Mastering Compound-Complex Sentences

Use the subordinating conjunction "although" and the coordinating conjunction "but" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk, but we took our umbrellas.

• Although it was raining, we decided to go for a walk, and we took our umbrellas.

• It was raining, but we decided to go for a walk, although we took our umbrellas.

Use the subordinating conjunction "because" and the coordinating conjunction "and" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• I stayed up late because I had a lot of homework, and I was tired the next day.

• I stayed up late because I had a lot of homework, but I was tired the next day.

• Because I had a lot of homework, I stayed up late, or I was tired the next day.

Use the subordinating conjunction "since" and the coordinating conjunction "or" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• Since it was a holiday, we could go to the beach, or we could stay home and relax.

• Since it was a holiday, we could go to the beach, and we could stay home and relax.

• It was a holiday, or we could go to the beach, since we could stay home and relax.

Use the subordinating conjunction "while" and the coordinating conjunction "yet" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang, yet I didn't answer it.

• While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang, and I didn't answer it.

• The phone rang, yet I didn't answer it, while I was cooking dinner.

Use the subordinating conjunction "if" and the coordinating conjunction "nor" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• If you study hard, you will pass the exam, nor will you fail.

• If you study hard, you will pass the exam, and you will not fail.

• If you study hard, you will pass the exam, nor will you have to retake it.

Use the subordinating conjunction "after" and the coordinating conjunction "so" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• After the movie ended, we went out for dinner, so we were not hungry later.

• After the movie ended, we went out for dinner, and we were not hungry later.

• We went out for dinner, so we were not hungry later, after the movie ended.

Use the subordinating conjunction "before" and the coordinating conjunction "for" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• Before the sun set, we reached the campsite, for we had started early.

• Before the sun set, we reached the campsite, and we had started early.

• We reached the campsite, for we had started early, before the sun set.

Use the subordinating conjunction "unless" and the coordinating conjunction "nor" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• Unless you apologize, she will not forgive you, nor will she talk to you.

• Unless you apologize, she will not forgive you, and she will not talk to you.

• She will not forgive you, nor will she talk to you, unless you apologize.

Use the subordinating conjunction "as" and the coordinating conjunction "yet" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• As the clock struck midnight, the party continued, yet some guests had left.

• As the clock struck midnight, the party continued, and some guests had left.

• The party continued, yet some guests had left, as the clock struck midnight.

Use the subordinating conjunction "when" and the coordinating conjunction "or" to write a compound-complex sentence.

• When the bell rings, you can leave the classroom, or you can stay for extra help.

• When the bell rings, you can leave the classroom, and you can stay for extra help.

• You can leave the classroom, or you can stay for extra help, when the bell rings.