In the final blog post of our series on sentence structures, we are looking at complex sentences. We will look at what complex sentences are, what are the rules of punctuation and what is the role of the subordinator in the sentence.
We know from the previous posts on sentence structure that a clause is a is a group of words that contain at least on subject and one verb;
Anna left the party early
because she was tired.
There are two types of clauses in English: independent and dependent (subordinating clause). An independent clause can be a sentence by itself.
Independent clause is another name for a simple sentence.
Anna left the party early
(You) hold the cat's mouth closed
(When you use the imperative, we do not use the subject 'you' as is it understood what the subject is already)
A dependent clause, subordinating clause, in contrast, cannot be a sentence by itself because its meaning is not complete. A dependent clause 'depends' on something else to complete its meaning.
... because she was tired.
... while I count to ten.
A complex sentence is a combination of one independent clause and one (or more) dependent clause(s) (subordinating clause).
Complex Sentences verses Compound Sentences
In a compound sentence, the co-ordinating conjunction must be in the middle of the two independent clauses (simple sentences).
We went to the shop, but he didn't buy anything.
In a complex sentence, the subordinator can appear at the start of the sentence of in the middle of the sentence.
The dependent clause always begins with the subordinator.
He goes to school after he finishes work.
After he finishes work, he goes to school.
Comma Rule
In a complex sentence, the the dependent clause comes first, separate the clauses with a comma. When the independent clause comes first, the subordinator separates the clause for you - you do not use a comma.
Subordinators
Time Subordinators
after
He goes to school after he finishes work.
After he finishes work, he goes to school.
as*
Several overcrowded buses passed as we were waiting.
As we were waiting, several overcrowded buses passed.
as soon as
She felt better as soon as she took the medicine.
As soon as she took the medicine, she felt better.
before
Before you apply to college, you have to take an entrance exam.
You have to take an entrance exam before you apply to college.
since
It's been a year since I left home.
Since I left home, it's been a year.
until
We can't leave the room until everyone has finished the test.
Until everyone has finished the test, we can't leave the room.
when
When you start college, you sometimes have to take a placement test.
You sometimes have to take a placement test when you start college.
whenever
Whenever I don't sleep well, I feel sick the next day.
I feel sick the next day, whenever I don't sleep well.
while
Several overcrowded buses passed while they were waiting.
While they were waiting, several overcrowded buses passed.
Reason Subordinators
because
Jack excels at sport because he trains hard.
Because he trains hard, Jack excels at sport.
since
Since she works out daily, Jill is in great condition.
Jill is in great condition since she works out daily. (It would be better to use because in this example of the subordinator in the middle of the sentence. The meaning would be much clearer.)
as*
As they want to compete in a marathon, they run everyday.
They run everyday as they want to compete in a marathon. (It would be better to use because in this example of the subordinator in the middle of the sentence. The meaning would be much clearer.)
So (that)
So (that) people could travel faster across the country, the Shinkansen was introduced to Japan.
The Shinkansen was introduced to Japan so (that) people could travel faster across the country.
Place Subordinators
where
I can never remember where I put my house keys.
Where I put my house keys, I can never remember.
wherever
A baby animal follows its mother wherever she goes.
Wherever she (the mother) goes, a baby animal follows its mother (her).
*Notice that as can be either a time subordinator or a reason subordinator.
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