Understanding Compound-Complex Sentences

The Compound-Complex Sentence

• A compound-complex sentence combines elements of compound and complex sentences and is the most sophisticated type of sentence.
• Understanding how to construct the compound-complex sentence can help take writing to a new level of complexity.

Clauses

• A clause is comprised of at least one subject and one verb.
• There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent clauses.
• An independent clause makes a statement or asks a question that can act as a complete sentence.
• A dependent clause cannot act as a complete sentence because it begins with a subordinating word (e.g., when, because, if, whoever, etc.).

Identifying Compound and Complex Sentences

• A compound sentence is made up of two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so) and a comma or by a semicolon alone.
• A complex sentence combines a dependent clause with an independent clause.
• When the dependent clause is placed before the independent clause, the two clauses are divided by a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is necessary.

Constructing Compound-Complex Sentences

• A compound-complex sentence is comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.
• Compound-complex sentences are normally longer than other sentences, so it is important to punctuate them correctly.
• Correct comma usage is crucial in compound-complex sentences.

Examples

• Compound-complex sentence: Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.
• Compound-complex sentence: Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered.
• Combining independent clauses to form a compound sentence: The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered.
• Adding a dependent clause to create a compound-complex sentence: The team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered because we won the state championship.