Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences

Name: Date:

Worksheet One
This worksheet accompanies slides 5 of Complex Sentences.ppt

What are complex sentences?

Read each definition below and decide whether it is true or false.

Cross out the wrong answers.

1. Complex sentences are sentences about complicated

subjects such as quantum theory. True/False

2. Complex sentences are sentences written by people with

psychological problems. True/False

3. Complex sentences are sentences containing a main clause

and at least one subordinate clause. True/False

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Two
This worksheet accompanies slide 9 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Joining clauses
Join these main clauses and subordinate clauses by filling in the gaps with
different connectives from the list underneath.

How does varying the connectives change the meanings of the sentences?

1. I hate school uniform ________________ it is very practical.

2. I used to like it ________________ I became fashion

conscious.

3. I have to wear it ________________ I am at this school.

4. I only wear it ________________ if I don’t I’ll get done.

5. I won’t wear it ________________ I leave.

6. Then I’ll go to college ________________ you don’t have to

wear one.

until while although

because where when

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Three
This worksheet accompanies slide 13 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Adverbial clauses
Tom has written a paragraph describing his most recent football match.

Rewrite his paragraph and add some adverbial clauses to make the paragraph
more descriptive and exciting to read.

The referee blew his whistle. The opposition took possession

of the ball and ran towards our goal. My team’s defender
tackled the opposition and kicked the ball to me. I ran
towards their goal and then I passed the ball to my friend.
The ball was kicked above their goal box. I headed the ball
into the goal – I scored!

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Four
This worksheet accompanies slide 16 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Adding a comma
Read the complex sentences below and decide where a comma is needed.

Draw them in the correct places.

1. If you are tired you should have a rest.

2. Before you can watch TV you must do your chores.

3. Unless you practise you won’t pass your music exam.

4. Because she was ill Sally couldn’t play outside.

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Five
This worksheet accompanies slide 20 of Complex Sentences.ppt

How many commas are needed?

Match the beginning of each rule about punctuating complex sentences with
the correct ending.

Draw a line between the boxes to link them.

When aasentence
When sentencefinishes
…one comma is placed
with a subordinate clause
finishes with a
introduced by a connective…
before it.
subordinate clause…

When a subordinate clause is

…no commas are needed.
placed in the middle of a
sentence…

When a sentence begins with

a subordinate clause… …a comma is placed before
and after it.

When a sentence ends with a

subordinate clause which is …one comma is placed after
not introduced by a it.
connective…

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Six
This worksheet accompanies slide 21 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Commas revision
Read the complex sentences below and decide how many commas are needed –
if any – to separate the main clause from the subordinate clause.

Write in the spaces the number of commas each sentence requires.

1. He says that if he is given a detention he will not attend.

No. of ___ comma(s)

2. The examiner went away for a holiday desperate for a break.

No. of ___ comma(s)

3. The examiner went away for a holiday when the exams were
marked. No. of ___ comma(s)

4. He thought that because she was so pretty she would be

bound to marry. No. of ___ comma(s)

5. When the fire alarm rang the pupils exited the room
immediately. No. of ___ comma(s)

6. Although it was expensive I bought a season ticket for

Manchester United. No. of ___ comma(s)

7. I bought a season ticket for Manchester United although it

was expensive. No. of ___ comma(s)

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
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Worksheet Six continued

This worksheet accompanies slide 21 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Now rewrite the seven complex sentences with the correct punctuation in the
spaces provided.

1. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

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 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Seven
This worksheet accompanies slide 26 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Punctuating complex sentences

Fill in the gaps in the passage with the correct punctuation marks from the box.

It was an eerie night__dark__cold and misty__A dog howled

somewhere on the moor__breaking the stillness. I felt scared__

I shivered__I walked slowly towards the castle__its bulk

dominating the hilltop__After a few minutes of walking__I began

to feel warmer__I approached the castle__which looked gothic

and uninviting__and looked for a doorway__

, , . , , , ; . , . . . : .

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