Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences

Name ______

English 9, Depoy/Vallor

Period _____

Compound, Complex and Compound-Complex Sentences

A compound sentence consists of one of the following:

Two independent clauses (each with its own subject and verb) joined by a semi-colon

(The sentences should be closely related in subject matter.)

Madison and Emily wanted to do well on their presentation; therefore, they videotaped it in advance.

I am finally sixteen; it's time to get my driver's license.

OR

Two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction

(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)

examples:

for

I did my homework, for it was due today.

*and

My friend came over for dinner, and then we went to the movies.

nor

I do not like Brussels sprouts, nor does my sister.

but

I wanted to go to the mall, but my homework was more important.

*or

I will come to your house to study, or you can come to mine.

yet

It's only November, yet the temperature is cold already.

so

I want to do well in school, so I will stay organized.

*When using "and" or "or" as coordinating conjuctions, it is usually best not to repeat the same subject, or your sentence will be repetitive.

Example: It is better to write the following…

I went to the grocery store and then to the arcade.

than to repeat the subject as follows:

I went to the grocery store, and then I went to the arcade.

*As this example shows, a compound sentence is not always the best choice in every case. Good writing requires good judgment!

*Practice: Write a compound sentence for each of the coordinating conjunctions. Remember that there must be two independent clauses in the sentence!

1. , for

2. , and

3. , nor

4. , but

5. , or

6. , yet

7. , so

Write a compound sentence using a semi-colon.

8.

Combine these sentences correctly into compound sentences.

9. I did all of my homework. Later I had time to relax.

10. I don't like getting up early in the morning. It's important that I do so.

More Practice with Compound Sentences

A compound sentence is composed of two independent clauses (sentences) joined together by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (one of the “fanboys”) OR a semicolon.

Write compound sentences with each of the following coordinating conjunctions.

*Remember to place a comma before the coordinating conjunction unless it is a very short sentence.

1. FOR ______

1. AND ______

1. NOR ______

1. BUT ______
   
2. OR ______
   
3. YET ______
   
4. SO ______

Write compound sentences using a semi-colon.

1. ______

1. ______

1. ______

Complex Sentences:

A complex sentence contains an independent clause (simple sentence) and a dependent clause, which depends on the other part of the sentence to make sense.

Rules:

*The dependent clause must have its own subject and verb!

*The dependent clause can go before or after the independent clause. If it

goes before, it must be followed by a comma.

*The dependent clause starts with one of the following words:

After Even ifSinceWhere as

AlthoughEven thoughSo thatWherever

AsIfThough Whether

As ifIf onlyWhenWhile

BecauseIn the event thatWheneverUnless

BeforeOnceWhereUntil

Examples: Chris watched TV after he finished his homework.

(Independent clause, dependent clause)

After he finished his homework, Chris watched TV.

(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)

Callie won first place in the race although she was exhausted.

(Independent clause, dependent clause)

Although she was exhausted, Callie won first place in the race.

(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)

Nathan earned an A on his paper because he edited it carefully.

(Independent clause, dependent clause)

Because he edited it carefully, Nathan earned an A on his paper.

(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)

If it is followed by an independent clause, it’s okay to start a sentence with “because.”

(Dependent clause, comma, independent clause)

It’s okay to start a sentence with “because” if it is followed an independent clause.

(Independent clause, dependent clause)

Practice:

Directions: Create a complex sentence by adding a dependent clause to the independent clause.

11. William studied hard ______

______.

12. ______,Taylor took the test.

13. Jonathan will go to the party______

______.

14. ______,Michael scored a touchdown.

15. Chris stayed after school ______

______.

16. ______,Carly switched another math class.

17. Zachary took a picture ______

______.

18. ______,Justin knew the answer.

19. Jordan won an award ______

______.

20. ______,Matthew saw the movie.

21. Isis read the book ______

______.

22. ______, Mina made the honor roll.

23. Aaron went to the homecoming dance ______

______.

24. ______,Rebecca wrote a poem.

25. Thomas got his driver’s license ______

______.

26. ______,Faith got an “A.”

27. Rachael goes to school ______

______.

28. ______,Kyle watches his favorite T.V. show.

29. Chris went to the mall ______

______.

30. ______,Brandon won the contest.

31. Stephanie will go to college ______

______.

32. ______,Michael does his homework.

33. Connor goes to football practice ______

______.

34. ______,Dana raised her hand.

35. Maya took her SAT’s ______

______.

36. ______,Samantha talks to her friend on the phone.

37. Claire went to the beach ______

______.

38. ______,Tyla went to a friend’s house.

39. Jeremy went to McDonald’s after school ______

______.

40. ______, Lizzie studied for a quiz.

More Practice:

Don’t forget the rules:

*The dependent clause must have its own subject and verb!

*If the dependent clause goes before the independent clause, it must be followed by a comma.

*The dependent clause starts with one of the following words:

AfterEven ifSinceWhere as

AlthoughEven thoughSo thatWherever

AsIfThough Whether

As ifIf onlyWhenWhile

BecauseIn the event thatWheneverUnless

BeforeOnceWhereUntil

Directions: Write five complex sentences that begin with dependent clauses and five complex sentences that end with dependent clauses. *You may only use these words once each!

Dependent clauses at end:

41.

42.

43.

44.

45.

Dependent clauses at beginning:

46.

47.

48.

49.

50.

Compound-complex sentences:

Ready for a challenge? Now try joining compound and complex sentences to create compound-complex sentences.

A compound-complex sentence has two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

To form a compound-complex sentence, write a compound sentence and then add a dependent clause, or you can write a complex sentence and add an independent clause.

Examples:

Aliya and Megan ate lunch together; when they were finished, they went to class.

(independent clause, semi-colon, dependent clause, independent clause)

After Alex and Parveen got home from school, Alex called Parveen on the phone; they made plans to see a movie.

(dependent clause, independent clause, semi-colon, independent clause)

Jonathan and Nick are good friends;whenever one of them needs help, the other will be there.

(IC, semi-colon, DC, IC)

Megan needed help with a project,so she asked Victoria if she would meet her in the library.

(IC, coordinating conjunction, IC, DC)

Because James forgot his book, he shared with Wilbert, so they could both follow along with the class.

(DC IC , coordinating conjunction IC)

Now try some on your own. Below each sentence, write the order as in the examples above. Example: (IC, semi-colon, DC, IC)

51.

order:

52.

order:

53.

order:

54.

order:

55.

order:

More practice with compound-complex sentences:

Write four different compound-complex sentences using coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or , yet, so).

1. (DC, IC , coordinating conjunction IC)

______

______

2. (IC DC , coordinating conjunction IC)

______

______

3. (IC , coordinating conjunction IC DC)

______

______

4. (IC , coordinating conjunction DC, IC)

______

______

Write four different compound-complex sentences using semi-colons.

5. (DC, IC ; IC)

______

______

6. (IC DC ; IC)

______

______

7. (IC ; IC DC)

______

______

8. (IC ; DC, IC)

______

______

1