Compound-Complex
Sentence Structures
Main Learning Goal and Core Concepts: The goal of this lesson is to learn about the fourth sentence structure in English: Compound-Complex sentences. This sentence structure helps essay writing flow smoother and challenges students to combine basic knowledge from previous sentence structures such as simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Vocabulary
Compound Sentence Structure
A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.
Complex Sentence Structure
A complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause).
Lesson Brief
Lesson Brief: In this lesson, we will learn about compound-complex sentences. These sentences combine characteristics from both compound (two independent clauses) and complex sentences (independent + dependent clauses). These sentences will be joined by a conjunction in order to complete a sentence.
The compound-complex sentence combines compound and complex sentences together. Understanding how to construct the compound-complex sentence will give you another tool to add to the complexity of your writing.
A compound-complex sentence consists of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
Example: Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.
The conjunctions used to combine the two sentences together are FANBOYS (or, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So) and subordinating conjunctions.
- FANBOYS is a mnemonic device, which stands for the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So. They are used to join two or more independent clauses together and must have a comma right before it.
- Subordinating conjunctions are used to introduce a dependent clause.
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- Commonly used: if, while, though
While independent clauses can be found easily, it is much more difficult to spot dependent clauses. In these examples, the dependent, or subordinate, clause is underlined.
- When I grow up, I want to be a ballerina, and my mom is proud of me.
- I will get to watch television, but first, I have to clean up the dishes after we finish eating.
- We won the game, but my uniform was muddy because it rained the entire time.
- After our trip to the beach, school started back, and I was excited to see my friends.
- Sarah cried when her cat got sick, but he soon got better.
- The sun is shining through the clouds, so I think that we can go swimming.
Words to use when starting a sentence:
- Since,
- However,
- Due to fact that,
Directions: From the compound-complex sentences below, underline the dependent clauses.
- When the soccer team scored, we all jumped up and down for joy because it was their first victory in a decade.
- Because it was their first victory in a decade, we all jumped up and down for joy when the soccer team scored.
- It is important to vote when the time comes, or you won’t get a say in new laws.
- Even if she is hungry, she will never eat porridge, but she will always eat crackers.
On your own, now make a compound-complex sentences with these three topics:
- Computer games
- Soccer.
- Reading
Directions: From the compound-complex sentences below, underline the dependent clauses.
- When the soccer team scored, we all jumped up and down for joy because it was their first victory in a decade.
- Because it was their first victory in a decade, we all jumped up and down for joy when the soccer team scored.
- It is important to vote when the time comes, or you won’t get a say in new laws.
- Even if she is hungry, she will never eat porridge, but she will always eat crackers
On your own, now make a compound-complex sentences with these three topics:
- Computer games
- I play computer games during my free time, but during weekdays I study math instead.
- Soccer
- If there isn’t teamwork in soccer, it’s not a sport, but just running through the field.
- Reading
- I have to read a wide range of books such as nonfiction, fantasy and historical fiction because reading only one genre doesn’t allow me to have a diverse perspective.
Notes:
- Compound-complex sentences are used to express a long chain of thought.
- Make sure to break down the sentences in order to check if they are run-on or not. Take a look at our worksheet on run-on sentences here.
- Construct the sentence by first making a compound sentence, then a complex sentence and find the appropriate FANBOYS and subordinating conjunction to make the sentences stick together.
If you want another online writing lesson, additional information can be found here and here.
If you would like a blank copy of our Compound-Complex Sentence Structure worksheet along with corresponding answers, they can be found below: