WRITING COMPLEX

SENTENCES

Go from

to

Complex Sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + DEPENDENT
CLAUSE
An independent clause has a SUBJECT and a
VERB.
It expresses a complete thought ALL BY
ITSELF.
EXAMPLES:
The king rewards the soldier for valor in
battle.

Complex Sentence
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + DEPENDENT
CLAUSE

A dependent clause has a SUBJECT and a VERB.

It does not, however, express a complete
thought.
It leaves you wondering about the rest of the
idea.
EXAMPLES:

After the king awarded the soldier for

valor.

Look for conjunctions!

A subordinating conjunction is
used as the first word of a
dependent clause .
until
after
when
although
whenever
as
where
because
wherever
before
whether
even if
while
even though why
If

once
rather
than
since
so that
than
that
though
unless

Remember:
1.
A

dependent clause begins with a subordinate conjunction.

2.
There

are two ways to structure complex sentences:

*INDEPENDENT CLAUSE + DEPENDENT CLAUSE

EX: My parents serve breakfast before I go to school.
* DEPENDENT CLAUSE , + INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
EX: Before I go to school, my parents serve breakfast.
1.

Which part is
DEPENDENT?
After Bob became obsessed with mob movies, he started
having evil thoughts.
AFTER BOB BECAME OBSESSED WITH MOB MOVIES

Kayla got another trophy since she won the spelling bee.
SINCE SHE WON THE SPELLING BEE

Carmen will see the rainbow whenever the storm is over.

WHENEVER THE STORM IS OVER.