1. Remember that in English there are four
types of sentences. You already learned
about simple and compound sentences.
Now that you know about dependent and
independent clauses, let’s learn about
complex sentences.
Module 5
Complex Sentences

2. COMPLEX SENTENCES
A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one independent clause
and one (or more) dependent clauses.
Examples:
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
I go to university after I have breakfast.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
We didn’t go to the park because it rained.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
I listen to music while I work.

3.  When the dependent clause begins with an adverb
subordinator (after, as soon as, before, until, when,
whenever, while), the clause can usually be in any
order.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
We ran for shelter as soon as it started to rain.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
As soon as it started to rain, we ran for shelter.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
I listen to music while I work.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
While I work, I listen to music.

4.  If the independent clause is first, don’t use a comma.
 If the dependent clause is first, put a comma after it.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
We ran for shelter as soon as it started to rain.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
As soon as it started to rain, we ran for shelter.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE
I listen to music while I work.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
While I work, I listen to music.
Information taken from: Hogue, A. (2008). First steps in academic
writing. Longman: N.Y.