Writing Complex Sentences

1
Writing Complex Sentences
2
Independent and Dependent Clauses

• An independent clause contains a subject and its
  verb(s) and makes sense when it stands by itself.
• The childs endless crying is very disturbing to
  her parents.
• Colds, flu, and other respiratory infections
  happen frequently in the winter and cause
  absences from work.
• James got a cup of coffee and turned on his
  computer.

3
Independent and Dependent Clauses

• A dependent clause contains a subject and
  verb(s), but it does not make sense when it
  stands by itself because it begins with a
  subordinating conjunction that is supposed to
  join it to an independent clause.
• Because she has had a terrible cold all week
• When I got to the office and checked my email
  this morning
• After Maria and Hector waited for an hour in the
  doctors office

4
The Simple Sentence

• A simple sentence has a single complete subject
  and one or more complete verb(s) that tell
  something about the subject.
• A simple sentence is also called an independent
  clause.
• An independent clause ends with a period or
  semicolon.

5
Simple Sentence
I love you.
Independent clause only one complete subject
and one simple or compound complete verb.
6
FANBOYS, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Transitional
Expressions

• RememberFANBOYS are the coordinating
  conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
• A conjunctive adverb is a word that connects two
  independent clauses and shows the relationship
  between the ideas.
• I wanted to cash my check unfortunately, the
  bank was closed.

7
FANBOYS, Conjunctive Adverbs, and Transitional
Expressions

• A transitional expression is a phrase that shows
  that relationship.
• I could use a job on the other hand, I like
  having free time.

8
The Compound Sentence

• A compound sentence is made up of two or more
  simple sentences joined by one of the following
• A comma and one of the FANBOYS
• I like to study grammar, and I love this class.
• A semicolon
• I like to study grammar I love this class.
• A semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or
  transitional expression
• I like to study grammar therefore, I love this
  class.

9
Compound Sentence
I love you, and you love me.
Two independent clauses joined together.
10
The Complex Sentence

• A complex sentence is a complete thought
  (independent clause) to which an incomplete
  thought (dependent clause) has been added.
• Because I like to study grammar, I love this
  class.
• I love this class because I like to study grammar.

11
Complex Sentence
Because you love me, I love you.
A dependent clause joined to an independent
clause. (The dependent clause needs the rest of
the sentence for support.)
12
Dependent Clause
Because you love me.
A dependent clause contains a subject and verb.
Because it begins with a subordinating
conjunction, however, it does not express a
complete thought. A dependent clause is also
called a subordinate clause. Dependent clauses,
like babies, cannot stand alone.
13
Punctuation for Dependent Clauses

• Commas are used to join a dependent clause to an
  independent clause if the dependent clause comes
  first in the sentence. The comma must follow the
  dependent clause.
• As I walked down the hallway , I could hear the
  echo of my footsteps.
• (comma needed after the dependent clause)

14
Punctuation for Dependent Clauses

• No comma is used when the dependent clause comes
  after the independent clause. Then, the clauses
  are joined without any punctuation.
• I could hear the echo of my footsteps as I walked
  down the hallway.
• (no comma between the clauses in this sentence)

15
Punctuation for Dependent Clauses

• Since dependent clauses are only part of a
  sentence, you can never use a semicolon to
  connect them to another sentence. Semicolons are
  only used between complete sentences.
• I have loved you for years although I never
  admitted it.
• I have loved you for years although I never
  admitted it.

16
Common Subordinating (Dependent) Conjunctions
17
The Compound-Complex Sentence

• A compound-complex sentence is the last and most
  complicated type of sentence.
• It contains at least one dependent clause and at
  least two independent clauses.

18
Compound-Complex Sentence
Because we are a family, I love you, and you love
me.
A dependent clause added to two or more
independent clauses.
19
Since every sentence in English fits into one of
these four categories,
20
YOU NOW KNOW EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

• to write anything you want to write
• any way you want to write it
• and still get the punctuation right each time!

21
The END