complex sentences
Clauses joined dependently
Complex sentences contain an independent clause joined with one or more dependent clauses—parts that can't stand alone as complete thoughts.
The dependent clause typically begins with a subordinating word: Because it was raining, we stayed inside, She left before the movie ended.
This structure lets writers show relationships between ideas—cause, time, condition, contrast—that simple sentences can't express as elegantly.
Clause requiring another clause
- dependent clauseIncomplete grammatical unit needing support
- independent clauseSelf-sufficient grammatical unit
- main clauseSelf-sufficient sentence portion
- relative clauseDependent modifier of nouns
Antecedent-referring clause introducer
- althoughConcessive conjunction
- becauseFor the reason that
- whileDuring that period
- whereasConjunction signaling contrast
however · therefore · nevertheless · furthermore · moreover · consequently · accordingly · provided that
Punctuation marking pauses
- semicolonPunctuation joining related clauses
- colonLarge intestine section
- dashQuick burst or pinch
- comma spliceMisjoined clauses with punctuation
Temporary halt or exclusion
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- parallelismMatching structural elements
- antithesisDirect opposite; contrasting juxtaposition
sophistication · eloquence · academic writing · persuasion · emphasis
What produces an effect
- effectResult of a cause
- conditionState or stipulation
- contrastNotable difference between things
- concessionYielding a point
purpose · result · comparison · exception · elaboration · qualification · nuance · contingency
subordinate clause
Clause requiring another clause
- dependent clauseIncomplete grammatical unit needing support
- independent clauseSelf-sufficient grammatical unit
- main clauseSelf-sufficient sentence portion
relative clause · noun clause · subordination · coordination · branching
relative pronoun
Antecedent-referring clause introducer
whereas · however · therefore · nevertheless · furthermore · moreover · consequently · accordingly · provided that · unless
comma
Punctuation marking pauses
comma splice · run-on · comma placement · serial comma · punctuation rules
suspension
Temporary halt or exclusion
- climaxPoint of greatest intensity
- anticlimaxDisappointing conclusion after buildup
- parallelismMatching structural elements
antithesis · sophistication · eloquence · academic writing · persuasion · emphasis
cause
What produces an effect
concession · purpose · result · comparison · exception · elaboration · qualification · nuance · contingency · causation
- clausesmain clause, main clauses, independent clause, dependent clause, dependent clauses
- punctuationperiod, comma, colon, apostrophe, semicolon
- grammardeclension, pronouns, adjectives, conjugation, nouns
- formalitydecorum, etiquette, propriety, politeness, respectfully
sentence, complex, complexity, complexes, complexly, complex sentence