In English, there are four different kinds of sentences. In previous units, you learned about simple and compound sentences. The third type is called the complex sentence.
What is a Complex Sentence?
Complex sentences contain one independent clause and one or more dependent clause.
A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that doesn't make complete sense on its own. It is an incomplete idea.
Dependent clauses need to go with an independent clause in order to be complete.
Dependent clauses begin with words like:
- When
- While
- Before
- As soon as
- After
- As
- Until
- Since
- Because
- Although
- Even though
- Though
- If
- Once
Look at the following sentences. These are examples of independent clauses, also called simple sentences:
- I love flying.
- There were no grass parking areas at this airport.
- The alpha, bravo and tango taxiways are free to use.
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