Compound-complex sentences in English
Compound-complex sentences in English
Simple sentence
A simple sentence includes one independent or main clause. Furthermore, the meaning of a simple sentence is complete by itself.
These days, computers are used for a variety of purposes.
Compound sentence
A compound sentence consists of two independent or main clauses connected to each other with a coordinating conjunction.
I am into immigration to developed countries; however, there exist a plethora of problems during this journey.
Coordinating conjunctions
To remember all of the coordinating conjunctions in English, you might use this acronym (FANBOYS):
- F: for
- A: and
- N: nor
- B: but
- O: or
- Y: yet
- S: so
Complex sentence
A complex sentence has one dependent and one independent clause linked to each other with a subordinating conjunction.
Despite all difficulties, some people fast during Ramadan.
Subordinating conjunctions
Subordinating conjunctions in English serve a variety of functions, hence there exist many subordinating conjunctions. Keep in mind that any clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction is a dependent clause. The following are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions in English:
- After
- Although
- As
- Because
- Before
- If
- Once
- Since
- So that
- Until
- When
It’s important to note that a dependent clause cannot stand alone semantically. It means that it requires an independent clause to complete its meaning.
Compound-complex sentence
A compound-complex sentence, as its name indicates, should have at least two independent clauses (i.e., compound sentence) and one dependent clause. Please note that an adjective clause is not a major part of any sentence and it can be omitted. Pay attention to the following example of a compound-complex sentence.
Although Robert was a monolingual, he moved to Canada and he tried to learn both English and French because it was essential for him to speak both of the languages.
Reply to this comment and elaborate on a compound-complex sentence with examples.
Jack, who makes a fortune, is always trying to be parsimonious, however his father is so extravagant.
This is not a compound-complex sentence. It’s actually a compound sentence consisting of two independent clauses. A compound-complex sentence, as its name indicates, should have at least two independent clauses (i.e., compound sentence) and one dependent clause. In your example, you’ve used an adjective clause, which is not a dependent clause. Please note that an adjective clause is not a major part of any sentence and it can be omitted. Pay attention to the following example of a compound-complex sentence:
Although Robert was a monolingual, he moved to Canada and he tried to learn both English and French because it was essential for him to speak both of the languages.
Although, it seems easy to make an example of compound-complex sentence, it requires to know both the compound sentence and the complex sentence properly before you want to start writing.
* After “although”, do not use a comma.
* of a compound-complex sentence
* it requires you to know
Please note that this is NOT a compound-complex sentence because your example lacks a compound sentence (i.e., two independent clauses). Please study the instructions in the body of this post more carefully.
Reply to this comment and explain a complex sentence with examples.
Despite all difficulties, some people fast during Ramadan.
In a reply to this comment, define a compound sentence by providing an example.
I am into immigration to developed countries, however there exist a plethora of problems during this journey.
… countries; however, there …
A compound sentence consists of two independent or main clauses that are connected to each other with a coordinating conjunction.
What is a simple sentence. You can define it by giving examples.
I consists of only one clause.
I enjoy learning different languages.
It consists of only one clause.
To be more precise, one independent or main clause.