Complex Sentences: Top 6 Ways to Write + Additional Examples

Complex is just a word, anything is possible when you try!

The same goes for writing any piece of content. To make it meaningful and easy to read, you need to understand the relationship between simple, complex, and all other types of sentences.

Do you know about complex sentences? About their formation and writing ways?

However, it's a debate, does the complex sentences are difficult to understand or is it a readability issue? Not really; these are easy to read, use, and understand as well.

According to a general survey, around 35% of sentences are complex, as writers aim for variety without overwhelming the reader.

Just like the rate of complex sentences in children's readings is higher in third- and fifth-grade texts than in first-grade texts.

In this article you are particularly going to learn about:

• What are complex sentences?
• Identification of a complex sentence
• Different types of complex sentences
• Elements of structuring a complex sentence
• Ways to write a complex sentence
• Examples of a complex sentence

What are complex sentences?

Complex sentences are different than making simple sentences. What do you know about complex sentences? What’s the structure?

A complex sentence is a sentence that has one main clause (also called an independent clause) and at least one dependent clause.

Moreover, do you know about dependent or independent clauses? The dependent clause cannot stand alone and needs the main clause to make sense.

These clauses are usually connected by words like "because," "although," "when," "if," or "that."

Getting my point? Let’s clear it with examples;

Examples of complex sentences:

1. I went to the grocery store because we needed an energy drink. (Main clause: I went to the grocery store) (Dependent clause: because we needed an energy drink)
2. Although it was snowing, we still had our picnic. (Dependent clause: Although it was snowing) (Main clause: we still had our picnic)
3. When the movie ends, we'll go to dinner. (Dependent clause: When the movie ends) (Main clause: we'll go to dinner)

Now, it's clear? Simply, complex sentences help to show relationships between ideas and add variety to your writing just like the compound complex sentence structure does.

How to identify complex sentences

Is there any trick to identify complex sentences? Or are these sentences similar to simple sentences?

Although it can be challenging to understand a conditional statement. Complicated sentences generally follow simple grammatical rules.

If you use the right subordinating conjunction in a complex sentence, the main thing you need to worry about is where to place the commas.

Do you already know where to place commas?

To identify a complex sentence, look for these key features:

• A complex sentence always has at least two parts.
• This is the main idea that can stand alone as a complete sentence.
• This part can't stand alone and starts with words like "because," "although," "when," "if," "that," or "which."
• These words connect the dependent clause to the independent clause. Common ones include "after," "before," "since," "while," "unless," and "until."
• Often, there's a comma between the clauses, especially if the dependent clause comes first.

Now, the point is how to find these sentences? To spot a complex sentence, firstly notice the sentence structure. And then follows below to make sure;

• Find the main verb and subject in a sentence (independent clause).
• Look for extra clauses that can't stand alone.
• Check for connecting words at the start of the dependent clause.

Remember, a complex sentence adds detail to the main idea. It's different from a simple sentence (one independent clause) or a compound sentence (two or more independent clauses).

Types of complex sentences

It seems interesting that complex sentences have further types. Right? Do you know about these types of sentences? Let me share the types of complex sentences along examples;

1. Complex sentences with adverbial clauses

What are adverbial clauses? Relevant to adverbs? Adverbial clauses function as adverbs in the sentence. How does it work in sentences? They modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. It also provides information about time, cause, condition, purpose or contrast.

How do we write these sentences? Adverbial clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as because, since, although, if, when, and while. Just like declarative sentences, simple sentences have a minor difference: they follow an SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) pattern and provide detailed information.

Let’s have an example. First we write an independent clause “She stayed in the hospital” then dependent Clause “because she was not feeling well” to result in a complex sentence like “She stayed in the hospital because she was not feeling well”.

Now, it's clear? Or confused? If there is any confusion then practice it manually to clear it.

2. Complex sentences with adjective clauses

Does this type work with adjectives? Adjective clauses, also known as relative clauses, function as adjectives in the sentence. They describe or provide more information about a noun or pronoun in the independent clause.

How does it begin? Adjective clauses usually begin with relative pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, and that.

Let’s clear it with an example by firstly writing the independent clause “The cup is on the table” then the dependent clause “that you gifted me.” So in result the complex sentence is “The cup that you gifted me is on the table”.

