Complex sentence

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Jump to: navigation, search A complex sentence is a sentence with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause (subordinating clause). The dependent clause is introduced by either a subordinate conjunction such as although, or because or a relative pronoun such as who or which.

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1 Examples 2 Contrast 3 See also 4 External links

[edit] Examples

When I saw what you have done, I was happy. o Independent clause: I was happy. o Dependent clause: When I saw what you have done That you love me makes me happy. o A complex sentence with a sub-clause functioning as a subject. o Independent clause: (subject) makes me happy. o Dependent clause: That you love me (acting as the subject) It makes me happy that you love me. o A clefted complex sentence with a sub-clause indicating what the dummy pronoun "It" refers to. o Independent clause: It makes me happy. o Dependent clause: that you love me The book is where you have put it. o A complex sentence with a sub-clause functioning as subject complement. "Be" is a copula verb; it links the sub-clause to the subject. o Independent clause: The book is (complement). o Dependent clause: where you have put it (acting as the complement)

[edit] Contrast

I ate the meal which you cooked.

I ate the meal is an independent clause and which you cooked is relative clause. A sentence with a relative clause, a clause that has no function but describes its noun phrase, does not fulfill the dependent clause requirement of a complex sentence. A sentence is complex only when it contains a subordinate clause which fulfills a syntactic function within the sentence. In the first example above, the sub-clause When I saw what you had done is adverbial; it has a temporal meaning. The sub-clause what you had done is embedded in the first sub-clause and functions as direct object for the transitive verb "to see".

I was scared, but I didn't run away.

Both clauses are independent. Therefore, this is a compound sentence but not a complex sentence.

The dog [which] you gave me barked at me and bit my hand.

This is a complex-compound sentence with two independent clauses (The dog [which] you gave me barked at me and The dog [which] you gave me bit my hand) and one dependent clause ([which] you gave me)

Simple sentence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search A simple sentence is a sentence structure that contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

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The singer bowed.

This simple sentence has one independent clause which contains one subject, singer, and one predicate, bowed.

The baby cried.

This simple sentence has one independent clause which contains one subject, baby, and one predicate, cried.

The girl ran into her bedroom.

This simple sentence has one independent clause which contains one subject, girl, and one predicate, ran into her bedroom.

In the backyard, the dog barked and howled at the cat.

This simple sentence has one independent clause which contains one subject, dog, and one predicate, barked and howled at the cat. This predicate has two verbs, known as a compound predicate: barked and howled. This compound verb should not be confused with a compound sentence. In the backyard and at the cat are prepositional phrases.

Complex-compound sentence
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search In syntax, a sentence with at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses (which can also be called subordinate clause) is referred to as a complex-compound sentence. Sometimes also called a compound-complex sentence.

[edit] Examples
The cat lived in the backyard, but the dog, who knew he was superior, lived inside the house. Independent clauses:

The cat lived in the backyard. The dog lived inside the house.

Dependent clause:

who knew he was superior

Though the movie had been tested on the market, The Last Shadow did not fare well in the United States, but it did develop a huge following in Europe, which usually does not go for this movie genre. Independent clauses:

The Last Shadow did not fare well in the United States. It did develop a huge following in Europe.

Dependent clauses:

though the movie had been tested on the market which usually does not go for this movie genre

Gene thought that Finny wanted venerability, but Finny, who did not care, thought that he was just being a friend. Independent clauses:

Gene thought that Finny wanted venerability. Finny thought that he was just being a friend.

Dependent clause:

who did not care

Independent clause
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search An independent clause (or main clause, matrix clause) is a clause that can stand by itself as a grammatically viable simple sentence. Independent clauses express a complete thought and contain a subject and a predicate. Multiple independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon or a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

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1 Examples 2 See also 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Examples

I love dogs. simple sentence I drive a bus. simple sentence I am a bus driver, and my wife is a lawyer. (compound sentence made up of two independent clauses: I am a bus driver and my wife is a lawyer) I want to be an astronaut, but I need to receive my Astronaut Badge. (compound sentence made up of two independent clauses: I want to be an astronaut and I need to receive my Astronaut Badge) Go to the store, and get me a carton of milk. (compound sentence) (Though a subject is not visible, in English the subject of an imperative is considered to be the pronoun 'you