A complex sentence is a sentence that combines one independent clause (a complete thought) with at least one dependent clause (a part of a sentence that cannot stand alone). These sentences allow you to convey more detailed ideas and show the relationship between different thoughts.
There are many types of sentences like: Compound sentences, simple sentences, complex sentences, and more. You’ll test your understanding of complex sentences by identifying them and understanding how they work. Ready to dive into the world of more sophisticated sentences?
A complex sentence comprises one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, with the clauses being unequal and connected by a coordinating conjunction that alters the hierarchy. For instance, “My Dad laughed when I told a joke.”.
Complex Sentence Quiz
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Examples and exercise on Complex Sentence test
1. Which clause in the following sentence is the dependent clause? When I was young, we went to the beach every day.
a) I was young
b) We went to the beach every day
c) When I was young
Explain: The clause “When I was young” in the provided sentence is dependent since it cannot function independently as a complete sentence, requiring the main clause “we went to the beach every day” to convey a complete thought. This dependent clause offers further details about the timing of the beach visits.
2. The following is a complete sentence: Although I went to the campus on Tuesday and applied for the on-campus job that was being offered for the spring semester
a) True
b) False
Explain: False. The initial observation is that this set of words lacks full meaning due to the presence of the word “Although,” a subordinating conjunction. Remove this word to form a complete sentence.
3. In the following sentence, which word is the subordinating conjunction? Although the economist predicted the recession, he did not feel that good about it.
a) The
b) Although
c) he
Explain: The subordinating conjunction is “although,” the article is always “the,” the subject of the main clause is “he,” and the object of the preposition “about” is “it.”
4. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) Where do you want to eat dinner?
B) The play, though very long, was really good.
C) Do you want to watch a funny movie, or would you rather watch a scary movie?
5. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) Although I’m a fan of the actor, I thought the movie was terrible.
B) Hillary wants to work as a dentist or work as a doctor.
C) My dad just got a promotion.
Explain: Although I’m a fan of the actor, I thought the movie was terrible. Out of the given options, this sentence is complex because it combines two clauses, and uses a subordinating conjunction (although).
6. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) The doll has long blonde hair.
B) Look behind the couch, while we wait.
C) I always wanted to visit Europe, but I didn’t want to do it with a broken leg.
7. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) I will give you your present after you eat your dinner.
B) He didn’t want to go to the party, yet he went anyway.
C) The bridge is very long.
Explain: Complex: I will give you your present after you eat your dinner. Out of the given options, this sentence is complex because it combines two clauses, and uses a subordinating conjunction (after).
8. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) My team won the soccer game, despite it raining heavily.
B) The choir went to Italy, and they had a wonderful time.
C) My little sister wants a pony for her birthday.
9. Choose the complex sentence out of the given options.
A) I live near the ocean, yet I’ve never surfed.
B) Watermelon is my favorite fruit to eat on a hot day.
C) Because the flowers were so beautiful, she put them in a vase.
Explain: Because the flowers were so beautiful, she put them in a vase. Out of the given options, this sentence is the most complex because it combines two clauses, and uses a subordinating conjunction (because)
10. Which of the following is a complex sentence?
A) I like pizza.
B) She went to the store and bought groceries.
C) Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
Explain: This is a complex sentence because it contains two clauses: “Although it was raining” (dependent) and “we went for a walk” (independent). The dependent clause cannot stand alone.
11. What is the dependent clause in this sentence? “I stayed home because it was snowing.”
A) I stayed home
B) because it was snowing
C) it was snowing
Explain: “Because it was snowing” is the dependent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete thought. It depends on the independent clause “I stayed home” to make sense.
12. Which word is a subordinating conjunction in the sentence: “I will go to the party if I finish my homework”?
A) will
B) go
C) if
Explain: “If” is a subordinating conjunction that connects the dependent clause “if I finish my homework” with the independent clause “I will go to the party.”
13. Which of the following is NOT a complex sentence?
A) She can’t attend the meeting because she is sick.
B) We went to the beach after the rain stopped.
C) He plays basketball every day.
Explain: This is a simple sentence because it only contains one independent clause with a subject and a verb. The other options are complex sentences, each with a dependent clause.
14. What is the independent clause in the sentence: “Although I studied hard, I didn’t pass the test”?
A) Although I studied hard
B) I didn’t pass the test
C) Although
Explain: “I didn’t pass the test” is the independent clause because it is a complete thought and can stand alone. The dependent clause is “Although I studied hard.”
15. Which sentence is complex?
A) He likes to read books.
B) She went to the park, and I stayed home.
C) If it rains tomorrow, we will stay inside.
Explain: This is a complex sentence because it has an independent clause (“we will stay inside”) and a dependent clause (“If it rains tomorrow”).
16. Which of the following sentences contains a dependent clause?
A) I love ice cream.
B) He didn’t want to go because it was too late.
C) The sun is shining brightly.
Explain: This sentence contains a dependent clause: “because it was too late.” A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence; it needs the independent clause “He didn’t want to go” to form a full thought.
In contrast:
- A) “I love ice cream.” is a simple sentence with only an independent clause.
- C) “The sun is shining brightly.” is also a simple sentence with just an independent clause.
So, B is the only sentence that has both an independent clause (“He didn’t want to go”) and a dependent clause (“because it was too late”).
FAQ’s on Complex Sentences
What is a complex sentence?
A complex sentence is a sentence made up of one independent clause (a complete thought) and at least one dependent clause (a part that can’t stand alone). For example, “I stayed home because it was raining.” The part “I stayed home” is the independent clause, and “because it was raining” is the dependent clause.
How do I know if a sentence is complex?
Look for two parts: one that can stand alone (the independent clause) and one that cannot stand alone (the dependent clause). If a sentence has both, it is complex. For example: “She smiled when she saw the gift.” Here, “She smiled” is independent, and “when she saw the gift” is dependent.
A simple sentence has only one independent clause, like “I like coffee.” A comple
What is the difference between a simple sentence and a complex sentence?
x sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, like “I like coffee because it helps me wake up.” The addition of the dependent clause makes it more detailed.
What are subordinating conjunctions, and why are they important?
Subordinating conjunctions (like because, although, if, when, and since) are words that connect a dependent clause to an independent clause.
They help turn a simple idea into a more complex one. For example, in “I will go to the store if it stops raining,” “if” is the subordinating conjunction connecting the clauses.