READING AND WRITING II COMPLEX SENTENCE EXERCISES

NAME: ________________________________________________________ DATE: _________________

Use the subordinating conjunctions in order to join the 2 clauses to create a complex sentence.

ALTHOUGH SINCE WHILE BECAUSE AFTER BEFORE

1. John went to the movies_____________________he had a lot of work to do.

2. Franklin is preparing for many job interviews _______________________ he wants to get a new one.
3. I usually work out at the gym at six in the morning _______________________I leave for work at eight a.m.
4. Mary and Samantha realized that Joe was waiting at the train station ____________they left on the bus.
5. The girl cried_______________the boy was telling the audience about his love story.
6. ____________________I have no milk, Ill go to the store.

A SIMPLE SENTENCE contains a subject and verb +complement :

Ex. He went to bed. HE: SUBJECT WENT: VERB

Jimmy and Wayne are studying for the Grammar test. Jimmy, Wayne: subjects are studying: verb

A COMPOUND SENTENCE is made of 2 independent clauses, it means 2 complete sentences which can stand
alone. And it is joined by coordinating conjunctions.

Ex. I love my dress and I will buy more of these types. The word and joins the 2 independent clauses, but
they can stand alone having sense by themselves without the help of the word and.

A COMPLEX SENTENCE is made of one dependent and one independent clause, joined by subordinating
conjunctions.

Ex. We all want to succeed in life, eventhough we know it is a hard task to do.

We all want to succeed in life : independent clause

eventhough we know it is a hard task to do: dependent clause

Subordinating

Conjunction

NOW, LETS PRACTICE MORE

Identify complex sentences ( CS) compound sentence,(C) and simple sentence (S) in the following list. Write CS,
C or S.

1. My brother and I went to the concert last Saturday. ________

2. People often tend to judge too fast, and they often hurt other peoples feelings.________
3. I dont want to become an ordinary student, so that Im doing my best to be extraordinary._______
4. Mom or Sharon will bring the dessert.______
5. He was tired, but he didnt take a nap._______
6. I think Im going to the concert or I might go to the beach with you. ______
7. I saw a girl who had the most beautiful blue eyes of the whole world. ______
8. If you want to be a better student, you need to effort more every day. _______
9. I attend Reading and Writing class every Monday and Wednesday. _______
10. I will learn French once I finish my English course._______

PUNCTUATION MATTERS. When punctuating complex sentences you need to know about the comma ( ) rule. ,
When the dependent clause is at the beginning, you will need a comma to separate it from the independent clause.

,
Ex. Since I dont love you anymore I will finish this relationship.

But, When the independent clause is at the beginning, the comma is not needed.

Ex. I will finish this relationship since I dont love you anymore. (no comma needed.)

When a relative pronoun is part of the clause, 2 commas are needed,(appositives)

,
Ex. My mom whose name is Gloria, is a doctor.

Place a comma where needed. If not needed write the symbol next to it.

1. The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night although of course they
could not sleep.

2. After 3 years he still had feelings for me.

3. The woman who is with the manager is the representative of the company.

4. While everyone had their lunch I was still waiting for mine.

5. You are very important for me even if I am not important for you.

6. Wherever you go I will go

7. Though you finish this task I will keep the punishment.

8. People seem to have lost family values since no one respects each other.

9. I wont forgive you unless you change your behavior.

10. The company which I mentioned in the meeting is in bankrupt.