Complex Sentence

We can take a simple sentence (independent clause) and tack on a dependent clause to the front or back end of it.  This creates a COMPLEX SENTENCE.

•  Simple sentence:  I ate an entire gallon of ice cream.

• Dependent clause: Although my parents said not to eat so much

•  Complex sentence:

• Although my parents said not to eat so much, I ate an entire gallon of ice cream.

•  Notice that the clause is separated from the simple sentence by a comma.

•  ONLY complex sentences can start with “Because”.

A complex sentence can be any of the four kinds of sentences.

Rule of Thumb: COMPLEX SENTENCE

This is a clause and a sentence together.  To make one, write a sentence, then add a “Clause Maker” to the front of it; then write a second, separate sentence.  Join the two pieces together with a comma.

I went to Community Day.  It was a lot of fun.  --- two simple sentences

When I went to Community day --- clause

It was a lot of fun.  --- simple sentence

When I went to Community Day, it was a lot of fun. --- complex sentence

I like to play video games.  I have a lot of games.  --- two simple sentences

Since I like to play video games, I have a lot of games.  --- complex sentence