Compound complex sentences are sentences that contain two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. These types of sentences can be a bit more challenging to identify and construct compared to simple or compound sentences. However, with some practice and understanding of their structure, you can easily master using compound complex sentences in your writing.
One way to identify a compound complex sentence is to look for multiple subjects and verbs, as well as connecting words such as conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions. These sentences are often used to show relationships between ideas and add complexity to your writing.
Examples of Compound Complex Sentences:
1. After she finished her homework, Sarah went to the park, and she met her friends for a picnic.
In this sentence, “After she finished her homework” is the dependent clause, “Sarah went to the park” and “she met her friends for a picnic” are the independent clauses.
2. Although it was raining, the team still won the game, and they celebrated their victory afterwards.
The dependent clause here is “Although it was raining,” and the independent clauses are “the team still won the game” and “they celebrated their victory afterwards.”
3. I will go to the store to buy groceries, but only if I have enough money left in my wallet.
The independent clauses are “I will go to the store to buy groceries” and “I have enough money left in my wallet,” while the dependent clause is “only if.”
4. While I was studying for my exam, my roommate was watching TV, and my other roommate was cooking dinner.
The dependent clause is “While I was studying for my exam,” and the independent clauses are “my roommate was watching TV” and “my other roommate was cooking dinner.”
5. The cat slept on the windowsill, and when it woke up, it stretched and yawned before jumping off.
In this sentence, “The cat slept on the windowsill” and “when it woke up” are the independent clauses, while “it stretched and yawned before jumping off” is the dependent clause.
Overall, compound complex sentences can add depth and variety to your writing. By practicing with examples like the ones above, you can become more comfortable with identifying and using these types of sentences in your own writing.