Complex Sentences & Comma Usage

A complex sentence...

• has two independent clauses.

• has an independent clause that is joined by one or more dependent clauses.

• has a subject and a verb.

• has a comma and conjunction.

Identify the complex sentence.

• Romeo and Juliet are infatuated by one another's good looks.

• Because Juliet reciprocates his affection, Romeo is no longer heartbroken.

• Benvolio provides support, but Tybalt creates conflict.

• The feud between the patriarchs kills their children.

A dependent clause can stand on its own.

• True

• False

When a complex sentence begins with a subordinate conjunction, a ​___is required at the end of the dependent clause.

​

• comma

• period

• semicolon

• colon

Identify the sentence that begins with a dependent clause.

• Lord Capulet is offended when Juliet refuses to marry Paris.

• When Juliet refuses to marry Paris, she offends her father.

• Romeo and Juliet are irrational and naive.

• Friar Lawrence attempts to guide the young lovers.

Identify the two correctly punctuated complex sentences.

• After my mother reviewed my report card, she gave me a kiss.

• My mother gave me a kiss, after she reviewed my report card.

• Although I love my job, I could use a vacation.

• I could use a vacation, even though I love my job.

Identify the independent clause in the following complex sentence:

When Romeo overhears Juliet's soliloquy, he gains the courage to express his intimate feelings.

• he gains the courage to express his intimate feelings.

• When Romeo overhears Juliet's soliloquy,

Which word is not a subordinating conjunctions.

• If

• When

• While

• Summer

Which sentence is an independent clause?

• Leah likes to go to the beach.

• Whenever you finish.

• If you read The Outsiders.

• Before you eat breakfast.

If you will stay, I'll prepare a snack.

• Correctly written and punctuated

• Not correctly punctuated

• Almost correctly punctuated

• None of the above