Examples of Complex Sentences

Below are examples of complex sentences. In each example, the independent clause is shaded. The dependent clause is
unshaded.
 Stay in the bath until the phone rings.
 Both the cockroach and the bird would get along very well without us, although the cockroach would miss us
most. (Joseph Wood Krutch, 1893-1970)
 Leave while you can.
 When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right.
When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. (Arthur C. Clarke)
(This is two complex sentences.)

Subordinating Conjunctions in Complex Sentences

The word used to link an independent clause to a dependent clause is called a subordinating conjunction. The most
common subordinating conjunctions are although, because, before, even though, if, since, until, and when.

In these examples of complex sentences, the subordinating conjunctions are shown in

bold.
 We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with
ourselves. (Dalai Lama)
 Wise men speak because they have something to say. Fools
speak because they have to say something. (Athenian philosopher Plato)
 Even though he's a moron, I supported Tyson Fury. (Boxer David Haye)
The role of a subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause is to establish a time, a
place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause. (NB:
Dependent clauses are also known as a subordinate clauses.)