Compound-Complex sentence, as the name suggests is a combination of combination of Compound and Complex sentence. We know that a Compound sentence is formed by joining two independent clauses and a Complex sentence is formed by joining an independent clause with a subordinate clause. A Compound-Complex sentence; therefore must have at least two independent clauses and one or more subordinate clause. We will further clear our concept of Compound-Complex sentences by a suitable example.
First read the Compound Sentence given below-
* I lost my purse but there was no money in it.
The sentence is Compound, as it is combination of two independent clauses- ‘I lost my purse’, ‘there was no money in it’; joined by a coordinating conjunction-‘but’ (Remember FANBOYS)
Now we will form a Complex Sentence-
* I reported the theft because my ID was in the purse.
The above sentence is a Complex Sentence as it has one independent clause-‘I reported the theft’ and one subordinate or dependent clause- ‘because my ID was in the purse’; where ‘because’ is a Subordinating conjunction.
Now consider the sentence given below-
* Because my ID was in the purse, I reported the theft, but there was no money in it.
The above sentence is a complex compound sentence, as it has two independent clauses and one subordinate clause. ‘Because my ID was in the purse’ is the subordinate clause and ‘I reported the theft’, ‘there was no money in it’ are the two independent clauses.
You should be very careful before forming a compound-complex sentence and using coordinating conjunctions, subordinating conjunctions and Relative Pronouns. Forming correct compound-complex sentences is only possible if you are well versed with compound sentences and complex sentences.
We will analyze one more example of compound-complex sentence, to clear our concept-
* Though Oliver likes coffee, he ordered tea, and he enjoyed it very much.
Reading carefully we know that the sentence begins with a subordinate clause- ‘though Oliver likes coffee’ because ‘though’ is a subordinating conjunction. The sentence has two independent clauses- ‘he ordered tea’ and ‘he enjoyed it very much’ where ‘and’ is a coordinating conjunction.
Though we already know that a compound complex sentence is formed by at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent or subordinate clause, we will quickly go through the parts of compound complex sentences once again; so that to make you well versed with formation of compound complex sentence-
1) Independent Clause
Any sentence which can stand out on its own is an independent clause. For Example-
2) Coordinating Conjunction
There are seven coordinating conjunctions used to join independent clauses- for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so; which can be remembered by FANBOYS- F (for) A (and) N (nor) B (but) O (or) Y (yet) S (so).
Some examples sentences using coordinating conjunctions are-
3) Transitional Expression
Transitional Expressions are used to join two independent clauses. For Examples- however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, further, indeed, neither, either, also, as a matter of fact, furthermore, besides, in addition to, in fact, actually, let alone, too, additionally, alternately, on the contrary, not to mention .
Example sentences using transitional expressions are-
4) Dependent/Subordinate Clause
A dependent or subordinating clause is the sentence which cannot stand alone on its own. A subordinate clause needs to be joined by an independent clause to make the sentence meaningful. Below are some examples of subordinate clauses-
The above sentences seem incomplete and needs to be joined by an independent sentence to be meaningful-
5) Subordinating Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions are used to join independent clause and subordinate clause. Following is the list of subordinating conjunction- After, before, so that, although, whenever, even though, though, as, where, if, whereas, unless, until, whether, because, since, while, when, even if, in order that, once, rather, provided that, than, wherever, why. For Ex-
6) Relative Pronouns
Relative Pronouns are used for joining an independent clause with a subordinate clause. Examples of Relative Pronoun are- that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whose, whosever, whomever. Example sentences-
A Complex-Compound sentence is the amalgamation of the above parts. i.e. it is an union of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent/subordinate clause.
There are four steps to successfully form a Compound-Complex Sentence. The steps are explained below-
Step 1: Form An Independent Clause
Think about a subject and form an independent clause; that is a complete sentence with a meaningful conclusion.
The above sentence is very much an independent clause as it stands out having a clear inference.
Step 2: Form Second Independent clause
The second independent clause should be about the same subject and must be deeply connected to the first independent clause. The second clause should continue describing the same subject or his actions. Go through the below sentences-
The above sentence is an Independent clause as it can stand out on its own and it also elaborates the same subject- The dog.
