Type Three: Complex Sentences
Complex sentences need to have one independent clause, or main clause, and at least one dependent clause. A dependent clause is a group of words which has a subject and a verb but is NOT a complete idea and cannot exist alone, for example, “after I finish my homework," "because it was difficult," "if you want to," etc. There are two main options for the structure of a complex sentence:
Option A
| INDEPENDENT CLAUSE | DEPENDENT CLAUSE |
Option B
| DEPENDENT CLAUSE | , | INDEPENDENT CLAUSE |
Note that the independent and dependent clauses can come in either order, but the punctuation is different. The general rule is that if the sentence begins with the dependent clause, the dependent clause should be followed by a comma.
- He is afraid of small spaces because he had a traumatic experience as a child.
- Because he had a traumatic experience as a child, he is afraid of small spaces.
- Some people have difficulty handling the new responsibilities when they start a new job.
- When they start a new job, some people have difficulty handling the new responsibilities.
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