Lesson 292

Parts of the Sentence - Compound & Complex Sentences

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clauseA clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence.
Source: Lesson 246 and a dependent clauseA clause is a group of words having a subject and a verb. A dependent clause must be attached to the independent clause to make sense. It is always used as some part of speech. A dependent clause can be an adjective, adverb, or noun. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. Source: Lesson 246.

A compound sentence combines two or more independent clauses. Commas separate the clauses of a compound sentence. (A short sentence joined by and is sometimes combined without a comma.) A semicolon can take the place of the conjunctionA conjunction is a word that joins other words, phrases (groups of words), or clauses (groups of words with a subjects and verb). Source: Lesson 76 and comma. Only clauses closely related in thought should be joined to make a compound sentence.

Instructions: The following sentences are made up of two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses. You are to identify the clauses telling what kind each is. The choices are independent clause, noun clauseA noun clause is a dependent clause that can be used in the same way as a noun or pronoun. It can be a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, appositive, indirect object, or object of the preposition. Some of the words that introduce noun clause are that, whether, who, why, whom, what, how, when, whoever, where, and whomever. Source: Lesson 275, adjective clauseThe adjective clause is a dependent clause that is used to modify a noun or a pronoun. It will begin with a relative pronoun (who, whose, whom, which, and that) or a subordinate conjunction (when and where). Those are the only words that can be used to introduce an adjective clause.
Source: Lesson 255, or adverb clauseThe adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. They usually modify the verb. Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinate conjunction including after, although, as, as if, before, because, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, and while. Source: Lesson 265.

1. Since we had gone only a mile from camp, we could return before dark, and we would not become lost.

Since we had gone only a mile from campadverb clause,

we could return before darkindependent clause,
and

we would not become lostindependent clause.

2. After the tornado had hit, my house was gone, but my neighbor's house was not touched.

After the tornado had hitadverb clause,
my house was goneindependent clause, but

my neighbor's house was not touchedindependent clause.

3. Mary heard the frightening noise again, and the sound was one that would frighten the bravest of people.

Mary heard the frightening noise againindependent clause,
and the sound was oneindependent clause

that would frighten the bravest of peopleadjective clause.

4. The route can be changed, but I know several people who will not like the change.

The route can be changedindependent clause
but I know several peopleindependent clause

who will not like the changeadjective clause.

5. Dr. Mathews did what could be done, but it simply was not enough to save his life.

Dr. Mathews didindependent clause what could be donenoun clause,
but

it simply was not enough to save his lifeindependent clause.