the independent clause to modify a noun or noun phrase.
Relative clauses are also known as dependent adjective clauses.

I would like to read the book which was written by John Handy.
Jane is going to visit her grandparents who live in Boston.

Combining the Two

Most compound-complex sentences contain coordinating conjunction and an
adverb or relative clause. Here are examples combining the previous sentences
to write compound-complex sentences.

I would like to read the book which was written by John Handy, but it's not
available.
Jane is going to a meeting after she has visited her grandparents who live in
Boston.

Compound-Complex Sentence Worksheet

Combine the sentences to make one compound-complex sentence.

 Susan teaches the kids who live in the neighborhood. They meet in the
evenings after she comes home from work.
 The doctor wants to prescribe physical therapy, and he asked me to see a
specialist. He recommended Dr. Smith.
 Anthony told us about the assembly of the products. Unfortunately, he
didn't tell us about where they were made.
 We managed to finish the exercise on time and passed the exam. However,
it was very difficult.
 The man spoke little English. Mary understood him, but couldn't help.
 We didn't have much time, so we didn't read the final chapter. However, we
still enjoyed the book.
 We will miss our father greatly. He taught us many lessons. Those lessons
have helped us succeed in life.
 The eagles attract many tourists. They live in the local mountain range.
Unfortunately, the politicians still refuse to protect them.
 We finished our work early, so we decided to go out for a drink. We went to
Allan's Pub.
 The students who attended the university went on strike. They protested
the tuition hikes.

 Sandy wanted to ask her uncle questions about his experiences. Her uncle
fought in WW II.
 The boys refused to ask the teacher any questions. They failed the exam.
 I don't like the food. The staff prepares the food. I also do not like their
unfriendly attitude.
 Sheila loves red. The Mustang is red, but she might wait a few months.
 He can join us if he asks the man who invited us to the party. He can also
stay home.

Answers
There are other variations that are possible than those provided in the answers.
Ask your teacher for other ways to connect these to write complex sentences.

 Susan teaches the kids who live in the neighborhood in the evenings after
she comes home from work.
 The doctor wants to prescribe physical therapy, and he wants me to see Dr.
Smith whom he recommended.
 Anthony instructed us on how the products are assembled, but he failed to
tell us where they were made.
 Although the exercise was difficult, we managed to finish it on time, so we
passed the exam.
 Mary understood the man who spoke little English, but she was unable to
help him.
 Because we had limited time, we didn't read the final chapter, yet we still
enjoyed the book.
 Our father taught us many lessons which helped us succeed in life, and we
will miss him greatly.
 The eagles which live in the local mountain range attract many tourists, but
the local politicians still refuse to protect them.
 As we had finished our work early, we decided to go out for a drink, so we
went to Allan's Pub.
 The students who attended the university went on strike, for they protested
the tuition hikes.
  Sandy never met her uncle who had fought in WW II, yet she wanted to ask
him about his experiences.

 The boys refused to ask the teacher who had instructed them any
questions, so they failed the exam.
 I don't enjoy the food which is prepared by the staff, nor do I appreciate
their unfriendly attitude.
 As she loves red, Sheila wants to buy the Mustang, or she wants to wait for
a few months.
 If he wants to join us, he needs to ask the man who invited us to the party,
or he can stay home.
 State which of the following sentences are compound and which are complex?
 1. The house was destroyed in the fire, but the whole family was saved.
 2. Walking through the wood, he saw a fox that was following him.
 3. If I do not get this job, I will start a business.
 4. He said that he was so disappointed that he would not try again.
 5. The men who rule the world with their pens are mightier than those who rule the world with
their swords.
 6. The evil that men do lives after them.
 7. All that glitters is not gold.
 8. Neither the color nor the design of this cloth appeals to me.
 Answers
 1. Compound sentence (Main clause 1 – The house was destroyed in the fire; main clause 2 –
but the whole family was saved)
 2. Complex sentence (main clause – he saw a fox; subordinate clause – that was following
him)
 3. Complex sentence (main clause – I will start a business; subordinate clause – if I do not get
this job)
 4. Complex sentence (main clause – he said; subordinate clause 1 – that he was so
disappointed; subordinate clause 2 – that he would not try again)
 5. Complex sentence (main clause – the men are mightier; subordinate clause 1 – who rule the
world with their pens; subordinate clause 2 – who rule the world with their swords)
 6. Complex sentence (main clause – the evil lives after them; subordinate clause – that men
do)
 7. Complex sentence (main clause – all is not gold; subordinate clause – that glitters)
 8. Compound sentence (main clause 1 – neither the design appeals to me; main clause 2 –
nor the color of the cloth appeals to me)

3. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent
clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete
sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence.

Examples of dependent clauses include the following:

 because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon
 while he waited at the train station
 after they left on the bus

Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a sentence, but they can be
added to an independent clause to form a complex sentence.

Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most
common subordinating conjunctions:

 after
 although
 as
  because
 before
 even though
 if
 since
 though
 unless
 until
 when
 whenever
 whereas
 wherever
 while

A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses.

The dependent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the independent clause, as in
the following:

Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the
two clauses.

1. Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the
station.
2. While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.
3. After they left on the bus, Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train
station.

Conversely, the independent clauses can go first in the sentence, followed by the dependent
clause, as in the following:

Tip: When the independent clause comes first, a comma should not be used to separate
the two clauses.

1. I did not see them at the station because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station
before noon.
2. Joe realized that the train was late while he waited at the train station.
3. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station after they left on the
bus.

Complex sentences are often more effective than compound sentences because a complex
sentence indicates clearer and more specific relationships between the main parts of the
sentence. The word "before," for instance, tells readers that one thing occurs before another. A
word such as "although" conveys a more complex relationship than a word such as "and"
conveys.

The term periodic sentence is used to refer to a complex sentence beginning with a
dependent clause and ending with an independent clause, as in "While he waited at the train
station, Joe realized that the train was late."

Periodic sentences can be especially effective because the completed thought occurs at the
end of it, so the first part of the sentence can build up to the meaning that comes at the end.

Beginning Sentences with "And" or "Because"

Should you begin a sentence with "and" or "but" (or one of the other coordinating
conjunctions)?
 The short answer is "no." You should avoid beginning a sentence with "and," "or," "but," or the
other coordinating conjunctions. These words generally are used to join together parts of a
sentence, not to begin a new sentence.

However, such sentences can be used effectively. Because sentences beginning with these
words stand out, they are sometimes used for emphasis. If you use sentences beginning with
one of the coordinating conjunctions, you should use these sentences sparingly and carefully.

Should you begin a sentence with "because"?

There is nothing wrong with beginning a sentence with "because."

Perhaps some students are told not to begin a sentence with "because" to avoid sentence
fragments (something like "Because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon" is a sentence fragment), but it is perfectly acceptable to begin a sentence with
"because" as long as the sentence is complete (as in "Because Mary and Samantha arrived at
the bus station before noon, I did not see them at the station.")

1. Pauline and Bruno have a big argument every summer over where they should spend
their summer vacation.
A. Simple Sentence
B. Compound Sentence
C. Complex Sentence
D. Compound-Complex Sentence

2. Pauline loves to go to the beach and spend her days sunbathing.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

3. Bruno, on the other hand, likes the view that he gets from the log cabin up in the
mountains, and he enjoys hiking in the forest.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

4. Pauline says there is nothing relaxing about chopping wood, swatting mosquitoes, and
cooking over a woodstove.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence
 C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

5. Bruno dislikes sitting on the beach; he always gets a nasty sunburn.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

6. Bruno tends to get bored sitting on the beach, watching the waves, getting sand in his
swimsuit, and reading detective novels for a week.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

7. This year, after a lengthy, noisy debate, they decided to take separate vacations.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

8. Bruno went to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Pauline went to Cape
Cod.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

9. Although they are 250 miles apart, they keep in constant contact on the internet.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence
 C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

10. Bruno took the desktop computer that he uses at work, and Pauline sits on the beach
with her laptop computer, which she connects to the internet with a cellular phone.

