Complex Sentences: Main and Subordinate Clauses
Independent
Clause
• Has a subject and a predicate and can stand
alone as its own sentence.
• Ex. Elaine likes trails
Subordinate
Clause
• Is a group of words that has a subject &
predicate, but does not express a complete
thought (can’t be its own sentence).
• Ex. where she can see flowers.
Complex
Sentence
p. 1
• A sentence that has one dependent clause and
one or more subordinate clauses.
• Ex. Elaine likes trails where she can see flowers.
In a complex sentence, the subordinate clause can come in many places in the sentence.
Ex. Most people know that camels are stubborn.
I.C.
S.C.
Ex. When the sun set, the caravans stopped for the night.
S.C.
I.C.
Ex. The groundhog, which is also called a woodchuck, is a kind of marmot.
I.C.
S.C.
D.C.
Note: When the subordinate clause comes before or in the middle of a main clause, comma(s)
are often needed.
Practice Sentences: Label the Independent Clause I.C. and the Subordinate Clause S.C.
1. Ed’s bicycle, which he bought on sale, is a ten speed.
2. He paid a price that was incredibly low.
3. He likes ten speeds because they are versatile.
4. Before Julia bought a bicycle, she compared models.
5. When gasoline prices rose, many people used bicycles.
©P. R. Snow 2009
p. 2
Complex Sentences: AAAWWUBBIS!
In a complex sentence there are a number of subordinating conjunctions that
connect the clauses. AAAWWUBBIS is a list of common (but not all)
subordinating conjunctions.
Although
Although we were ready for the game, the rain kept us
from playing.
After
The game was finally canceled after it started pouring.
As
As soon as I get home, I’m going to the pool!
When
You must check out the alligator exhibit when you go to
the zoo.
While
I am going to pick up the dry cleaning while you are at the
store.
Unless
Unless you stop pulling on my arm, I am going to give you a
whipping!
Before
Don’t forget to put your book in your backpack before you
go to bed tonight.
Because
Because the weather was nice and warm, we had a picnic
at the park.
If
If you go to the nation’s capital, you will find some
astounding historical buildings.
Since
I have had a headache since I woke up this morning.
Note: if the subordinate clause comes first, you need a comma to separate it from the
main clause.
©P. R. Snow 2009