COMPLEX SENTENCE STRUCTURE

NOTES

Topic Main Points

Topic Main Points• Contains one

independent clause connected to one or more dependent clause(s).

• Ex:– Because Helen’s

alarm didn’t go off, she missed her bus.

• Where is the independent clause? • Dependent Clause? • Clues?

Complex Sentence

Topic Main Points• A complete sentence

which contains a subject and a verb and can stand alone

She missed her bus.

• A unit that contains a subject and verb but can’t stand alone because it begins with a connecting word known as a subordinating conjunction

Because Helen’s alarm didn’t go off

New: Dependent Clause

Review: Independent Clause

•What is the base word of dependent?

•How does that connect to the function of the dependent clause?

•There are 2 types of SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

that introduce Dependent Clauses:

Subordinating Conjunction

Sub = below (in rank)Ordinate = main unitConjunction = joining word

•A word that helps show the relationship between information in the dependent clause and information in the independent clause.

• Ex: After I took a short nap, I felt better.

Pass out SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS LIST.

A. A. Subordinating Subordinating Conjunctions Conjunctions that Introduce that Introduce

Adverb Adverb ClausesClauses::

• These subordinating conjunctions These subordinating conjunctions answer the questions answer the questions “why“why”, ”, “when”, “when”, “where”, “where”, ““in what manner”, “under what in what manner”, “under what conditions”conditions”, or , or “to what extent” “to what extent” something happened.something happened.

• When you finish the test, When you finish the test, please read your please read your book.book.

..

• after though • although unless• as until• as if when• as long as whenever• because ? where• before wherever• even though while• if so that ?

• in order that ? than• since

ANSWERS “WHEN”?

•WHERE?

• WHY? ?

•UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?

•TO WHAT EXTENT?

B. Subordinating Conjunctions to Introduce

Adjective Clauses

• Who (Whoever)• Whose• Which• Whom• Where• That• Adjective clauses answer

“Which one?” and “What kind?” about a noun in the sentence.

• Example: The lady who drives our bus is crazy.

• Box the Dependent Clause, circle the subordinating conjunctions, and underline the independent clause. Label S/V in both clauses.

•Which refers to things and animals

•Who, whose, and whom refer to people

•That usually refers to things

COMPLEX CAUTION

• A fragment exists if a dependent clause is not attached to an independent clause.

• Ex: • Because I am going to my

grandparents’ house.• Where I put my binder.• Until I get my grades up.• Since the sun came up.

Be CAREFUL when writing or checking over your sentences so that you don’t mistake a fragment for a complete complex sentence.

• Because she was in a hurry. F / CCXS

• If you go to Starbucks, please bring me back a large coffee. F / CCXS

• Sandra had just finished her homework when the phone rang. F / CCXS

• Although it was getting very late. F/ CCXS

• Whenever there is a full moon. F/ CCXS

Work Complex Sentence Independent Practice, I-IV.

In the following sentences, BOX the DEPENDENT CLAUSE and UNDERLINE the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE. Label subjects and verbs in both clause types.

CIRCLE THE WORD that keeps the dependent clause from being independent. • Whenever Ms. Franny has one of her fits, it reminds me of

Winn Dixie in a thunderstorm. ADV or ADJ?--Kate Di Camillo, Because of Win Dixie

• The boy who sits in front of me talks too much. ADV or ADJ?--

• Catherine had loaded her bag with the leftovers from Sunday dinner when gunfire slapped through the woods. ADV or ADJ?-- --Truman Capote, The Grass Harp

• Because she is holding the microphone so close to her face, each moment of contact sounds like a heavy blow.

ADV or ADJ?-- –Myla Goldberg, The Bee Season

• What do you notice about dependent clauses and complex sentences? Which have introductory dependent clauses, interrupter, and closer? What do you notice about commas?

Complex Sentence Patterns

• Introductory Clause

SinceSince David was terrified (of the dark), he hurried home.

– Notice: A comma comes after an introductory dependent clause.

– Box the dependent clause, circle the subordinating conjunction, and underline subjects and verbs in the

independent clause.

What is the advantage of having a dependent clause connected to an independent clause? (Hint—Take it out and read the sentence without it.)

Introductory Clause Pattern

» independent clauseSC Dependent Clause

(Adverb Clause),

• Interrupter Clause

The sounds that filled the forest scared him.

* Interrupters will often be adjective clauses placed next to the nouns they describe.

Interrupter Clause Pattern

• SC Dependent Clause (Adjective Clause)Subject

verb

• Closer Clause

–He trembled

in fear as the wind

blew.

Notice: Usually, no commas are included if the dependent clause comes at the end of the sentence.

Closer Pattern

• SC Dependent Clause

(Adj. or Adv. Clause)Independent Clause

Combine Short, Choppy

Sentences with

Dependent Clauses

• Instead of the choppy sentences– We were late. We were

expelled.

• Because we were late, we were expelled.

OR• We were expelled because we

were late.

• Notice the comma separates the introductory clause from the main clause but it is not needed if

the dependent clause ends the sentence.

Compare this to a compound sentence:

We were late, and we were expelled.

Which flows more smoothly and indicates a clearer relationship between clauses?

• Combine Choppy Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions:

• We ate breakfast. We left on our trip. (Combine with Adverb Clause)

• Example: Richard plays in a rock band. He is dating Jessica. (Combine with Adjective Clause)

One last note of

CAUTION—Subordinating Conjunctions

vs. Prepositions

• Some SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS look like Prepositions.– Ex: after, before, until, since

• The difference is that a SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION IS followed by a complete sentence; a PREPOSITION is only followed by an object (noun).

• Ex: – Before I left for school, I fed the

dog. (SC-complex sentence)– I fed the dog before school.

(Simple sentence, PP w/object )

• The dog barked because it was lonely.

• When the dog barked, the baby woke up.

• Mother sang a lullaby when the baby woke up.

• Finally, the dog that barked in the night fell asleep.

Identify Dependent ClausesBracket the dependent clauses, circle the subordinating conjunctions, and

underline the independent clauses. LABEL SUBJECTS AND VERBS. Correct the punctuation when necessary.

Note: The subordinate conjunction IS PART OF THE DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

• Since the dog started barking the baby who is usually very sweet has been crying non-stop.

• The dog which was called Rover was barking.

• He will continue to bark until his owner brings him inside for the night.

• The dog lives at the house where the blue Mustang is parked.