“When we look to the individuals of the same variety or sub-variety of our older cultivated plants and animals, one of the first points which strikes us, is, that they generally differ much more from each other, than do the individuals of any one species or variety in a state of nature. When we reflect on the vast diversity of the plants and animals which have been cultivated, and which have varied during all ages under the most different climates and treatment, I think we are driven to conclude that this greater variability is simply due to our domestic productions having been raised under conditions of life not so uniform as, and somewhat different from, those to which the parent-species have been exposed under nature.” (Darwin, 2003)
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (1 + 1≥). An independent clause provides the main idea of a sentence, while a dependent clause serves to complement and/or modify the independent one. Dependent clauses are subordinate to the independent and cannot be used separately not to create fragments (incomplete statements). Based on the nature of the connecting word, there are three types of dependent clauses: adverbial, adjective, and noun.
Dependent Clauses that Make a Complex Sentence
An Adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb – defines a verb – in a sentence. It answers adverb questions: How? When? or Why? An adverbial clause contains (1) a subject (explicit or implied) and (2) a verb and (3) begins with a subordinating conjunction that keeps the clause from expressing a complete thought.
e.g. Even though camping is exhausting, I like spending my vacations outdoors.
An Adjective clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective – defines a subject or an object – in a sentence. It answers questions: What kind? How many? or Which one? An adjective clause contains (1) a subject (explicit or implied) and (2) a verb. It is introduced with (1) a relative pronoun – who, which, that – or (2) a relative adverb – when, where, why.
e.g. Students like teachers who explain material clearly.
A Noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun – a subject, object, or complement – in a sentence. It answers the question of a noun – What? A noun clause contains (1) a subject and (2) a verb. It is introduced with subordinating conjunctions how, what, or that.
e.g. My biggest problem is that I don’t have enough time.
Writing Tips
- Writing only short, simple sentences is boring and strange to read. Use a variety of complex sentences to make your writing descriptive.
- In a complex sentence, connecting words used between clauses of unequal importance don’t divide the sentence into independent clauses. Rather than conjunctions, connecting words are used to join subordinate clauses that complement and modify the main clause.
- Commas do not join but separate ideas, phrases, or clauses. Use conjunctions and connecting words to link clauses and create cohesion in writing.
- How many dependent clauses can you use in one sentence? – You can write as many dependent clauses as you would like! A variety of dependent clauses makes your writing more interesting because dependent clauses are used to show relations between ideas.
- Is it a good idea to write lots of complex-compound sentences? – I wouldn’t recommend writing complex-compound sentences in order to impress your readers. If complex-compound sentences are made artificially, it is difficult for a reader to follow your main idea and not get caught in less important information.