A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought. A sentence must have a subject and a verb. It can consist of a single clause or several clauses. A sentence must at least have one independent clause to be called a sentence. Sentences can be divided into four types depending on the structure of their clauses. Simple sentences, compound sentences, complex sentences and compound-complex sentences are these four types of sentences. In this article, we are going to discuss compound-complex sentence and how it is formed.
What is Compound-Complex Sentence
A compound-complex sentence is a sentence with multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. As its name suggests, it is also made up of a compound sentence and a complex sentence. Being a compound sentence, it contains two or more independent clauses and being a complex sentence, it contains at least one dependent clause. Therefore, a compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clause and at least one dependent clause, as mentioned above. Look at the following example to understand the structure of a compound-complex sentence.
After he got elected as the president, he appointed a new committee and organized a farewell party for the former president.
Dependent Clause: After he got elected as the president
Independent Clause: he appointed a new committee
Independent Clause: he organized a farewell party for the former president.
It is important to note that the dependent clause in a compound-complex sentence can act as a noun clause, adjective clause, and an adverbial clause.
Dependent Clause as a Noun Clause:
She explained how to make a chocolate cake, and we followed her instructions.
Dependent Clause as an Adjective Clause:
They could have bought the dress that you like, but they ignored your choice.
Dependent Clause as an Adverbial Clause:
This store has a lot of grocery items, and it also offers some other useful services because it is the only store in the town.
Although the kids hated their new teacher, they liked to go to school and they enjoyed playing games.
Examples of Compound-Complex Sentence
Although I like to explore new places, I don’t have the time to go on trips lately, and I haven’t also got money.
I know that you don’t like her, but it doesn’t matter.
Whenever she sees him, she frowns at him, or she pretends that she doesn’t see him.
We went to school, but Mary remained at home because she wasn’t feeling well.
He did what could be done, but it couldn’t save her life.
The tall man who is speaking to your mother is Dr. Davis, but I don’t the name of that woman.
Jenny tried the new recipes she got from her grandmother, and she mastered them quickly.
After I left work, I stopped at the bank and went to the doctor.
Compound-Complex Sentence – Summary
- A compound-complex sentence has two or more independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- A compound-complex sentence is a combination of complex and compound sentences.
- The dependent clause in a compound-complex sentence can act as a noun clause, adjective clause, and an adverbial clause.
