Sentence Structure Part Three

Compound Sentences, Complex Sentences, and Compound-Complex Sentences

Section One: Review of Compound Sentences
A simple sentence has a subject, a verb, and it expresses a complete idea or thought. It also has
a period! Dont forget the period! You can connect two simple sentences with a comma and a
coordinating conjunction such as and, so, but, and or. This produces a compound sentence.

Compound Sentence
= an independent clause + a comma + a coordinating conjunction + an independent clause +
a period
Com
ma

Coordinat
ing
Conjuncti
on

I dont have any money

so

Working everyday isnt fun

*We went to the beach on
Saturday

but

Im not going out for dinner on

Friday
I like earning my own money

and

the weather was beautiful

You could study German

or

maybe youd prefer to study

Portuguese

Independent
Clause

Independent
Clause

Peri
od
.
.

Look at the following pairs of simple sentences. Combine the sentences using coordinating
conjunctions to create compound sentences. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and logic.
1. My ex-girlfriend hates me. She never answers my phone calls.
2. Juan Pablo lived in Shanghai for two years. He speaks basic Mandarin.
3. You can get to Chia by bus. It is cheaper than taking a taxi.
4. Luz and Julio are planning a trip to Santiago, Chile. They might visit us in Bogota instead.
5. Exercising regularly is a good way to reduce stress. I try to go to the gym a few times a week.

All of the following sentences have one error. Identify the error and make corrections.
1. My mother was born in Cali, but moved to Barranquilla when she was very young.
2. I have many goals for the future, and Im going to work hard to achieve them
3. Clara and Valentina wanted to come to my birthday party, so they had to study for an exam
the next day.

4. Our history class is at 6:30 in the morning so I usually go to bed early the night before.
5. ice cream is delicious, but I dont eat it very often.
6. My sister plays tennis, and volleyball.
Section Two: Complex Sentences using a Variety of Subordinating Conjunctions
A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it doesnt express a complete idea or
thought. It must be connected to an independent clause. You probably already know how to
connect dependent clauses and independent clauses using the word because, which is one
example of a subordinating conjunction. This produces a complex sentence, and it can be
written in two different ways. The punctuation rules are different in each style.

Complex Sentence (Option 1)

= an independent clause + a subordinating conjunction + a dependent clause + a period
Independent
Clause
I am extremely busy

Subordinating Conjunction
with a Dependent Clause
because I have a lot of English homework

Perio
d
.

Complex Sentence (Option 2)

= a subordinating conjunction + a dependent clause + a comma + an independent clause + a
period
Subordinating Conjunction
with a Dependent Clause
Because I have a lot of English homework

Comma
,

Independent
Clause
I am extremely busy

Period
.

In addition to because, there are other subordinating conjunctions that you need to learn.
Although each subordinating conjunction has a different meaning (and some have two
meanings), they all follow the same grammatical patterns. Study the following list of common
subordinating conjunctions. You are expected to understand and to be able to use all of them.
after
before
unless
although
(= even if
until
though)
even though
when
as
if
whenever
as long as
provided (that)
whereas
as soon as
since
while
because
Section Three: Understanding and Using a Variety of Subordinating Conjunctions
In small groups, look up each of these subordinating conjunctions in a learners dictionary. In
your notebook, please write the example of a complex sentence that is provided by the
dictionary. If you are unsure of the meaning, ask a classmate or your teacher. Next, write your
own example of a complex sentence using the subordinating conjunction. Be creative! Finally,
rewrite your sentence in the other style, and pay attention to punctuation.

E.g.

because
Dictionary Example:
Your Example Style 1:
with stress.
Your Example Style 2:
regularly.

You cant go because youre too young.

I exercise regularly because it helps me relax and cope
Because it helps me relax and cope with stress, I exercise

Section Four: Choosing Appropriate Subordinating Conjunctions

Fill in the gaps with a suitable subordinating conjunction. In some cases, more than one option is
possible, so write all of the possible answers; in these cases, if the meaning of the sentence
changes, what is the difference?
1. ____________________ I was born in Tunja, I grew up in Bogota.
2. I would like to go to the beach tomorrow ____________________ it is raining.
3. We are going to go to the cafeteria ____________________ our English class finishes.
4. ____________________ the teacher entered the classroom, I turned off my mobile phone.
5. I studied engineering for one year ____________________ I began studying law at Los Andes.
6. ____________________ he takes a taxi, he wont arrive at his appointment on time.
7. Camilo should have let you know ____________________ he was coming to the party or going to
a movie.
8. The exam shouldnt be too difficult ____________________you have attended most classes and
studied hard.
9. My boyfriend was sad ____________________ I told him that I had decided to study in Canada for
six months.
10.____________________ some students have 4.5 hours of English classes per week, other
students have none.
11.Julia has been depressed ____________________ her iPhone was stolen last weekend.
12.____________________ I was studying Biology, she was studying Chemistry.
13.Elkin would like to do a specialization in Argentina ____________________ he can afford it.
14.____________________ I get 80% or higher on the test, I will be happy.

Section Five: Compound-Complex Sentences

Are you ready to take it one step further? You can combine a simple sentence with a complex
sentence to create a compound-complex sentence. Look at the examples in the table. Next, add
one example sentence in the last row.
Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 1)
= an Independent Clause + a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a comma
+ a coordinating conjunction + an independent clause + a period
Independent
Subordinating
Com
Coordina
Independent
Peri

Clause
I went to the
party
He was
showering
They failed the
test
We will see you

Conjunction
with a Dependent
Clause

ma

ting
Conjuncti
on

even though I was tired

and

when I called him

but

so

or

because they didnt

study
if we eat in the
cafeteria

Clause
I had a really great
time
he called me back
later
they shouldnt
complain
we can meet after
that

od
.
.
.
.

There are many different ways to form compound-complex sentences. We have already looked at
one style, and now were going to look at three more. Rewrite the sentences from the first table
in the table below.
Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 2)
= a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a Comma + an Independent Clause +
a comma
+ a Coordinating Conjunction + an Independent Clause + a Period
Coordina
Subordinating
Com
Independent Comm
ting
Independent Peri
Conjunction with a
ma
Clause
a
Conjuncti
Clause
od
Dependent Clause
on

Look at the examples in the table below. Next, add one more compound-complex sentence in the
last row.
Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 3)
= an Independent Clause + a Comma + a Coordinating Conjunction + an Independent Clause
+ a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a Period
Coordina
Subordinating
Independent
Comm
ting
Independent
Conjunction
Peri
Clause
a
Conjuncti
Clause
with a Dependent
od
on
Clause
although its
I love WOK
,
and
I eat there often
.
expensive
She wanted to see
since she had no
,
but
it was impossible
.
Paris
money
Finding a job is
use your
,
so
if youve got them
.
hard
connections
A Sony Vaio is
if you like Apple
,
or
you can get a Mac
.
good
products

Rewrite the sentences above in the table below. Notice the difference in punctuation.

Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 4)

= an Independent Clause + a Comma + a Coordinating Conjunction + a Subordinating
Conjunction
+ a Dependent Clause + a Comma + an Independent Clause + a Period
Coordina
Subordinating
Independe
Com
ting
Conjunction
Com
Independent
Peri
nt
ma
Conjuncti
with a Dependent
ma
Clause
od
Clause
on
Clause