Complex Sentences explanation for Grade 4. Ali Nabulsi

1. COMPLEX SENTENCES
RUN-ON SENTENCES, COMMA SPLICES,
SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS, AND COMPLEX
SENTENCES.

2. What is a run-on?
1-(Run-On Sentence): Joining two sentences into one without any conjunction and punctuation mark.
For Example: Gestures are a means of communication for everyone they are essential for the hearing-impaired. (Here we
see two sentences fused together with no punctuation, and no means to separate the two.)
2-(Comma Splice): Connecting two or more independent clauses by a comma without a coordinating conjunction
(and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
For Example: Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, they are essential for the hearing-impaired.

3. There are several ways to fix a Run-On Sentence or a Comma
Splice:
1-Use a semicolon (+ transitional expression)
Gestures are a means of communication for everyone; (however,) they are essential for the hearing-impaired.
2-Make the clauses into separate sentences.
Gestures are a means of communication for everyone. They are essential for the hearing-impaired.
3-Restructure the whole sentence, adding subordinating conjunctions.
Although gestures are a means of communication for everyone, they are essential for the hearing-impaired.
4-Use a comma+ a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet).
Gestures are a means of communication for everyone, but they are essential for the hearing-impaired.

4. What is a Subordinating Conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction is a word that usually starts a DEPENDENT CLAUSE and answers the questions: Why,
how, where, or when.
Example: because I was busy. (because is answering the question why)
A few subordinating conjunctions are:
• Since
• After
• Before
• Because
• When
• Where

5. Quick Reminder:
A Dependent Clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate but can’t stand alone.
Example: when I first started playing.
An Independent Clause is a group of words that has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone.
Example: I didn’t know how to shoot the ball.

6. COMPLEX SENTENCES
A Complex Sentence is a sentence that is ONE independent clause and ONE or MORE dependent clauses
joined together.
Example:
when I first started playing (dependent clause)
I didn’t know how to shoot the ball. (independent clause)
When I first started playing, I didn’t know how to shoot the ball.

7. Forming a complex sentence:
A complex sentence can be formed in TWO ways.
1-It begins with the dependent clause. Thus, we must add a comma to separate the independent from the
dependent clauses.
For Example:
When I first started playing, I didn’t know how to shoot the ball.
2-It begins with the independent clause. Thus, no comma is needed for separation.
For Example:
I didn’t know how to shoot the ball when I first started playing.