Grammar and Language: Compound-Complex Sentences (Practice)

Compound-Complex Sentences

Background

A compound-complex sentence is the most sophisticated sentence that you can make. It connects 3 or more independent and dependent thoughts using joining words. 

Review: The Compound Sentence
A compound sentence is made up of two independent thoughts connected with a joining word (known as a coordinating conjunction): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, or so, and a comma.

Example: The pirate captain lost her map, but she still found the buried treasure.

                 The Complex Sentence

A complex sentence combines a dependent thought with an independent thought. When the dependent thought is placed before the independent thought, the two thoughts are divided by a comma; otherwise, no punctuation is necessary.

Example: Because the soup was too cold, I warmed it in the microwave.

Constructing Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence is made of at least two independent thought and one or more dependent thought.

The Thoughts

• • Mitchell prefers watching romantic films.
  • He rented the latest spy movie.
  • He enjoyed it very much.

The Joining Words

• • Though / And

The Compound-Complex Sentence:

Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller, and he enjoyed it very much.

Instructions

For the following questions, Kyle will provide you with the compound sentence - two thoughts joined with and, but, or so. You have to add the dependent thought using a joining word. Here is an example:

Add a dependent thought with when or because to the front or end of this sentence:

-->Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card.

Option 1: Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered.

Option 2: Because she was sunbathing at the lake, Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card.

source: evergreen.edu (Evergreen Writing Center)