KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Complex Sentences? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Complex Sentences today?

now

His favourite subject is geography, yet he still can't read a map.

Complex Sentences

Write stronger complex sentences by joining ideas with subordinating conjunctions. Learn how meaning changes with because, although, if, and when.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Switch the conjunction to change meaning: Because explains reason, although adds contrast, if sets a condition, when marks time.

In 11 Plus English, complex sentences combine a main clause with a subordinate clause to show reason, contrast, condition, or time. Choosing the right conjunction makes your meaning precise and clear.

Key Terms

Complex sentence: A sentence with a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
Subordinating conjunction: A word that introduces a subordinate clause, such as because, although, if, when.
Subordinate clause: A clause that cannot stand alone and depends on the main clause for full meaning.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a complex sentence for 11 Plus?

A complex sentence joins a main clause with a subordinate clause to show relationships like reason or time. Example I stayed inside because it was raining.

Which words can start complex sentences?

Common starters include because, although, if, when, since, while, after, before, unless. Example Although it was late, we finished the homework.

Do I need a comma in a complex sentence?

Use a comma when the subordinate clause comes first. Example When the bell rang, the class lined up. No comma if the main clause comes first.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

He was scared. He went into the forest alone.

He was scared.

He was scared, but he went into the forest alone.

Although he was scared, he went into the forest alone.

Independent clause: 'he went into the forest alone'; dependent clause: 'Although he was scared'. The dependent clause is often introduced by one of the following words: 'although', 'though', 'because', 'provided', 'however', 'if' and 'since'. The dependent clause may stand at the front or the end of the sentence

2 .

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

John ran fast. Steve beat him.

John ran fast.

John ran fast, but Steve beat him.

Though John ran fast, Steve beat him.

The independent clauses are 'John ran fast' and 'Steve beat him'. The conjunction is 'but'. Don't forget: a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with one of the following conjunctions: 'and, but, for, nor, yet, so'. The first independent clause is separated from the second independent clause by a COMMA and one of the named CONJUNCTIONS

3 .

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

Jane opened her umbrella.

Jane opened her umbrella because it was raining.

It was raining, so Jane opened her umbrella.

It was raining.

Independent clause: 'Jane opened her umbrella'; dependent clause: 'because it was raining'. The dependent clause is often introduced by one of the following words: 'although', 'though', 'because', 'provided', 'however', 'if' and 'since'. The dependent clause may stand at the front or the end of the sentence

4 .

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

He practises every day because he wants to be a top chess player.

He wants to be a top chess player, so he practises every day.

He wants to be a top chess player.

He practises every day.

The independent clauses are 'He wants to be a top chess player' and 'he practises every day'. The conjunction is 'so'. Don't forget: a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with one of the following conjunctions: 'and, but, for, nor, yet, so'. The first independent clause is separated from the second independent clause by a COMMA and one of the named CONJUNCTIONS

5 .

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

While the wind was blowing, the kite flew high.

The wind was blowing, and the kite was flying high.

The kite was flying high.

The wind was blowing. The kite was flying high.

Independent clause: 'the kite flew high'; dependent clause: 'While the wind was blowing'. The dependent clause is often introduced by one of the following words: 'although', 'though', 'because', 'provided', 'however', 'if' and 'since'. The dependent clause may stand at the front or the end of the sentence

6 .

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

He tried hard to lift the heavy weight, but he wasn't strong enough to lift it.

Although he tried hard to lift the heavy weight, he wasn't strong enough to lift it.

He tried hard to lift the heavy weight.

He wasn't strong enough to lift it.

The independent clauses are 'He tried hard to lift the heavy weight' and 'he wasn't strong enough to lift it'. The conjunction is 'but'. Don't forget: a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with one of the following conjunctions: 'and, but, for, nor, yet, so'. The first independent clause is separated from the second independent clause by a COMMA and one of the named CONJUNCTIONS

7 .

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

He continued studying. He was very tired.

He continued studying.

He continued studying, but he was very tired.

He continued studying though he was very tired.

Independent clause: 'He continued studying '; dependent clause: 'though he was very tired'. The dependent clause is often introduced by one of the following words: 'although', 'though', 'because', 'provided', 'however', 'if' and 'since'. The dependent clause may stand at the front or the end of the sentence

8 .

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

They bought lots of crockery, and they also bought some silver cutlery.

They bought lots of crockery and cutlery.

Although they bought some silver cutlery, they didn't buy any crockery.

They bought lots of crockery. They didn't buy any cutlery.

The independent clauses are 'They bought lots of crockery' and 'they also bought some silver cutlery'. The conjunction is 'and'. Don't forget: a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with one of the following conjunctions: 'and, but, for, nor, yet, so'. The first independent clause is separated from the second independent clause by a COMMA and one of the named CONJUNCTIONS

9 .

Which of the following sentences is a complex sentence?

The bell rang, and the children ran out of the classroom.

When the bell rang, the children ran out of the classroom.

The children ran out of the classroom. The bell rang.

The children ran out of the classroom.

Independent clause: 'the children ran out of the classroom'; dependent clause: 'When the bell rang'. The dependent clause is often introduced by one of the following words: 'although', 'though', 'because', 'provided', 'however', 'if' and 'since'. The dependent clause may stand at the front or the end of the sentence

10 .

Which of the following sentences is a compound sentence?

Though he can't read a map, his favourite subject is geography.

His favourite subject is geography, though he can't read a map.

His favourite subject is geography, yet he still can't read a map.

His favourite subject is geography.

The independent clauses are 'His favourite subject is geography' and 'he still can't read a map'. The conjuction is 'yet'. Don't forget: a compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (independent clauses) joined with one of the following conjunctions: 'and, but, for, nor, yet, so'. The first independent clause is separated from the second independent clause by a COMMA and one of the named CONJUNCTIONS

Author: Frank Evans (Specialist 11 Plus Teacher and Tutor)