Step 3: Form the Subordinate Clause
The subordinate clause should provide more information to the subject and the independent clauses. I could tell us when it happened (when), why it happened (why), where it happened (where), any alternate incident (while) etc. Now we will go through a subordinate clause, which could be related to the above independent clauses-
Very clearly, the sentence is a subordinate Clause.
Step 4: Join the Clauses
To successfully form Compound – Complex sentences we have to join all the above sentences with the help of conjunctions. Care must be taken that the combined sentences must convey the information which they conveyed individually.
For our ease we will write the sentences below-
Now the first step is to join the two independent clauses with conjunction (FANBOYS), and get a Compound Sentence-
Finally the independent clause is joined to the above compound sentence to make a Compound-complex sentence as given below-
You can found more Compound-complex sentences with as many clauses as you want but be careful about the dependent and independent clauses as well as the use of conjunctions.
Avoid Run On Sentences
A Run On sentence is the one which uses too many commas and lacks connecting words; to make an effective statement. Go through the below statement-
The above statement has three independent clauses but lacks proper punctuation. The over use of comma in a statement is called comma splice.
The above statement must be corrected with proper use of connectors, like in the sentence below-
Remember that it is proper to use semicolon (;) to connect two sentences without any connectors. For Ex-
Finally, that we are well versed with the formation of Compound-Complex sentences, we will go through few more examples before moving on to the exercises-
A careful examination of the above sentences will reveal that the above sentences have at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. Try to frame new compound-Complex sentences, taking guidance from the methods explained above.
MCQ Exercises/Worksheet/Activities on Compound-Complex Sentences with Answers:
Choose the correct answer for the question from the choices given. At last you can refer to the answers provided in the end of the exercise.
1) Is the statement True or False: A Compound-complex Sentence is not the same as Complex-Compound sentence.
2) A Compound-Complex Sentence is formed by joining
3) The role of conjunctions in a Compound-complex sentence is to-
4) What is ‘yet’
5) Transitional Expressions are used to join
6) Therefore, moreover are examples of
7) Subordinating conjunctions are used to join
8) after, even if, while are examples of
9) That, which, whichever are examples of
10) “After he meets you, he will write the letter and inform the authorities”.
What is the Subordinate Clause in the above sentence-
11) “Tom will stay and look after the house while we are out”.
Which following statements are correct with regard to the above sentence-
iii) ‘while we are out’ is a dependent clause
12) __________ he gets here, we have to clean up the mess _______ prepare dinner.
13) He is eating ______ he don’t like the food, as he is non vegetarian.
14) He is coming here; ________ his friends are also coming, ________ we get to know each other.
15) She was calling your name ______ she was calling someone else, because I heard it right.
16) I want to sleep, _______ I have to make the bed after we have dinner.
17) We went on picnic, but were not very happy, ________ it started raining.
18)I don’t like junk food;__________ I take home made food with me, while on tours.
19)________ he is out, you do the work _________ you like it or not.
20) _______ his phone is not working, he cannot talk to you and restless.
21) He doesn’t like parties, ________ he accepted your invitation, _________ he likes you.
22) __________ all the house work, she does all the office work ________ she wants or not.
23) The dog was furious _______ it was barking, ____________ it was securely chained.
24) He knows three languages ________ two extinct languages, ________ she was a language student.
25) He was absent ______ he missed the event, ________ everyone enjoyed.
Answers- 1)b, 2)a, 3)a, 4)b, 5)a, 6)c, 7)c, 8)b, 9)a, 10)c, 11)d, 12)c, 13)a, 14)b, 15)c, 16)a, 17)b, 18)c, 19)a, 20)b, 21)c, 22)a, 23)b, 24)c, 25)a
Form the compound-complex sentences by joining the following sentences, using proper connecting words. Check your progress with the answers provided in the end.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Answers-
1) I was sitting and reading a book, when the dog started barking.
2) Oliver was happy but not looking happy because he doesn’t want to show it.
3) Peter was sick so he couldn’t attend the meeting, even if it is important.
4) Tom was hungry; therefore he ordered a pizza, although he had no money.
5) She was nervous for she badly needed the job, because she was going through a financial crisis.
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