Focus on Writing: Chapter 16

Writing Complex Sentences

Sentences• A sentence is a group of words that

expresses complete thought.• Every sentence minimally includes: Subject Verb Complete thought

Compound Sentences• A compound sentence includes: Two independent clauses

An independent clause is the same as a simple sentence.

John is enrolled.

Susan studied hard.

John is enrolled, but Susan studied hard.

Complex Sentences• A complex sentence includes: One independent clause

An independent clause is the same as a simple sentence.

One or more dependent clause A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Because the exhibit was controversial.

Many people came to see the paintings.Because the exhibit was controversial, many people came to

see the paintings.

Many people came to see the paintings because the exhibit was

controversial.

Subordinating Conjunctions• Used as a way to form a complex sentence

by joining two independent clauses.• Adding a subordinating conjunction makes

an independent clause dependent.• Frequently used Subordinating Conjunctions

After Even though

Since Whenever

Although If So that Where

As If only Than Whereas

As if In order that That Wherever

As though Now that Though Whether

Because Once Unless While

Before Provided that

Until

Even if Rather than When

Subordinating Conjunctions• To join two independent clauses, use a

subordinating conjunction before one of the clauses.

• If the subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma at the end of the first clause.

• If the conjunction comes at the beginning of the second clause, no additional punctuation is needed.

Many people came to see the paintings because the exhibit was

controversial.

Because the exhibit was controversial, many people came to

see the paintings.

Subordinating Conjunctions• Different subordinating conjunctions express

different relationships.Relationship

Subordinating Conjunctions

Examples

Time After, before, since, until, when, whenever, while

When the whale surfaced, Ahab threw his harpoon.

Reason/cause

As, because Scientists abandoned the project because the government cut funds.

Result/effect In order that, so that So the students’ math scores will improve, many schools have begun special tutoring.

Condition Even if, if, unless The rain forest may disappear unless steps are taken immediately.

Contrast Although, even though, though, whereas

Although Thomas Edison had almost no formal education, he was a successful inventor.

Location Where, wherever Pittsburgh was built where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet.

Relative Pronouns• Another way to create a complex sentence.• Add the relative pronoun to one of the

independent clauses – making it dependent.• The pronoun refers to a word in the other

clause.Relative Pronouns

That Which Whoever Whomever

What Who Whom Whose

Their work is called service-learning

It benefits both the participants and the communities.

Their work, which benefits both the participants and the communities, is called service-learning.