3. Complex sentences with noun clauses

How do noun clauses make the sentence complex? Nouns are the commonly used part of speech, aren't they? Then it’s strange how the simple sound makes the sentence complex.

Noun clauses act as nouns within the sentence. These sentences act as the subject, object or complement of the independent clause.

How do we write noun clauses in complex sentences? Noun clauses often begin with words like that, what, who, whoever, and whether.

Have an example of the independent clause “I don't know” written with the dependent clause “where she wants to go” to make the complex sentence “I don't know where she wants to go”.

Elements of complex sentences

Complex sentences are an important part of the English language that allow us to express intricate ideas and relationships between concepts.

Have you any ideas about which things are important in complex sentences? If not, then don’t know, let's discuss the elements together to know more.

• The most important thing to know is that an independent clause is a complete thought that can stand alone as a simple sentence. It contains a subject and a predicate.
• Dependent clause depends on the independent clause to make sense.
• Words like because, although, since, when, and if that link the dependent clause to the independent clause.
• The words such as who, which, that, and whose that introduce a dependent clause, adding more information about a noun.
• Commas are often used when the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.
• The dependent clause typically provides a reason, condition, contrast, or additional detail to the independent clause.

Now, what’s you think? Do we already know those elements or not? These are essential to enhance the quality of sentences.

Top 6 ways to write a complex sentence

Is there any specific way to write complex sentences? Or can we write it as compound sentences or else? Let’s get to know about the possible ways to write complex sentences.

1. Starting with a dependent clause

When you begin a sentence with a dependent clause, you create a frame for the main idea. Let’s have an example: "Although it was snowing heavily, we decided to go for a walk."

2. Ending with a dependent clause

By placing the dependent clause at the end of the sentence, it emphasizes the main idea first. Look how it works? "We decided to go for a walk even though it was snowing heavily."

3. Using a relative clause to describe a noun

This method adds more information about a specific noun in the sentence. For example: "The book, which had a black cover, turned out to be a rare first edition."

4. Incorporating a noun clause as the subject

By using a noun clause as the subject, you can express a complex idea as the main focus of the sentence. Have a look at an example; "What she said during the meeting surprised everyone in the room."

5. Using an adverbial clause to show cause and effect

This structure clearly shows the relationship between two events or ideas. For example: "Because the traffic was so heavy, we arrived at the airport late."

6. Combining an independent clause and a nonessential dependent clause

This method allows you to add extra information without changing the core meaning of the sentence. For instance: "My sister, who lives in Japan, is visiting next month.

Examples of complex sentences

Complex sentences are made up of an independent clause and a dependent clause, often joined by words like "although" or "because."

For example: "Although late, he decided to go out." Here, "Although late" is the dependent part, and "he decided to go out" is the independent part.

Another example is: "She studied hard because she wanted to pass." In this case, "because she wanted to pass" is the dependent part.

These examples are the best illustrations to understand the idea of sentences and how they differentiate simple complex sentences from complex or compound sentences.

For added ease, there is an online tool called the AI sentence rewriter. It helps rewrite the most complex sentences into clearer and more meaningful words. It allows you to select the style, mode, and language according to your needs.

Conclusion

So, is it difficult to write complex sentences? Not anymore. There are some techniques that are important to learn and understand. Once you do that, you’ll never be stuck again in writing complex sentences.

Writing is a combination of all types of sentences like simple, complex, compound, imperative and others. We can’t skip anyone from them. This enhances the quality of the writing and boosts the readability.

No worries! If we find it hard. The simple solution is to practice, practice and practice! It definitely makes your writing worthwhile and easy to read for others.

Frequently asked questions

What are the different ways to write a complex sentence?

A complex sentence can be created by adding an incomplete thought to a complete thought. It can also be created by taking two simple sentences and making one into a subordinate clause.

Can I start a sentence with a dependent clause?

Yes, and when you do, it’s common to place a comma after the dependent clause.

What’s the difference between a complex and a compound-complex sentence?

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

External resources

• 6 Easy ways to write complex sentences in IELTS Task 2
• Master Complex Sentences in 20 Minutes | Grammar, Common Mistakes + Practice Activity