A Complex Sentence

A Complex Sentence

Consists of a combination of an independent clause and a dependent clause.

a. An independent clause
    An independent clause has a subject, verb, and
    a complete thought. It is a sentence.

    Example: He met him at the park.

b. A dependent clause
    A dependent clause has a subject and a verb. However,
    it has NO complete thought. It needs an independent
    clause. Therefore, it is dependent on the independent clause.

    Example: After Tyler called his friend . . .

    Subject = Tyler Verb = Called

    When the mailman arrived, the dog barked.
                Dependent clause          Independent Clause

    When the dog barked, the cat ran away.
             Dependent clause    Independent Clause

1. An example with a relative clause as the dependent clause:

    The dog that was in the street howled loudly.
    A student who is hungry would never pass up a hamburger.

2. An example with a subordinating conjunction creating
    the dependent clause (note the various positions
    of the dependent clause).
    Subordinate Conjunctions
    Subordinate conjunctions connect a dependent clause
    with an independent clause.

    Here are some examples:

    After although because before if once unless
    Until whenever while as so when wherever Since whether

    The mailman wouldn’t deliver our mail after my dog
    bit him in the leg.


    Dependent clause: The mailman wouldn’t deliver our mail
    Independent Clause: my dog bit him in the leg.
    Subordinate conjunctions: after