A complex sentence structure might sound daunting. What is a complex sentence structure? I’ve only just mastered the simple structure! Don’t worry — complex sentences aren’t as complex as their title makes them out to be. Let us guide you through the in’s and out’s of the complex sentence rules.
What Makes A Sentence Complex?
How to make a complex sentence
A musician should understand notes and chords like a painter should grasp color theory and the various color schemes. For writers, their fundamentals start with syntax and sentence structure. Knowing when to use a simple sentence vs. a compound sentence vs. a compound complex sentence is simply part of the job.
We've covered those options elsewhere but now it's time to get complex.
What is a complex sentence structure? What makes a sentence complex? How do you create a complex sentence? These are all great questions so let's get to the answers, starting with a definition.
WHAT MAKES A SENTENCE COMPLEX?
What is a Complex Sentence Structure?
A complex sentence is a sentence containing an independent clause and a dependent clause.
How to write a complex sentence: an independent clause is a complete thought comprising a subject and verb. A dependent clause is an incomplete thought that would not be a full sentence on its own (it’s also referred to as a subordinate clause).
Let’s get into what complex sentence formations actually look like.
What is a Complex Sentence Structure?
Complex sentence structure examples
Even though their label is intimidating, complex sentence formulas are incredibly common. That was one right there. Here’s a few more to help you understand how to write a complex sentence:
- If dudes are allowed to be around, it should be these dudes.
- He wouldn’t be here if he weren’t in love with you.
- Even though he was nervous, Garth knew he had to enter the dark woods.
- I ran as fast as I could because the collar on the bear looked loose.
For clarity, let’s highlight the dependent clause and independent clause in each complex sentence formation.
- If dudes are allowed to be around, it should be these dudes.
- He wouldn’t be here if he weren’t in love with you.
- Even though he was nervous, Garth knew he had to enter the dark woods.
- I ran as fast as I could because the collar on the bear looked loose.
Note that the clauses in yellow could stand alone as their own sentence, while the clauses in purple could not.
That’s all there is to the structure of a complex sentence.
What is a Complex Sentence Structure?
Complex sentence formation in the arts
There are countless complex examples in everyday language, and so of course screenwriters and beyond know how to write a complex sentence. Here’s a few examples of the complex sentence formula:
“If you build it, he will come.” – Field of Dreams
“The moment one learns English, complications set in.” – Felipe Alfau, Chromos
“Jewel and I come up from the field, following the path in single file.” – William Faulkner, As I Lay Dying
“You hung with me when all the others turned away.” – Bruce Springsteen, “Bobby Jean”
Up Next
What are Sentence Structures?
Now that you’ve answered the question, “What is a complex sentence structure?” It’s time to tackle some more structures. Complex sentence formations aren’t the only sentences out there. There’s simple, compound, and compound-complex. You’ve got some more studying to do– let us help with an overview of all four types.
