What is a Complex Sentence in English and How Do We Form It?

How do we form a complex sentence in English?

Forming a complex sentence is not really as “complex” as its name says. You just have to think about the structure. Below is an example:

My mother cried an ocean of tears while watching her favorite soap opera.

Independent clause: My mother cried an ocean of tears
Dependent clause: while watching her favorite soap opera

Notice that the independent clause can stand alone as a single sentence with a subject and a predicate. We can write separately as a complete sentence like this:

“My mother cried an ocean of tears.”
             Subject            predicate

The dependent clause on the other hand starts with the conjunction “while” followed by a meaningless phrase. If we separate it, it leaves us hanging.

                “while watching her favorite soap opera”
                               Conj.                     Phrase

The above clause is meaningless because it leaves us with the question, “Who was watching her favorite soap opera?” It was unclearly stated, but if we join the two clauses together, dependent and independent clauses, we can form a new and meaningful sentence.

Forming Complex Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions

The subordinating conjunctions “after, although, as, because, before, if, since, until, whereas, while” are commonly used in forming a complex sentence in English.

                Examples:

                After the wedding ceremony, my friend and I will go to the club to party.
                Mr. Miller reported to work today, although he was feeling under the weather.
                My father thought I was awake as he saw me moving.
                Because of the flood, the buses were not able to get through.
                You should finish your homework before going to bed.
                He will meet me if he has time.
                She has been so depressed since her mother’s death.
                The application is open until further notice.
                The driver’s feet were wounded, whereas his arms were broken.
                I bumped into an associate while rushing to the elevator.

Forming Complex Sentences with WH-question words + ever.

The words “whatever, whenever, wherever, whichever, whoever, and however” are also used in complex sentences. Here are the examples:

                You can choose whatever style of dress you like.
                Just let me know whenever you are ready.
                Wherever you go, I hope you’ll be fine.
                Whoever told you the information, I’m sure she’s lying.
                The sales results are not good however you look at them.

Forming Complex Sentences with Relative Pronouns

The relative pronouns “that, which, who, whom, and whose” are also used in a complex sentence in English.

                That – is used to define the following clause referring to a person, a thing, an animal, an event, etc.

Example: This is the car that I used to drive.

                Which – is used as a non-defining clause referring to a thing, an animal, an event, etc. This is not used to refer to a person.

Example: The sales lady was able to record the incident which led to solving the crime.

                Who – used to refer to a person doing the action in the sentence or being referred to by the preceding clause.

Example: Dr. Peters is the son of the late Prime Minister Peters who lifted the country’s economic status to stability.

                Whom – used to refer to a person receiving the action in the sentence.

Example: I gave the book to my mother whom I love dearly.

                Whose – refers to possession of a thing

Example: The army awarded Jane whose dedication to military service was commendable.

Forming a complex sentence in English can be challenging because you have to really consider a lot of things to make sure that the structure of your sentences is correct. If you are aware of the basic rules and appropriate connectors to use, it will be easier for you to form a complex sentence in English.

Aside from considering things, you also have to think about the meaning of your sentence. Even if you already know how to create a complex sentence in English, make sure that the meaning is not compromised. No matter how you write complex sentences correctly, as long as the meaning is not clearly conveyed, the sentence still becomes less meaningful.

Construct a complex sentence in English appropriately. Learn the basics. Form it meaningfully. With this, your communication becomes effective.

Why Use Complex Sentences in English?

As a language learner, you must be bombarded with all the aspects of the English grammar you are learning, but you need not worry because these are not hindrances to your language-learning journey. They are helpful tools to improve your language proficiency. Thus, learning the structure of sentences like complex sentences in English is your stepping stone to achieving correct sentence structure, meaningful conversation, and effective communication.

Using complex sentences in English can make you express your ideas clearly, especially in writing. It also makes you more aware and conscious of the proper clause connectors to use making your sentences structured appropriately.