Sentence Structure Part ThreeCompound Sentences, Complex Sentences, and Compound-Complex Sentences

Section One: Review of Compound Sentences

A simple sentence has a subject, a verb, and it expresses a complete idea or thought. It also has a period! Dont forget the period! You can connect two simple sentences with a comma and a coordinating conjunction such as and, so, but, and or. This produces a compound sentence.

Compound Sentence = an independent clause + a comma + a coordinating conjunction + an independent clause + a period

IndependentClauseCommaCoordinatingConjunctionIndependentClausePeriod

I dont have any money,soIm not going out for dinner on Friday.

Working everyday isnt fun,butI like earning my own money.

*We went to the beach on Saturday,andthe weather was beautiful.

You could study German,ormaybe youd prefer to study Portuguese.

Look at the following pairs of simple sentences. Combine the sentences using coordinating conjunctions to create compound sentences. Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and logic.

1. My ex-girlfriend hates me. She never answers my phone calls.

2. Juan Pablo lived in Shanghai for two years. He speaks basic Mandarin.

3. You can get to Chia by bus. It is cheaper than taking a taxi.

4. Luz and Julio are planning a trip to Santiago, Chile. They might visit us in Bogota instead.

5. Exercising regularly is a good way to reduce stress. I try to go to the gym a few times a week.

All of the following sentences have one error. Identify the error and make corrections.

1. My mother was born in Cali, but moved to Barranquilla when she was very young.2. I have many goals for the future, and Im going to work hard to achieve them3. Clara and Valentina wanted to come to my birthday party, so they had to study for an exam the next day.4. Our history class is at 6:30 in the morning so I usually go to bed early the night before.5. ice cream is delicious, but I dont eat it very often.6. My sister plays tennis, and volleyball.Section Two: Complex Sentences using a Variety of Subordinating Conjunctions

A dependent clause has a subject and a verb, but it doesnt express a complete idea or thought. It must be connected to an independent clause. You probably already know how to connect dependent clauses and independent clauses using the word because, which is one example of a subordinating conjunction. This produces a complex sentence, and it can be written in two different ways. The punctuation rules are different in each style.

Complex Sentence (Option 1)= an independent clause + a subordinating conjunction + a dependent clause + a period

IndependentClauseSubordinating Conjunctionwith a Dependent ClausePeriod

I am extremely busybecause I have a lot of English homework.

Complex Sentence (Option 2) = a subordinating conjunction + a dependent clause + a comma + an independent clause + a period

Subordinating Conjunctionwith a Dependent ClauseCommaIndependentClausePeriod

Because I have a lot of English homework,I am extremely busy.

In addition to because, there are other subordinating conjunctions that you need to learn. Although each subordinating conjunction has a different meaning (and some have two meanings), they all follow the same grammatical patterns. Study the following list of common subordinating conjunctions. You are expected to understand and to be able to use all of them. after although (= though) as as long as as soon as because

before even if even though if provided (that) since

unless until when whenever whereas while

Section Three: Understanding and Using a Variety of Subordinating Conjunctions

In small groups, look up each of these subordinating conjunctions in a learners dictionary. In your notebook, please write the example of a complex sentence that is provided by the dictionary. If you are unsure of the meaning, ask a classmate or your teacher. Next, write your own example of a complex sentence using the subordinating conjunction. Be creative! Finally, rewrite your sentence in the other style, and pay attention to punctuation.

E.g.becauseDictionary Example: You cant go because youre too young.Your Example Style 1: I exercise regularly because it helps me relax and cope with stress. Your Example Style 2:Because it helps me relax and cope with stress, I exercise regularly.

Section Four: Choosing Appropriate Subordinating Conjunctions

Fill in the gaps with a suitable subordinating conjunction. In some cases, more than one option is possible, so write all of the possible answers; in these cases, if the meaning of the sentence changes, what is the difference?

1. ____________________ I was born in Tunja, I grew up in Bogota.2. I would like to go to the beach tomorrow ____________________ it is raining.3. We are going to go to the cafeteria ____________________ our English class finishes.4. ____________________ the teacher entered the classroom, I turned off my mobile phone.5. I studied engineering for one year ____________________ I began studying law at Los Andes.6. ____________________ he takes a taxi, he wont arrive at his appointment on time.7. Camilo should have let you know ____________________ he was coming to the party or going to a movie.8. The exam shouldnt be too difficult ____________________you have attended most classes and studied hard.9. My boyfriend was sad ____________________ I told him that I had decided to study in Canada for six months.10. ____________________ some students have 4.5 hours of English classes per week, other students have none.11. Julia has been depressed ____________________ her iPhone was stolen last weekend.12. ____________________ I was studying Biology, she was studying Chemistry.13. Elkin would like to do a specialization in Argentina ____________________ he can afford it.14. ____________________ I get 80% or higher on the test, I will be happy.

Section Five: Compound-Complex Sentences

Are you ready to take it one step further? You can combine a simple sentence with a complex sentence to create a compound-complex sentence. Look at the examples in the table. Next, add one example sentence in the last row.

Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 1)= an Independent Clause + a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a comma + a coordinating conjunction + an independent clause + a period

Independent ClauseSubordinating Conjunctionwith a Dependent ClauseCommaCoordinating ConjunctionIndependent ClausePeriod

I went to the partyeven though I was tired,andI had a really great time.

He was showeringwhen I called him,buthe called me back later.

They failed the testbecause they didnt study,sothey shouldnt complain.

We will see youif we eat in the cafeteria,orwe can meet after that.

There are many different ways to form compound-complex sentences. We have already looked at one style, and now were going to look at three more. Rewrite the sentences from the first table in the table below. Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 2)= a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a Comma + an Independent Clause + a comma + a Coordinating Conjunction + an Independent Clause + a Period

Subordinating Conjunction with a Dependent ClauseCommaIndependent ClauseCommaCoordinating ConjunctionIndependent ClausePeriod

Look at the examples in the table below. Next, add one more compound-complex sentence in the last row.Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 3)= an Independent Clause + a Comma + a Coordinating Conjunction + an Independent Clause + a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a Period

IndependentClauseCommaCoordinating ConjunctionIndependent ClauseSubordinating Conjunctionwith a Dependent ClausePeriod

I love WOK,and I eat there oftenalthough its expensive.

She wanted to see Paris,butit was impossiblesince she had no money.

Finding a job is hard,souse your connectionsif youve got them.

A Sony Vaio is good,oryou can get a Macif you like Apple products.

Rewrite the sentences above in the table below. Notice the difference in punctuation.Compound-Complex Sentence (Option 4)= an Independent Clause + a Comma + a Coordinating Conjunction + a Subordinating Conjunction + a Dependent Clause + a Comma + an Independent Clause + a Period

IndependentClauseCommaCoordinating ConjunctionSubordinating Conjunctionwith a Dependent ClauseCommaIndependent ClausePeriod