Complex Sentences

1. Definition
- A complex sentence is a combination of two clauses.
+ One clause begins with a connecting word (after, before,
when, until, as soon as…)  dependent clause.
+ The other clause has no connecting word  independent
clause.

Ex: She will buy a new iPhone WHEN she earns enough.
 Complex Sentences
- A complex sentence = one independent clause + at least one
dependent clause
- The dependent clause cannot stand alone.
Although / After / Because / Before / Even though / If / Even if
/ In case / Since / Unless / While 

Ex:
- If you love me, I will give you my all.
- I avoided meeting her because she was so annoying.
 Complex Sentences
2. Commas in Complex Sentences
- When a complex sentence begins with a clause that contains a
connecting word, put a comma at the end of the clause.
- Do not use a comma when the connecting word is in the middle
of the sentence.
✗ After she ate dinner she called her friend.
✓ After she ate dinner, she called her friend.
✗ She called her friend, after she ate dinner.
✓ She called her friend after she ate dinner.
 Complex Sentences
• She stayed home because it was raining.

• Although he was tired, he finished his homework.

• Since the store was closed, we went to a different one.

• If you study hard, you will pass the exam.

• While I was cooking, the phone rang.

• After he did his homework, Nick watched cartoons.

 Complex Sentences
3. Verbs in Complex Sentences

Here is a rule for writing complex sentences about the future:

+ Use the simple present tense in the clause with the time word.
+ Use the simple future tense in the other clause.
+ Do not use the simple future tense in both clauses.

Incorrect: When the rain will stop, I am going to rake the leaves.
Correct: When the rain stops, I am going to rake the leaves.
Incorrect: When Flight 873 will arrive in Paris, the police will arrest a
passenger on the plane.
Correct: When Flight 873 arrives in Paris, the police will arrest a passenger
on the plane
EXERCISES
 I. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate Subordinating
Conjunction: Although/ After/ Because/ Before/ Even though/
Even if/ In case/ Since/ Unless/ While
 I. Fill in the blanks with an appropriate Subordinating
Conjunction: Although/ After/ Because/ Before/ Even though/
Even if/ In case/ When/ Since/ If/ Unless/ While/ Whether
when/ if
whether
unless
If
because

since
Because/
In case
 II. Combine the sentences using after, as, as soon as, before,
since, until, when, whenever, while
1. The committee reached an important decision. The chairman
announced the results to the press. (after)
2. The orchestra was tuning their instruments. The audience began to
fill the concert hall. (as)
3. The last passenger boarded the plane. The doors were immediately
closed. (as soon as)
4. The scientist submitted her proposal. She double-checked every
detail in the data analysis. (before)
5. She graduated from university. She has been working tirelessly to
establish her own startup. (since)
 II. Combine the sentences using after, as, as soon as, before,
since, until, when, whenever, while
6. You must not disclose the confidential report. The legal advisor
grants permission. (until)
7. The lights dimmed in the theater. Everyone grew silent in
anticipation. (when)
8. He visits the countryside. He feels a deep connection to his
ancestors’ traditions. (whenever)
9. The pianist performed a complex sonata. The audience listened in
complete silence. (while)
 II. Combine the sentences using after, as, as soon as, before, since, until, when, whenever, while

1. After the committee reached an important decision, the chairman

announced the results to the press.
2. As the orchestra was tuning their instruments, the audience began
to fill the concert hall.
3. As soon as the last passenger boarded the plane, the doors were
immediately closed.
4. Before the scientist submitted her proposal, she double-checked
every detail in the data analysis.
5. Since she graduated from university, she has been working tirelessly
to establish her own startup.
 II. Combine the sentences using after, as, as soon as, before, since, until, when, whenever, while

6. You must not disclose the confidential report until the legal advisor
grants permission.
7. Everyone grew silent in anticipation when the lights dimmed in the
theater.
8. Whenever he visits the countryside, he feels a deep connection to
his ancestors’ traditions.
9. The pianist performed a complex sonata while the audience listened
in complete silence.
III. Combine the sentences using because/ as/ since
III. Combine the sentences using because/ as/ since
1. He didn’t go to school because he was sick.
2. The streets were empty since everyone was watching the
football final on TV.
3. We couldn’t go on a picnic as it rained heavily all day.
4. She studied very hard because she wanted to pass the
entrance exam.
5. The flight was delayed since there was thick fog at the
airport.
6. He didn’t hear the phone as he was listening to loud
music.
IV. Combine the sentences using although, though,
even though, while, whereas
1. She studied very hard for the test. She didn’t get a good
grade. (although)
2. He was sick. He still went to school. (even though)
3. The movie was boring. Many people stayed until the end.
(though)
4. I enjoy playing football. My brother prefers basketball. (while)
5. Sarah likes reading books. Her best friend enjoys watching
movies. (whereas)
IV. Combine the sentences using although, though,
even though, while, whereas
6. They arrived late. They didn’t miss the beginning of the concert.
(although)
7. It was raining heavily. The children continued playing outside.
(even though)
8. The exercise looked simple. Some students made mistakes.
(though)
9. Our English teacher is very strict. The math teacher is more
relaxed. (whereas)
10.I usually spend my holidays at the beach. My cousin often goes to
the mountains. (while)
IV. Combine the sentences using although, though,
even though, while, whereas
IV. Combine the sentences using although, though,
even though, while, whereas
V. Combine the sentences using if, unless, provided
that, even if
V. Combine the sentences using if, unless, provided
that, even if
VI. Combine the sentences using the given word
VI. Combine the sentences using the given word

