This document provides information about complex sentences. It defines a complex sentence as having one independent clause connected to one or more dependent clauses with subordinating conjunctions. Examples are given using common conjunctions like "because", "if", and "unless". The independent clause is underlined in each example. Periodic complex sentences are also explained, where the dependent clause comes first followed by a comma and the independent clause. A quiz is included to test forming complex sentences using different conjunctions.

1. Lunch & Learn
Complex Sentences

2.  What is a sentence?
Question

3.  A sentence is a group of words that tell us
about someone or something.
 It may also ask about someone or
something.
Answer

4.  start with a capital
 end with punctuation (. ? ! )
 have a subject
 have a verb
 form a complete thought
Remember!
A sentence must:

5.  So, what is a complex sentence?
Question

6. Complex sentences are sentences composed
of one independent clause connected to one
or more dependent clauses. The clauses are
connected with subordinating conjunctions.
Complex sentences

7. Some common subordinating conjunctions
after once although though as long as
rather
than
since before in order to as soon as
If whereas when because unless
even if provided
that
while now that supposing
Note: This is not a complete list.

8. Example 1:
I was late. My alarm clock didn’t go
off.
I was late because my alarm clock
didn’t go off.
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

9. Example 2:
You will pass the exam. You study
hard for the exam.
You will pass the exam if you study
hard .
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

10. Example 3:
.You will get fired. You work harder.
You will get fired unless you work
harder.
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

11. Wait one moment!
You may also put the dependent clause
first, but in that case you must include a
comma after the dependent clause.
These are called periodic complex
sentences.

12. Example 1:
Because my alarm clock didn’t go off,
I was late.
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

13. Example 2:
If you study hard, you will pass the
exam.
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

14. Example 3:
Unless you work harder, you will get
fired.
Note: The independent clause is underlined.

15. Ready for a quiz?
Combine the following to form a
complex sentence.

16. 1. Unless
You go to bed early tonight.
You will be very tired tomorrow.
You will be very tired tomorrow unless you go to
bed early tonight.
Unless you go to bed early tonight, you will be
very tired tomorrow.

17. 2. Because
You need to wear a heavy coat.
It’s cold outside.
You need to wear a heavy coat because it’s
cold outside.
Because it’s cold outside, you need to wear a
heavy coat.

18. 3. Until
You cannot play video games.
You clean your room.
You cannot play video games until you clean
your room.
Until you clean your room, you cannot play
video games.

19. 4. Even if
I work hard all night.
I won’t finish my work.
I won’t finish my work even if I work hard all
night.
Even if I work hard all night, I won’t finish my
work.

20. 5. Once
We can start saving more money.
We pay off our debt.
We can start saving more money once we pay
off our debt.
Once we pay off our debt, we can start saving
more money.

21. 6. Provided that
You give your boss notice.
You can take your vacation.
You can take your vacation provided that you
give your boss notice.
Provided that you give your boss notice, you
can take your vacation.

22. 7. Since
I have more work to do.
I have to work late.
I have to work late since I have more work to
do.
Since I have more work to do, I have to work
late.

23. 8. Though
She says she’s not hungry.
She didn’t eat breakfast.
She says she’s not hungry though she didn’t
eat breakfast.
Though she didn’t eat breakfast, she says she’s
not hungry

24. 9. When
I will help you.
I have a moment.
I will help you when I have a moment.
When I have a moment, I will help you.

25. 10. After
I will visit you.
I finish shopping.
I will visit you after I finish shopping.
After I finish shopping, I will visit you.

26. Questions?
Amrita
@ agil@myenglishonline.ca
englishonlinemb10
Blaine
@ broberts@myenglishonline.ca
blaine_myenglishonline
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27. Thank you for attending!
See you next time!
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