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Compound - Complex Sentences

This document defines and provides examples of compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. It explains that compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses, complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, and compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. The document also discusses punctuation rules for separating clauses in compound and compound-complex sentences.

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483 views2 pages

Compound - Complex Sentences

This document defines and provides examples of compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. It explains that compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses, complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, and compound-complex sentences contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. The document also discusses punctuation rules for separating clauses in compound and compound-complex sentences.

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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Compound-Complex Sentences

Definition
 Compound sentence is a sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses.
Example : She did the work well, and she was paid well.
 Complex sentence is a sentence that consists of one independent clause and one or more
dependent clauses. Example : Because she did the work well, she was paid well.
 Compound-complex sentence is a sentence that consists of two or more independent
clauses and one or more dependent clauses. Example : Because she did the work well, she
was paid well, and she was satisfied.
(Brandon & Brandon)

Structure of Compound-Complex Sentence


2 or more independent clauses + 1 or more dependent clauses
Or in other words
2 or more main ideas + 1 or more supporting ideas

1. Albert enlisted in the Army, and Robert, who was his older brother, joined him a day after.
Independent Clauses Dependent Clauses
 Albert enlisted in the army.  Who was his older brother
 Robert joined him a day later.

2. Because Mr. Yamamoto was a talented teacher, he was voted teacher of the year, and his
students prospered.
Independent Clauses Dependent Clauses
 Mr. Yamamoto was voted teacher of the  Because Mr. Yamamoto was a talented
year. teacher.
 His students prospered

Punctuation
1. Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to separate two
independent clauses.
The pirate captain lost her treasure map, but she still found the buried treasure.
2. Use a semicolon between two independent clauses in one sentence if there is no
coordinating conjunction.
The bus arrived; we quickly boarded.

3. Punctuation with Subordinating conjunctions :


a) If the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, set it off with a comma
Before Mike Wrote his final draft, he looked over his outline.
b) If the dependent clause comes after or within the independent clause, set it off with a
comma only if the dependent clause begins with the word(s) although, though, or even
though.
We went home after the concert had ended. (No Comma)
Vincent continued painting, although he had repaired the cabinet twice.

4. Punctuation with relative pronouns (that, which, who) : Set off the dependent clause with
commas when it is not necessary to the sentence. Do not set off the clause if it is necessary
for the meaning of the sentence.
Everyone who tries will pass this class. [The dependent clause is necessary]
Juan, who tries, will pass the class. [The dependent clause is not necessary]

5. If a compound or compound-complex sentence has one or more commas in the first clause,
you may want to use a semicolon before the coordinating conjunction between the two
clauses. Its purpose is to show the reader very clearly the division between the two
independent clauses.
Because the Fourth of July fi reworks were especially loud, my dog ran away; but when the
animal control offi cer made his morning rounds, he found my dog in another part of town.

(Brandon & Brandon)

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