English Grammar Understanding the Basics - Evelyn P. Altenberg, Robert M. Vago 2010
Lesson 50: Compound-complex sentences
Unit 16: Combining sentences
Part III: Getting started with sentences
You know (from Lesson 47) that sentence 1 is a compound sentence:
1. Martha left me a note but I can’t find it.
You also know (from Lesson 48) that sentence 2 is a complex sentence:
2. She answered him impatiently when he questioned her credentials.
Like all compound sentences, sentence 1 contains at least two complete sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction, in this case but. And like all complex sentences, sentence 2 contains a main clause with at least one dependent clause; the dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction, in this case when.
But what about this next sentence?
3. I’ll leave a message for the plumber but I’m not sure that he’ll get it.
You won’t be surprised to learn that sentences such as sentence 3, which are both compound (two clauses connected with but) and complex (two clauses connected with that), are called compound-complex sentences. These are sentences that contain at least two main clauses, and at least one of the main clauses has at least one dependent clause.
Quick tip 50.1
A compound-complex sentence is a combination of a compound and a complex sentence: it has at least two main clauses and at least one dependent clause. Example: His friends were always there for William, and he appreciated the help that they often gave him.
Here are some more examples of compound-complex sentences, with the complete sentences in bold and the dependent clauses underlined:
4. While the house looked nice from the outside, the floors were sagging and the walls were crumbling.
5. The woman who lives next door is very friendly but I forgot her name.
6. I thanked him for his efforts but he insisted that he hadn’t minded.
7. If we don’t hurry, we’ll have to see a different movie, or we’ll have to come back later.
Test yourself 50.1
Decide if each sentence below is a complex or compound-complex sentence.
Sample: He realized that they had been investigating his private life. complex
Getting started (answers on p. 234)
1. They are walking quickly down the hall which connects their lab to the main office.
2. The castle looked beautiful in the sunlight, and it dominated the countryside which was around it.
3. The Mercer family has gone on the vacation which they’ve been planning for years.
4. He was angry at his friend, but he decided that he wasn’t going to tell him.
5. We don’t know whether we’ll succeed, but it’s important that we try.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. Since you moved, a lot of things have changed.
7. Mr. Burns’s son can’t buy a house until he finishes medical school, but he is already saving for it.
8. I am not going to sign the contract until my lawyer looks it over.
9. We will go to the concert, but I am warning you that we will have to wait on line for tickets.
10. The mechanic said that we should check our tire pressure every week.
Test yourself 50.2
Decide if each sentence below is a simple, compound, complex or compound-complex sentence. Sample: Her older son, whose name was Edward, moved into the city first. complex
Getting started (answers on p. 234)
1. If you travel to New York, you should definitely visit Times Square.
2. He dried his face with a towel.
3. I like the view from my apartment, but it can get very noisy outside.
4. Once you arrive in Europe, you should call me.
5. It is obvious to me that you have to limit your spending, or you’ll have to look for a second job.
More practice (answers on the website)
6. He is sleeping soundly, but he needs to get up soon.
7. They buy a newspaper almost every morning.
8. The game started before I got there.
9. Valerie will be happy when she gets the news.
10. I invited Carrie over and she joined me for a dinner which was delicious.