COMPLEX SENTENCE
Recall that there are two kinds of clauses, the dependent or the subordinate clause and the independent clause. One does not have complete thought while the other has. A sentence that is comprised of these two is called a complex sentence. A complex sentence can be easily confused with a compound sentence however if you know the difference between the clauses and be able to determine how many of them are in the sentence. A complex sentence can either begin with a dependent and end with an independent clause vis a vis. In both cases, different link tools are used.
Take a look at the example provided below:
Example
1. Because she was sick, Maria was not able to attend the class yesterday.
Dependent clause- Because she was sick
Independent clause- Maria was not able to attend the class yesterday.
2. While she was cleaning the yard, Rosa saw an abandoned puppy.
Dependent Clause-While she was cleaning the yard
Independent Clause- Rosa saw an abandoned puppy.
3. As soon as I finish all my assignments, I promise to help you out.
Dependent Clause- As soon as I finish all my assignments,
Independent Clause- I promise to help you
Note that a comma or a semicolon is used when the dependent clause comes first then the independent clause.
Example 2:
1. Maria was not able to attend the class because she was sick.
Independent clause- Maria was not able to attend the class yesterday
Dependent clause- because she was sick
2. I have to finish the article and pass it before the due date.
Independent Clause- I have to finish the article
Dependent Clause- and pass it before the due date
3. She has a lot of responsibility on her shoulder but she believed she can do it.
Independent Clause –She has a lot of responsibility
Dependent Clause- But she believed she can do it
In this case, the word because, and but is used to connect these two clauses. Because, and but are examples of conjunction which primarily function to link words and clauses. A complex system utilizes conjunction to join independent and dependent clauses to achieve a complete thought.
