Complex Sentences

A complex sentence is comprised of:

• two independent clauses

• one independent clause alone

• an independent clause and a dependent clause

• two dependent clauses

Does this sentence need a comma?

Whenever you feel hungry we can stop for lunch.

• no comma

• comma after hungry

• comma after stop

• comma after feel

because she studied diligently

• This is an independent clause.
• This is a dependent clause.

Does this sentence need a comma?
Clowns juggled while the audience waited for the show to start.

• no comma
• comma after juggled

• comma after audience

• comma after waited

What is correct? There may be one or more answers.

• The students had to complete many projects at the end of the semester, as a result they had very little time to study for their final exams.

• The students had to complete many projects at the end of the semester; as a result, they had very little time to study for their final exams.

• The students had to complete many projects at the end of the semester as a result they had very little time to study for their final exams.

• The students had to complete many projects at the end of the semester. As a result, they had very little time to study for their final exams.

What is correct? There is only one correct answer.

• The graduate student had complex theories about the topic; however, applying those theories to real-world problems was another story.

• The graduate student had complex theories about the topic; but, applying those theories to real-world problems was another story.

• The graduate student had complex theories about the topic but applying those theories to real-world problems was another story.

• The graduate student had complex theories about the topic however applying those theories to real-world problems was another story.

What is the best way to write the sentence?

Although we have two campuses Bayside Middle School is considered one school.

• Although we have two campuses, Bayside Middle School is considered one school.

• Although we have two campuses Bayside Middle School, is considered one school.

• Although, we have two campuses, Bayside Middle School is considered one school.

• As it is.

What is the best way to combine the sentences below?

Michael and his brother are best friends. They do not always get along.

• Even though they do not always get along Michael and his brother are best friends.

• Michael and his brother are best friends even though they do not always get along.

• Michael and his brother are best friends, even though they do not always get along.

• Even though, they do not always get along, Michael and his brother are best friends.

Choose the best way to write the sentence below.

Sara and Maddie are going to the show on Friday so they will need to purchase tickets by Thursday evening.

• Sara and Maddie are going to the show on Friday so, they will need to purchase tickets by Thursday evening.

• Sara and Maddie are going to the show on Friday, so they will need to purchase tickets by Thursday evening.

• Sara and Maddie are going to the show on Friday so they, will need to purchase tickets by Thursday evening.

• As it is.

What is the best way to revise the sentence below?

Since Kirby and his brother are new to the school we need to introduce them to their classmates and welcome them into our school family.

• Kirby and his brother are new to the school so we need to introduce them to their classmates and welcome them into our school family.

• Since Kirby and his brother are new to the school, we need to introduce them to their classmates, and welcome them into our school family.

• Kirby and his brother are new to the school and, we need to introduce them to their classmates and welcome them into our school family.

• Since Kirby and his brother are new to the school, we need to introduce them to their classmates and welcome them into our school family.