Sometimes, sentences are too complex and difficult to understand, Right? Do you also experience the complexity of sentences? And have you ever thought about what makes a sentence complex?
According to William Zinsser: "The key to good writing is to use varied sentence structures. A mix of simple, compound and complex sentences keeps the reader engaged and the writing lively."
The structure of the sentence is the blend of two or more than two types of sentence. Good writing requires the basic understanding of the usage of sentence structures to make high quality content that Google prefers to show others.
In this article we’ll discuss specifically compound-complex sentences to improve writing skills and to know more about them, including:
- What are compound-complex sentences?
- Main elements of compound-complex sentences
- Simple steps to construct compound-complex sentences
- Pro tips and tricks to use these sentences
- Addition examples with details
What are compound-complex sentences?
A compound-complex sentence is a type of sentence that combines elements of both compound and complex sentences. A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses joined by using a comma, semicolon or conjunction.
In the English Language, the grammar and the rules of sentence structure are predefined. It's a little bit complex while implementation in the writing but necessary to understand its usage and importance.
The blend of complex and compound sentences makes compound-complex sentences. Such as:
- Mixture of two or more independent clauses
- Complete sentences that stand alone
- Blend of one or more dependent clauses
This structure allows writers to convey multiple related thoughts in a single,compatible sentence that enhance the depth and clarity of their writing.
In constructing a compound-complex sentence, you need to combine clauses using coordinating conjunctions like for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so and subordinating conjunctions as because, although, since, unless, etc.
If you get stuck, while joining the complex and compound sentences with adjusting clauses, an AI tool sentence rewriter helps you freely. It rewrites sentences for you by adjusting clauses at suitable places.
Sentence rewriter is a simple solution for this type of complexity and makes your content more readable. It acts as your working assistant so feel free and secure while using it.
4 main elements of compound-complex sentences
The formation of compound-complex is hard and a bit tricky to learn and apply in the sentences. Sometimes it creates ambiguity by using synonyms in a sentence.
At beginner level, we need to understand how to use and with whom the clauses used to make a clear and sensible sentence.
The following are some main elements of compound-complex sentences.
1. Independent clauses
These are the complete sentences that stand alone. They express a complete thought and have a subject and a verb.
2. Dependent clauses
These clauses do not stand alone as they don’t express a complete thought. Some subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, since, if, when).
3. Coordinating conjunctions
The words that join independent clauses (e.g., for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are said to be coordinating conjunctions.
4. Subordinating conjunctions
The words that introduce dependent clauses (e.g., because, although, since, unless, while) are subordinating conjunctions.
3 simple steps to construct compound-complex sentences
Let’s discuss some steps that help to construct compound-complex sentences.
1. Identify independent clauses
Firstly, start by writing two independent clauses.
2. Add a dependent clause
Now, use a dependent clause to add more detail or context to one of the independent clauses.
3. Use appropriate conjunctions
Lastly, join the clauses using coordinating and subordinating conjunctions like and, for, because, while, not, unless, yet and so etc.
By following these steps, you will easily make contextual and clear compound-complex sentences without any confusion.
Tips and tricks of using compound-complex sentences
Compound-complex sentences are used to:
- Show the relationship between different ideas and provide information by using declarative sentences.
Example: The sun was setting, and the sky turned orange because the park was quiet. - Provide more detail and depth to writing by combining multiple ideas into a single sentence.
- Improves the flow of writing and is also used to give commands, instructions by implementing the structure of imperative sentences.
We combine commands or requests with dependent clauses to add more context or detail.
Example: Finish your dinner, and come to me before the rain starts. - Compound-complex sentences are the best way to show emotions and thoughts by adding facts into it.
Let’s just write an exclamatory sentence to show its relationship with compound-complex sentences. Example: What a victory it was, and we celebrated all night, although we were exhausted! - Try to avoid ambiguity and confusion in the clauses to make it original and captivating for the reader.
- You have to be clear throughout the sentence structure.
- Don’t use difficult vocabulary and clauses in sentences, it will affect its readability.
- Be sure while marking punctuation in the compound-complex sentences to enhance its credibility and authenticity.
5+ examples of compound-complex sentence
Here we're gonna discuss some useful examples by joining the independent and independent clauses with various types of sentences to enhance your clearance and understanding.
Example 1
- Independent clause 1: The students finished their homework.
- Independent clause 2: They watched a series.
- Dependent clause: Because they had time.
- Compound-complex sentence: The students finished their homework, and they watched a series because they had time.
Example 2
- Independent clause 1: The teacher explained the lesson.
- Independent clause 2: the students took notes.
- Dependent clause: While they listened carefully.
- Compound-complex sentence: The teacher explained the lesson, and the students took notes while they listened carefully.
Example 3
- Independent clause 1: She loves exercising.
- Independent clause 2: She rarely has time to exercise.
- Dependent clause: Because her job is demanding.
- Compound-complex sentence: She loves exercising, but she rarely has time to exercise because her job is demanding.
Example 4
- Independent clause 1: She finished her homework early.
- Independent clause 2: She went out to picnic.
- Dependent clause: Because she wanted to enjoy her weekend.
- Compound-complex sentence: She finished her homework early, and she went out to picnic because she wanted to enjoy her weekend.
Example 5
- Independent clause 1: They decided to travel to Sydney.
- Independent clause 2: They were excited about the trip.
- Dependent clause: Since they had never been there before.
- Compound-complex sentence: They decided to travel to Sydney and they were excited about the trip since they had never been there before.
Example 6
- Independent clause 1: He arrived at the party.
- Independent clause 2: He realized he forgot to bring the gift.
- Dependent clause: Because he was in a rush earlier.
- Compound-complex sentence: He arrived at the party, but he realized he forgot to bring the gift because he was in a rush earlier.
Example 7
- Independent clause 1: The restaurant was busy.
- Independent clause 2: We managed to get a table.
- Dependent clause: Because we had made a reservation.
- Compound-complex sentence: The restaurant was busy, but we managed to get a table because we had made a reservation.
Final words
The process of making compound-complex sentences is a bit complex but an interesting task to join suitable clauses.
First of all, understand all the rules and regulations relevant to the sentence structure and then practice hard to improve the concepts. As is well known, practice makes the man perfect. So, do practice to emerge clauses to make sensible and contextual sentences.
Frequently asked questions
Do compound-complex sentences be used in formal and informal writing?
Yes, compound-complex sentences used in both formal and informal writing. They help convey detailed and useful information effectively in any context.
How does a compound-complex sentence differ from a compound sentence?
A compound sentence has only independent clauses; a compound-complex sentence includes both independent and dependent clauses.
What are subordinating conjunctions?
The words like "although," "because," "since," and "while" that connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.