Compound-Complex Sentence

What is a compound-complex sentence?

There are four main sentence structures in English language. Compound-complex sentence is one of them. It is made of two independent clauses, also called main clause, and one or more dependent clauses, also known as subordinate clauses. In other words, a compound-complex sentence is like a combination of a compound and a complex sentence.

Prerequisites to comprehend this article

For grasping the contents of this article, it’s essential that you have sufficient knowledge of the following grammatical terms:

• Sentences
  • Sentence Structure
• Verb
  • Finite verb
  • Nonfinite verb
• Subject
  • Simple subject
  • Complete subject
  • Compound subject
• Predicate
  • Simple predicate
  • Complete predicate
  • Compound predicate
• Object
  • Direct object
  • Indirect object
  • Object to preposition

• Clauses
  • Dependent clause aka Subordinate clause
    • Adverb clause aka Adverbial clause
    • Adjective clause aka Relative clause
    • Noun clause aka Content clause
  • Independent clause aka Coordinate clause/Main clause/Principal clause

• Linking words aka Connectives
  • Coordinating conjunctions
  • Correlative conjunctions
  • Conjunctive adverbs
  • Subordinating conjunctions
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Comparison
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Concession
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Contrast
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Manner
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Place
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Reason
    • Subordinating conjunctions of Time
  • Relative pronouns
  • Relative adverbs

As a compound-complex sentence is like a combination of a compound sentence and a complex sentence, it must meet the conditions established for both complex sentences and compound sentences. So, it is essential that we understand the basics of forming these two sentence structures first. Then we shall learn how these two types of sentence structures are linked together to form a compound-complex sentence.

The relevant details are given below:

Overview of Complex sentence:

As stated above, to consider a sentence as a compound- complex sentence, it must have at least one complex sentence portion linked to an independent clause, with a subordinate conjunction. Complex sentences convey the specific relation between the clauses and which clause is more important. For example, consider the two simple sentences given below.

• I went out. It was raining.

It may seem that the two simple sentences have no relation with each other. But, in fact, they have connection as can be seen from the complex sentence given below.

• I went out though it was raining.

Obviously, when the two simple sentences are combined to form a complex sentence, the idea has become clear.

The fact is simple sentences alone are not sufficient to express the ideas clearly. Evidently, to express ideas explicitly, complex sentences are necessary. The subordinating conjunctions help them for indicating the relation between the two ideas. Here the independent clause, “It was raining.”, is converted to dependent clause using the subordinating conjunction, “though”. This conjunction shows the relationship between the two clauses. Here the relation is contrast. When the subordinating conjunction is added to the independent clause “it was raining”, it became a dependent clause and cannot stand alone as a sentence. The two originally independent clauses have combined to become a complex sentence now. This complex sentence not only shows the relation between the two clauses, but also clarifies as to which of the original two independent clauses is more important.(i.e. here, the independent clause,” I went out” is more important)

Punctuation rule:  In case the dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, we must put a comma after it. But if the dependent clause is at the end of the sentence, no comma is required.

Example:

• As it was raining, I took an umbrella. (The dependent clause is at the beginning of the sentence, so we must put a comma after it.)
• I went out though it was raining. (the dependent clause is at the end of the sentence, so no comma is required.)

Overview of Compound sentence:

Compound sentences are sentences formed by joining two independent clauses that are closely related and are of equal or similar importance using a suitable coordinating conjunction (i.e. one of the FANBOYS), correlative conjunction, conjunctive adverb, or semicolon.

Example:

My friend wanted to go for the football match. I wanted to go for the cricket match.

These are two independent clauses that are closely related. These can be joined using suitable coordinating conjunction as indicated below:

• My friend wanted to go for the football match, but I wanted to go for the cricket match (coordinating conjunction)
• Just as my friend wanted to go for the football match, so did I want to go for the cricket match (correlative conjunction)
• My friend wanted to go for the football match; however, I wanted to go for the cricket match (conjunctive adverb)
• My friend wanted to go for the football match; I wanted to go for the cricket match (Semicolon)

Punctuation rule:

1. In a compound sentence, you need to put a comma before the coordinating conjunction.

2. When correlative conjunctions join two independent clauses together, a comma is needed before the second conjunction of the pair.

3. When a conjunctive adverb is used to form a compound sentence, a semicolon is put before it and a comma after it.

Forming a compound-complex sentence

A compound-complex sentence is the combined form of complex and compound sentences. To form a compound-complex sentence we join all the clauses with the help of suitable conjunctions. Thus, the complex sentence portion of the sentence will have a subordinate conjunction. The independent clauses must be linked exactly like we do in the case of normal compound sentences. In other words, we join the independent clauses with a suitable coordinating conjunction (i.e. one of the FANBOYS), correlative conjunction, conjugative adverb, or a semicolon. The correct punctuation rules also must be applied to avoid run-on-sentences.

Examples:

• While my brother was going to the supermarket, I requested him to buy some books for me, but he did not have sufficient money in his purse.( This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause, “While my brother was going to the supermarket”, and two independent clauses, “I requested him to buy some books for me”, and ” he did not have sufficient money in his purse” . All these clauses have been linked using suitable conjunctions.)
• My wife was talking to our neighbour; therefore, she did not respond when I called her.

(This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause, “when I called her”, and two independent clauses, ” My wife was talking to our neighbour, “and ” she did not respond”. All these clauses have been linked using a subordinate conjunction,” when” and the conjunctive adverb, “therefore”.)

• Though I was tired, I continued doing the work without taking rest, and finished it before everyone else.

( This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause, ” Though I was tired “, and two independent clauses, ” My wife was talking to our neighbour “, and ” I continued doing the work without taking rest,” and “finished it before everyone else ” . All these clauses have been linked using a subordinate conjunction,” though”, and coordinate conjunction’ “and”)

• When I was in school, a beggar chased me, so I am still scared of beggars.

(This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause,

” When I was in school “, and two independent clauses, “a beggar chased me, “and “I am still scared of beggars.”

All these clauses have been linked using a subordinate conjunction,” when”, and coordinate conjunction “so”)

• I forgot my friend’s birthday, but I did send her a card when I finally remembered it.

(This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause,

” when I finally remembered it” and two independent clauses, I “forgot my friend’s birthday “, and “I did send her a card.”

All these clauses have been linked using a subordinate conjunction,” when”, and coordinate conjunction “but”)

• John’s friend wanted to see the recently released movie with us, but he did not come because he was not able to get a ticket.

(This compound- complex sentence has one dependent clause,

“because he was not able to get a ticket.”

and two independent clauses, ” John’s friend wanted to see the

All these clauses have been linked using a subordinate conjunction,” because”, and coordinate conjunction “but”)

Compound-complex sentences are helpful to a writer for adding details to his or her writing because with the help of these type of sentences, a writer can explain how, why, or when something has happened. It is important to punctuate these sentences correctly to avoid writing run-on-sentences. If we learn to write compound-complex sentences accurately, we shall be able to express complicated ideas with clarity.