A. Simple Sentence

B. Compound Sentence

C. Complex Sentence

D. Compound-Complex Sentence

Questions and Answers

 1.
The bus slowed and pulled up to the curb in front of a T-shirt shop. (Patneaude)

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 2.
Other small stores lined both sides of the street for the next few blocks, and Chris quickly
scanned the names on the storefronts nearby. (Patneaude)

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 3.
Pat put his glasses on, too. (Patneaude)
 o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 4.
A few people strolled by them while they stood on the sidewalk glancing around, but nobody
seemed especially curious. (Patneaude)

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 5.
I have only one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 6.
I am a sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

o A.
 Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 7.
I am a sentence with two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Discuss

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 8.
I am a sentence with two indedependent clauses and a coordinating conjunction or a
semicolon that separates the clauses.

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 9.
I contain a subject and verb and cannot stand alone by myself. A subordinating conjunction
usually comes before me in a sentence.

o A.
 Dependent clause

o B.

Independent clause

 10.
I am a clause with a subject and verb, and I make sense all by myself.

o A.

Dependent clause

o B.

Independent clause

 11.
I am a word that joins words, phrases, and clauses.

o A.

Conjunction

o B.

Noun

o C.

Verb

 12.
Identify the sentence structure: After Prince Charming put the glass slipper on her foot,
Cinderella went to the palace and lived happily ever after.

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 13.
Identify the sentence structure:Hank the Cowdog chased Pete the Barncat into Sally Mae's iris
patch, and she was mad!

o A.

Complex
 o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 14.
Identify the sentence structure:After school on Thursday, I threw snowballs at three funny
boys.

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 15.
Identify the sentence structure in the following:Mrs. Johnson writes in her journal as she listens
to a U2 album, and she prefers to do this on cloudy days.
Discuss

o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 16.
Identify the sentence structure:Birds fly, and they migrate towards the south when it is winter
time.
Discuss

o A.
 Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

 17.
Identify the type of clause underlined in the following sentence:Bugs Bunny was a great
philosopher and trickster in his Warner Bros. cartoons.
Discuss

o A.

Dependent clause

o B.

Independent clause

 18.
Identify the type of clause underlined in the following sentence:Whenever Daddy plays a
saxophone solo at the concert, he stands up.
Discuss

o A.

Dependent clause

o B.

Independent clause

 19.
Identify the type of clause underlined in the following:The plants that scare me are the ones
who sing "Feed Me" in a ghoulish manner.
Discuss

o A.

Dependent clause

o B.

Independent clause

 20.
Identify the sentence structure:When my students prepare for their quizzes and tests, I am not
surprised by their success and mastery of the concept even though I know they are more than
capable.
Discuss
 o A.

Complex

o B.

Compound

o C.

Compound-complex

o D.

Simple

1. The Cleveland Indians, who have rebuilt themselves in the off season, have lost their home
opener this year.

Your Answer: Complex

Don't forget about the subordinate clause "who have rebuilt . . . " modifying the subject of the
independent clause "Cleveland Indians." Subordinate + Independent = Complex.

64% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

2. Mark said that he forgot his homework, and he asked if he could make it up later.

Your Answer: Compound

The correct answer was Compound - Complex

The "that" in front of "he forgot his homework" makes that part of the sentence into a
subordinate clause; similarly "if he could make it up later" is a subordinate clause. Two
independent clauses + two subordinate clauses = compound-complex.

27% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

3. Although he was very intelligent, Mario could not figure out how to solve the Rubik's Cube.

Your Answer: Complex

The first clause is subordinate, whereas the rest of the sentence is independent. Don't let the
infinitive phrase "to solve the Rubik's Cube" fool you!

61% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

4. My favorite sport to watch in the fall is football, so I clear my schedule every Sunday to watch the
Browns.

Your Answer: Compound

 Go Browns! Here we have two independent clauses, so we have a compound sentence.

61% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

5. The circus, with its crazy clowns and brave lion tamers, is in town this week.

Your Answer: Complex

The correct answer was Simple

Although it looks as if there might be a subordinate clause, "with its crazy clowns and brave
lion tamers" is an adjectival phrase rather than a clause, as it has no verb.

42% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

6. Joan said she loves shopping, but she doesn't have enough money to do it as often as she would
like!

Your Answer: Compound-Complex

Another understood "that" - this time after said - makes two independent clauses ("Joan said"
and "she doesn't have enough time") and two subordinate clauses.

42% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

7. When he saw the price of the car, he started laughing and walked away.

Your Answer: Complex

The correct answer was Compound-Complex

The subordinate clause is "When he saw the price of the car", while the two independent clauses
are "he started laughing" and "(implied he) walked away".

55% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

8. In the middle of the night, a loud noise from my neighbor's house woke me up.

Your Answer: Complex

The correct answer was Simple

The first part of the sentence is a series of prepositional phrases - don't be tricked into seeing
them as a subordinate clause - there's no verb.

59% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

9. Violence on television has been debated by politicians for years, yet they still don't have a good
plan about how to deal with it.

Your Answer: Compound

Lots of prepositions are in this sentence, which makes it look like a sentence that might have a
few subordinate clauses in it.

56% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

10. This is the end of my quiz, which had to happen sometime; I hope you liked it!

Your Answer: Compound-Complex

The two independent clauses are "This is the end of my quiz" and "I hope you liked it"; they're
joined by a semicolon, making the sentence compound. If you take a closer look, it's also
complex, though: check out the dependent clause "which had to happen sometime"! The
structure is both complex and compound.

Thanks for playing!

38% of players have answered correctly. I see an error - submit correction...

You scored: 6 / 10

You scored 90 points.

The average score for this quiz: 5 / 10

Q1. This is a simple sentence.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q2. I like playing basketball, and my brother likes playing tennis.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex
Q3. I'll help you if you help me.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q4. Her name is Sachiko and she comes from Japan.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q5. My mother cooked dinner while I was doing my homework.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q6. While I was doing my homework, my father cooked the dinner and my mother was asleep in
front of the television.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q7. Do you want to go swimming tomorrow, or would you prefer to play tennis?
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q8. I've brought my umbrella with me in case it rains.

 Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q9. I don't know why he did that.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q10. My family came to Germany when I was in grade 5, but I never learned to speak German very
well.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q11. I'm so pleased that you can come to my party.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q12. He told me that he is returning to London next summer.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q13. I have not seen my grandmother since I came to Germany.

Simple
 Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q14. We were doing a mathematics test when the fire alarm rang yesterday.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q15. She runs every day, so she is very fit.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q16. Because she runs every day, she is very fit.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q17. The new girl in our ESL class has a brother in grade 7 and a sister in grade 9.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q18. You should read every day if you want to improve your English more quickly.
Simple
Compound
 Complex
Compound-complex

Q19. Although it was cold and the rain was getting heavier, we decided to go fishing as planned.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q20. You should start working a little harder or you are going to fail your test.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q21. I didn't know what time it was so I was very late to class.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q22. Most European countries now use the Euro, but the United Kingdom still uses the pound (£).
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q23. To build a doll's house you need wood, a hammer, a saw, and lots of nails.
Simple
Compound
Complex
 Compound-complex

Q24. She failed her driving test because she didn't look in her mirror often enough.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

Q25. He got up, walked over to the window, and jumped out.
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex