Understanding Complex Sentences

Which of the following best describes an independent clause?

• An child clause that cannot stand alone and needs another clause to make sense.

• An adult clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

• A clause that always starts with a conjunction.

• A clause that is always at the beginning of a sentence.

Which of the following best describes a dependent clause?

• An adult clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence.

• A clause that is always at the end of a sentence.

• A child clause that cannot stand alone and relies on an independent clause.

• A clause that is always in the middle of a sentence.

Identify the correct complex sentence:

• Although it was raining we went for a walk.

• Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

• We went for a walk, although it was raining.

Identify the correct complex sentence:

• Because she was tired she went to bed early.

• She went to bed early because she was tired.

• She went to bed early, because she was tired.

Identify the complex sentence:

• I like pizza and I like pasta.

• I like pizza, but I don't like pasta.

• Because I like pizza, I eat it often.

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

• The dog barked loudly.

• The dog barked loudly, and the cat ran away.

• When the dog barked loudly, the cat ran away.

Identify the correct complex sentence:

• If you finish your homework you can watch TV.

• You can watch TV if you finish your homework.

• You can watch TV, if you finish your homework.

Identify the correct complex sentence:

• After the movie we went to dinner.

• After the movie, we went to dinner.

• We went to dinner, after the movie.

Which of the following is a complex sentence?

• She likes to read and write.

• She likes to read, and she likes to write.

• She likes to read because it is relaxing.

• She likes to read, for it is relaxing.

Identify the correct complex sentence:

• Since it was late we decided to go home.

• We decided to go home since it was late.

• We decided to go home, since it was late.