7. The manager was giving a presentation. Some employees were

checking their phones. (while)
8. They will go hiking. The weather is good. (unless)
9. We will leave the house. The taxi arrives. (as soon as)
10.She always feels relaxed. She listens to classical music.
(whenever)
11. I’m not sure about it. Will she leave home or stay? (whether...)
12.My sister enjoys outdoor sports. I prefer staying indoors and
reading. (whereas)
VI. Combine the sentences using the given word
1. The student couldn’t take notes during the lecture because he
forgot to bring his notebook.
2. She decided to apply for the scholarship although she wasn’t
sure she would win.
3. We will not start the meeting until all the members arrive.
4. The boy who helped me with my homework yesterday is
standing near the door.
5. I bought a jacket which is waterproof and very comfortable.
6. He spoke slowly so that everybody could understand his
explanation.
VI. Combine the sentences using the given word

7. While the manager was giving a presentation, some employees

were checking their phones.
8. They will go hiking unless the weather is bad.
9. We will leave the house as soon as the taxi arrives.
10. She always feels relaxed whenever she listens to classical music.
11. I’m not sure whether she will leave home or stay.
12. My sister enjoys outdoor sports, whereas I prefer staying indoors
and reading.
VII. Identify each sentence as simple (S), compound (CD), or complex (CX).
1. S
2. CD
3. CX
4. CD
5. CX
6. S
7. CX
8. CD
9. CD
10. CX
11. CX
12. S
13. CX
14. CD
VIII. After identifying each sentence as simple (S), compound (CD),
or complex (CX) in exercise VIII. If the sentence is compound or
complex, add a comma when it is needed.

2. CD Karl saw a movie this weekend, but he thought it was really boring.
3. CX Before Mahmood left class, he spoke to the teacher about his homework.
4. CD Amy expected to take a test today, but she was wrong.
5. CX (no comma needed)
7. CX (no comma needed)
8. CD We can study here, or we can go to the library.
9. CD My brother flew to Amsterdam, and he met our cousins there.
10. CX When Karen wanted information for her report, she went to the library.
11. CX (no comma needed)
13. CX (no comma needed)
14. CD; Ying decided to ask a friend to edit her paper, and she liked her friend's
comments.
IX. Combine the two simple sentences into a complex sentence. Use the connector in
parentheses.
IX. Combine the two simple sentences into a complex sentence. Use the connector in
parentheses.
IX. Combine the two simple sentences into a complex sentence. Use the connector in
parentheses.

Before Jack traveled around the world, he began his English classes.

OR Jack began his English classes before he traveled around the world.
IX. Combine the two simple sentences into a complex sentence. Use the connector in
parentheses.
When my sister and I finished our
homework, we went to a movie.
OR My sister and I went to a movie when
we finished our homework.

After the house caught on fire, the fire department arrived very
quickly…
OR The fire department arrived very quickly after the house
caught on fire…
Before the young woman crossed the street, she looked left and
right.
OR The young woman looked left and right before she crossed
the street.
When the lights in the classroom went out, the teacher told the students not
to worry.
OR The teacher told the students not to worry when the lights in the
classroom went out.
As soon as Jacob had the freedom to study abroad, he moved to California to study
English.
X. Write complex sentences for your answers

1. What are you going to do after you graduate? After I graduate, I am

going to look for a job.

2. What are you going to do as soon as you finish this activity?

3. What are you not going to do before you go to bed tonight?

4. When are you going to do your homework?

5. When are you going to eat dinner?

6. What are you going to do after you eat dinner?

X. Write complex sentences for your answers

1. What are you going to do after you graduate?

 After I graduate, I am going to look for a job.
2. What are you going to do as soon as you finish this activity?
 As soon as I finish this activity, I am going to review my notes.
3. What are you not going to do before you go to bed tonight?
 Before I go to bed tonight, I am not going to use my phone.
4. When are you going to do your homework?
 I am going to do my homework when I get home from school.
5. When are you going to eat dinner?
 I am going to eat dinner when my family gets together.
6. What are you going to do after you eat dinner?
 After I eat dinner, I am going to watch TV with my family.
The end