Structure: Complex Sentence Structure II

A complex sentence contains one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Examples:

• She bought the car even though she had no need for it.
• He was constipated because he had eaten too much.
• The boy whose father died has dropped out of school.
• The tree which fell across the road caused the driver’s death because he was careless.
• When the principal entered the class, the boy ran away because he had not paid his school fees.

Identification of Clauses:

1.    She bought the car – main clause

       … even though she had no need for it – subordinate clause

2.    He was constipated – main clause

       … because he had eaten too much – subordinate clause