Complex Sentence. Complex Sentence in English

In the Complex Sentence we have at least two clauses: an independent clause, which means that it can stand alone as a sentence and it has a complete thought, and one dependent clause, that can't stand alone, which means that it hasn't a complete thought, even though it has a subject and the verb. / In a complex sentence, we have at least two sentences: an independent sentence, which means that it can stand alone as a sentence and has a complete reasoning, and a dependent sentence, which cannot stand on its own, which means that it has no full meaning, even if it has a subject and a verb.

Let's take a look in some examples of a complex sentence, notice that the independent clause is colored. / Let's take a look at some examples of complex clauses, note that the independent sentence is colored.

  • If you want to see me,then come to my home.
    If you want to see me then come to my house.

  • Because my food was too cold, I didn't eat it.
    Because my food was too cold, I didn't eat it.

  • Though she was very poor, she was still very happy.
    Even though she was very poor, she was still very happy.

  • She returned the dishwasher after she noticed it was damaged.
    She returned the dishwasher when she saw that it was spoiled.

  • When my mum arrived, I crossed the street and gave her a kiss.
    When my mom arrived, I crossed the street and gave her a kiss.

  • As he was bright and talented,he became starting player in the team.
    As he is brilliant and talented, he became a starting player right away.

  • whatever you do,my love will never change.
    Whatever you do, my love will never change.

  • Although, the moviewas too long, was still greatfull.
    Even though the movie was long, it was still wonderful.

    Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)

  • There is nothing better thanthe alive hope that made us much strong everyday.
    There is nothing better than the living hope that makes us stronger every day.

  • The teacher was very happy his students got great grades in tests, although some wasn't.
    The teacher was very happy that his students got great marks on the tests, although some didn't.

  • the play was very gracefulas I imagined.
    The piece was graceful as I imagined.

  • When we were younger,we believed in all fairy tales which our grandparents told us.
    When we were younger, we believed all the fairy tales told by our grandparents.

  • After the car crashed,there was blood in the asphalt.
    After the car crashed, there was blood on the asphalt.

  • I have to wait for you here,because I don't have time to walk now.
    I have to wait for you here because I don't have time to walk right now.

  • Let's have a dinner to the restaurant where we met for the first time.
    Let's have dinner at the restaurant where we first met.

  • Although my friend invited me,I chose not to go to the party.
    Although my friend invited me, I chose not to go to the party.

  • I really liked the film, although the actors were very bad.
    I really liked the movie, although the actors were pretty bad.

  • everybody laughedwhen he got a funny hat in his head.
    Everyone laughed when he put a funny hat on his head.

  • After thirty years,he and she still had feelings for each other.
    After thirty years, he and she still had feelings for each other.

  • my friends tell me that,friendship can builds a house of happiness.
    My friends told me that friendship can build a house of happiness.


By Janaína Mourão
Graduated in Letters - English

Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:

MOURãO, Janaína Pereira. "Complex Sentence"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/ingles/complex-sentence.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.

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