COMPLEX

SENTENCE

What is a Complex
Sentence ?
It is a simple sentence joined by a
clause.
It consists of one main clause and
one or more subordinate clauses.

A Complex Sentence
can be formed with at least one
independent clause and one
dependent clause.
is joined by a subordinating
conjunction such as because, since,
after, and many others or a relative
pronoun such as that, who, or which
and others.

 can be constructed in two ways:

1). Independent clause can go first in the

sentence followed by the subordinating
conjunction and Dependent clause.
Example: They did not attend the function
as it was raining heavily.
or
2). Subordinating conjunction can go
first in the sentence followed by the
Dependent clause and Independent clause.
Example: As it was raining heavily, they did
not attend the function.

Examples of subordinating
conjunctions:
as

because

provided
(that)

since

although

even if

even
though

though

in order
that

so (that)

after

as soon as

until

while

who

which

whose

how

when

that

before

where(ever)

unless

if

Exercise 1
Separate each of the following complex sentences into a simple sentence and a
clause.

1. Leong found a wallet which was full of money.

_________________________________________ simple sentence
_________________________________________ clause
2. The wallet which Leong found belonged to Pak Abu.
_________________________________________ simple sentence
_________________________________________ clause
3. The boy who jumped over the gate, hurt himself.
_________________________________________ simple sentence
_________________________________________ clause
4. As he did not study, he failed.
_________________________________________ simple sentence
_________________________________________ clause

Answers :
1. Leong found a wallet which was full of money.
Leong found a wallet - simple sentence
which was full of money -clause
2. The wallet which Leong found belonged to Pak Abu.
The wallet belonged to Pak Abu. -simple sentence
Leong found the wallet -clause

3. The boy who jumped over the gate, hurt himself.

The boy hurt himself -simple sentence
who jumped over the gate -clause
4. As he did not study, he failed.
He failed -simple sentence
as he did not study -clause

Exercise 2:
Combine each pair of simple sentences to make a complex
sentence.
Example:
Rina was helpful. We will never forget her.
We will never forget Rina who was helpful.
1. The farmer had a goose. The goose laid a golden egg

everyday.
____________________________________________________________
2. She will wait for her boy friend. She will wait till he came.
____________________________________________________________
3. Muthu is her son. He is a good athlete.
____________________________________________________________
4. The giant came for his magic goose. The farmer stole the
goose.
____________________________________________________________
5. Do not eat too much carbohydrates. You will become obese.
____________________________________________________________

Answers :
1. The farmer had a goose which laid a golden
egg everyday.

2. She will wait for her boyfriend till he came.

3. Muthu is a good son as well as a good athlete.
4. The giant came for his magic goose which the
farmer had stolen.

5. Do not eat too much carbohydrates or you will

become obese.

6. He will be late and that is certain.

Conclusion:
Complex sentences are often more effective
than compound sentences because a
complex sentence indicates:
a) clearer and more specific relationships
between the main parts of the sentence. For
instance, the word before.
b) tells readers that one thing occurs before
another. A word such as "although" conveys
a more complex relationship than a word
such as "and.