Complex sentences are essential building blocks for sophisticated writing and effective communication. As educators, introducing students to these sentence structures helps them develop more nuanced expression and improve their overall writing quality. This blog post offers ten carefully crafted complex sentence examples for educators.
The complex sentence examples includes:
- The complete complex sentence
- A detailed structural breakdown
- Teaching points highlighting what makes the sentence effective
- Explanation of subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns
What is a Complex Sentence?
A complex sentence contains one independent clause (a complete thought that can stand alone) and at least one dependent clause (an incomplete thought that cannot stand alone). These clauses are typically connected by subordinating conjunctions like “although,” “because,” “since,” “when,” or relative pronouns like “who,” “which,” or “that.”
10 Complex Sentence Examples with Explanations
1. Although it was raining heavily, the children continued to play outside.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “Although it was raining heavily”
- Independent clause: “the children continued to play outside”
- Subordinating conjunction: “Although”
Teaching Point: This sentence demonstrates how a subordinating conjunction at the beginning creates a dependent clause that requires completion. The contrast between the bad weather and the children’s determination adds interest and shows how complex sentences can express relationships between opposing ideas.
2. When the bell finally rang, the students rushed out of the classroom as if their lives depended on it.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “When the bell finally rang”
- Independent clause: “the students rushed out of the classroom”
- Additional dependent element: “as if their lives depended on it”
- Subordinating conjunctions: “When” and “as if”
Teaching Point: This example shows how a complex sentence can include multiple dependent elements. The temporal relationship established by “when” connects the action to a specific moment, while the simile introduced by “as if” adds vivid description.
3. The book that won the prestigious award last year was written by an author who had been rejected by twelve publishers.
Structure Breakdown:
- Independent clause: “The book was written by an author”
- Dependent clause modifying “book“: “that won the prestigious award last year”
- Dependent clause modifying “author”: “who had been rejected by twelve publishers”
- Relative pronouns: “that” and “who”
Teaching Point: This sentence demonstrates how relative clauses can modify both subjects and objects within a sentence, providing additional information about multiple elements. It shows how complex sentences can efficiently pack in multiple related ideas.
4. Because she had studied diligently throughout the semester, Maria felt confident as she walked into the examination hall.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “Because she had studied diligently throughout the semester”
- Independent clause: “Maria felt confident as she walked into the examination hall”
- Subordinating conjunctions: “Because” and “as”
- Subject of independent clause: “Maria”
Teaching Point: This example illustrates cause and effect relationships using a complex sentence. The dependent clause explains why Maria felt confident, showing how complex sentences can establish logical connections between ideas.
5. Whenever I visit my grandmother, who lives in the countryside, I help her tend to her beautiful garden.
Structure Breakdown:
- Main independent clause: “I help her tend to her beautiful garden”
- Dependent time clause: “Whenever I visit my grandmother”
- Non-essential relative clause: “who lives in the countryside”
- Subordinating conjunction: “Whenever”
- Relative pronoun: “who”
Teaching Point: This sentence demonstrates how a non-essential relative clause (set off by commas) can be embedded within a complex sentence structure. It shows how complex sentences allow writers to integrate background information smoothly.
6. Since the new policy was implemented, which surprised many employees, productivity has increased by twenty percent.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “Since the new policy was implemented”
- Independent clause: “productivity has increased by twenty percent”
- Non-essential relative clause: “which surprised many employees”
- Subordinating conjunction: “Since”
- Relative pronoun: “which”
Teaching Point: This example shows how a complex sentence can include an interrupting non-essential clause. The sentence demonstrates how writers can present a main relationship (between policy implementation and productivity) while incorporating a related reaction or consequence.
7. After the storm had passed, leaving considerable damage in its wake, the community came together to rebuild what had been lost.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “After the storm had passed”
- Participial phrase: “leaving considerable damage in its wake”
- Independent clause: “the community came together to rebuild what had been lost”
- Embedded noun clause: “what had been lost”
- Subordinating conjunction: “After”
- Relative pronoun: “what”
Teaching Point: This complex sentence incorporates a participial phrase and a noun clause, showing how complex sentences can combine multiple dependent elements of different types. It demonstrates sophisticated sentence construction that connects sequential events.
8. While many people believe that technology isolates us, research suggests that it can strengthen social connections when used thoughtfully.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “While many people believe that technology isolates us”
- Independent clause: “research suggests that it can strengthen social connections when used thoughtfully”
- Noun clause acting as object: “that technology isolates us”
- Noun clause acting as object: “that it can strengthen social connections”
- Adverbial clause of condition: “when used thoughtfully”
- Subordinating conjunctions: “While” and “when”
Teaching Point: This example demonstrates how complex sentences can present contrasting viewpoints and includes multiple layers of subordination, including noun clauses functioning as objects. It shows how complex sentences can effectively present nuanced arguments.
9. The documentary, which premiered at the film festival last month, tells the story of a family whose lives were transformed by an unexpected discovery.
Structure Breakdown:
- Independent clause core: “The documentary tells the story of a family”
- Non-essential relative clause: “which premiered at the film festival last month”
- Relative clause modifying “family”: “whose lives were transformed by an unexpected discovery”
- Relative pronouns: “which” and “whose”
Teaching Point: This sentence shows how relative clauses with different relative pronouns (“which” for things, “whose” for possession) can provide different types of information. It demonstrates how complex sentences can add layers of detail while maintaining clarity.
10. Until you understand why history matters, which requires both empathy and critical thinking, you cannot fully appreciate its lessons for the present.
Structure Breakdown:
- Dependent clause: “Until you understand why history matters”
- Independent clause: “you cannot fully appreciate its lessons for the present”
- Non-essential relative clause: “which requires both empathy and critical thinking”
- Noun clause as object: “why history matters”
- Subordinating conjunction: “Until”
- Relative pronoun: “which”
Teaching Point: This example incorporates multiple layers of complexity including a noun clause within a dependent clause and a non-essential relative clause. It demonstrates how complex sentences can express abstract ideas and conditional relationships.
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