Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence is exactly what the name implies: it is a combination of a compound sentence and a complex sentence.

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

Rule of Thumb: COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE

This is basically a complex sentence with an extra simple sentence joined to the end.  To make write, write a simple sentence, then add a “Clause Maker” to the front.  Then write a second, separate sentence, joining it to the clause with a comma.  Then write a third simple sentence, joining it to the complex sentence you’ve created with a comma and a conjunction or with a semi-colon. 

Birds are pretty.  I bought one.  I named it Petey.  --- three simple sentences

Because birds are pretty --- clause

Because birds are pretty, I bought one.  --- complex sentence

Because birds are pretty, I bought one; I named it Petey.  --- compound-complex sentence

NOTICE: The clause is joined to the next sentence by a comma, and the two simple sentences are joined together by a semi-colon.

The other method is to write a compound sentence, then add a clause to the front of it.

I like spaghetti.  I don’t like ziti.  --- two simple sentence

I like spaghetti, but I don’t like ziti.  --- compound sentence

You say all pasta tastes the same. --- simple sentence

Although you say all pasta tastes the same --- clause

Although you say all pasta tastes the same, I like spaghetti, but I don’t like ziti.

NOTICE: The clause is joined to the next sentence by a comma, and the two simple sentences are joined together by a comma and a conjunction (“but”).