Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences What are complex sentences

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences What are complex sentences?

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. The dominoes toppled when I touched them. main subordinate Because I was alone, no-one knew who had touched them. main subordinate The subordinate clauses add meaning to the main clause.

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences Where are the clauses in these complex sentences? What role does each subordinate clause have? Before the sun rises, pack your gear quietly. adverbial main The blue shirt, which is my favourite, was torn to shreds. adjectival main You’ll be in big trouble when Dad gets home. main adverbial Bananas are expensive now because storms destroyed main adverbial the crops.

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences A compound-complex sentence combines compound and complex sentences: two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. When the movie starts, you get the popcorn and subordinate I’ll turn off the lights. main Dad wanted to munch popcorn while main the movie was playing, but Mum said subordinate that was bad manners. main

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences • A clause has a subject (the person or thing the clause is about) and a predicate (the verb plus any objects and modifiers). • A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. • A compound-complex sentence has two or more main clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

Grammar Toolkit Complex sentences The End