What is a Complex Sentence? Simple Steps to Understand How to Frame a Complex Sentence

Reading and writing are the most important concepts that build the foundation of learning in kids. Explaining the basic nuances of sentence structure, sentence formation, etc., should be explained easily and interestingly. It will enable the students to grasp the concept thoroughly and will develop a better understanding of them. Here, in this blog, we see complex sentences explained most easily to help kids understand the basic rules of sentence formation.

Before understanding what is a complex sentence, let us first understand the sentences, clauses, and conjunctions.

What is a Sentence for Kids?

There’s a difference between a sentence and a clause. A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb. An independent clause forms a complete sentence. A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, does not form a complete thought and depends on an independent clause for meaning.

Sentence Explained for Kids

There are three main types of sentence structure:

#1. Simple sentence

A simple sentence has one independent clause. It has one subject, one verb, and is complete in itself.

Example: Minnie opened the door.

Here, ‘Minnie’ is the subject with the verb being ‘opened’.

#2. Compound sentence

Compound sentences combine two or more independent clauses joined together with conjunction to form a sentence.

Example: Minnie opened the door, and she smiled seeing her mother.

Here the two completed sentences are joined together with a conjunction ‘and.

#3. Conjunctions

The independent clause and the dependent clause in a sentence are joined together with conjunctions.

Complex Sentence Explained

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence. In contrast, a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Let’s understand it with an example: No city can progress unless citizens are educated.

Here, in this sentence, “No city can progress” is a complete sentence in itself and can stand alone. And the part of the sentence, “unless citizens are educated” is a dependent clause, depending on the first sentence for meaning.

Let Us Understand What is a Complex Sentence in Detail

There are two ways to form complex sentences.

#. The first way is to use an independent clause and then a dependent clause.

Example: I made dinner after I came home.

#. The second way is to write a dependent clause first and then put an independent clause.

Example: They order fries whenever they eat at McDonald’s.

So, to create a complex sentence, there are three main requirements.

#. The independent clause

#. The subordinating conjunction

#. The dependent clause

Let us now discuss complex sentence construction in another way. In complex sentences, the dependent clause is an incomplete sentence in itself.

Let us take another example: Now that I have saved up, I can buy a car.

Here the dependent clause, ‘Now that I have saved up’, is incomplete in itself. A complete and independent clause is added to it, ‘I can buy a car’, to complete the sentence meaningfully.

Subordinate Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are used in complex sentences. Subordinate conjunction comes after a complete sentence and before a dependent clause. Subordinate conjunctions are also known as subordinators.

There are dozens of subordinate conjunctions, such as then, rather than, as much as, whether, whereas, after, as soon as, as long as, before, by the time, now that, once, since, until, when, whenever, while, who, whoever, whom, if, only if, unless, and many more.

Note: The subordinate conjunction can be anywhere in the sentence, though it almost always precedes the dependent clause.

For example, I will visit her as soon as she replies.

Here, as soon as is a subordinate conjunction.

A complex sentence uses three types of subordinate clauses:

#1. Adjective clause

Example: The elephant is an animal with tusks.

#2. Noun clause

Example: Whoever added salt in the water will be punished.

#3. Adverb clause

Example: Though we played well, we lost the match.

Why are Complex Sentences Used?

Complex sentences are used to make reading more enjoyable. It is important to use complex sentence structures because it makes our writing more engaging for the reader. Here we have explained complex sentences in the simplest way possible. Easy examples help kids grasp the subject matter better.

Conclusion

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