What punctuation do you use when the dependent clause comes before an independent clause in a complex sentence?

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent and at least one dependent clause (sometimes called a subordinate clause). An independent clause is a phrase that would make sense if it were a sentence on its own, whereas a dependent clause will not form a sentence on its own. When these two types of clauses appear in a sentence, we create a complex sentence.

Consider this example:

• I like to eat the candy before I watch a movie.

“I like to eat the candy” is an independent clause as it would make a complete sentence on its own.

“Before I watch a movie” is a dependent clause, as it doesn’t make a complete sentence on its own. It is ‘dependent’ on the first clause for the phrase to make sense.

Complex Sentence Definition

The definition of a complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Examples of Complex Sentences

In the examples of complex sentences below, the dependent clause comes first. Notice that the dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (words like since, because, while) and that the clauses are separated by a comma:

• Because he was late again, he would be docked a day’s pay.
• While I am a passionate basketball fan, I prefer football.
• Although she was considered smart, she failed all her exams.
• Whenever it rains, I like to wear my blue coat.

In the complex sentence examples shown below, the independent clause comes first. Notice that in most examples there is no separation of the clauses by a comma, which is the general rule in complex sentences starting with an independent clause. However, the last example has a comma as it is an example of an extreme contrast. This extreme contrast refers to the clauses expressing ideas that are almost opposite in meaning or that must be heavily emphasized.

• Having a party is a bad idea because the neighbors will complain.
• I am extremely happy since I retired.
• The dog jumped on his lap while he was eating.
• Annie was still crying, although she had been happy about the news.

Independent and Dependent Clauses

We have mentioned several times that a complex sentence contains an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. But what are clauses in a sentence? And why are they important in grammar?

Let’s look back at the earlier example of a complex sentence:

• I like to eat candy before I watch a movie.

As we stated earlier, “I like to eat candy” is an independent clause. It makes sense as a standalone sentence.  “Before I watch a movie” does not make sense on its own. However, let’s tweak the sentence a bit:

• I like to eat candy, but I don’t like to eat popcorn.

The sentence now contains two independent clauses, as “I like to eat candy” and “I don’t like to eat popcorn” could both form complete sentences. The example has now become a compound sentence, i.e. one that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (but).

However, there is an important distinction to be made when a subordinating conjunction is added to a clause. These words – such as since, whenever, although, because – act to make a clause a dependent clause, even if it looks like an independent clause.

• I like to eat candy (independent clause – makes sense on its own).
• Because I like to eat candy (dependent clause – does not make sense on its own without more information).

Common Complex Sentence Examples

As we have seen with the previous examples, the structure for a complex sentence essentially looks like this:

• Dependent Clause + Independent Clause (comma splits the clause)
• Independent Clause + Dependent Clause (comma usually does not split the clause)

So, using that structure we can easily form examples of complex sentences:

• Because she was scoring many baskets, Elesa was considered the best player on the team.
• Elesa was considered the best player on the team because she was scoring many baskets.
• Since Hannah got here, she’s been nothing but trouble.
• Hannah has been nothing but trouble since she got here.

You should also be aware that a complex sentence can contain more than one dependent clause. Here are some examples of those types of complex sentences:

• Because I was often late, and since I was always forgetting things, I was regarded as a scatterbrain by my friends.
• Although the war ended, and as people tend to have short memories, the city’s people were still divided over its impact.

Complex Sentences from Literature

Below are some quotes from that classic books that can be considered complex sentences:

• “Because he was so small, Stuart was often hard to find around the hou”
  E.B White – Stuart Little
• “I’ve never any pity for conceited people, because I think they carry their comfort about with them.”
  George Eliot – The Mill on the Floss
• “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.”
  John Steinbeck — East of Eden

The 4 Types of Sentence Structure

A complex sentence is, of course, just one type of sentence we can use in writing. The four types of sentence are discussed below:

As we have mentioned, a complex sentence is one with an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Example:

• Whenever he was lonely, Lance called his mother.

A compound sentence is one with two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, but, and, nor, or, yet, so).

Example:

• I was born in the United States, yet I consider myself Canadian.

A simple sentence is one with only one independent clause and no dependent clauses.

Example:

• David drives carefully to work in the morning.

1. A Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence is one with at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.

• Jim doesn’t drink beer because he has a gluten allergy, so he tends to drink wine most weekends.

Subordinating Conjunctions

There are dozens of subordinating conjunctions in English, and their usage is intrinsically linked to dependent (subordinate) clauses.

Common examples of subordinating conjunctions include: After, before, even though, although, as much as, when, whenever, because, as long as, while, since. These words and phrases act as modifiers to a sentence, sometimes changing the phrase from an independent clause to a dependent clause.

There are two main ways to think about subordinating clauses:

• A word or phrase that introduces a dependent clause.
• A word or phrase that links an independent and dependent clause.

Using Subordinate Clauses in Complex Sentences

As we mentioned earlier, a subordinate clause is another way of terming a dependent clause. Both words, subordinate and dependent, offer clues to help us better understand the function of these clauses in writing. Dependent means contingent on or determined by, whereas subordinate means lower in rank or position. That tells us that – grammatically speaking – subordinate/dependent clauses are not equal to the independent clause in a sentence.

The independent clause and subordinate clause are not equal because the latter cannot form a sentence on its own. The subordinate clause is, as such, dependent on the independent clause to provide the complete meaning.

You cannot create a complex sentence without using a subordinate clause in it. Other types of sentences – compound sentences, simple sentences – can exist without subordinate clauses. When you think about it, the subordinate clause is what makes the sentence ‘complex’. The subordinate clause requires the help of the independent clause for it to make sense. It reaches back or forward across the sentence to contextualize itself, making the sentence more ‘complex’ in the process.

A Brief Note Before We Begin

This post is about combining sentences, not about combining ELEMENTS of sentences (e.g. subjects, verbs, modifiers, objects). We’ve seen a lot of confusion between these topics, so we’re taking a few seconds to touch on this before we get going.

Any element of a sentence can be compounded; however, this does not mean that the entire sentence is compounded and requires a comma or semicolon. This in particular is one of the English ACT’s tricks.

Compound Subjects

• While walking home, Sarah and Jasmine talked about the test.

• Sarah, who you met earlier, and Jasmine are going to stay with us.

Compound Verbs

When one person is doing two things, there is no need to use a comma and conjunction

• She drew realistic people and animals.

• She sold her drawings to an art collector.

• She drew realistic people and animals and sold her drawings to an art collector.

  • Here, the compound verb is “drew and sold”

All right. Let’s get this party started!!

Sentence: An Updated Definition

A sentence is more than just a string of words with a subject and a verb. It can also be defined as either an independent clause or a combination of independent and dependent clauses. 

This definition of a sentence is helpful in learning how and when to use commas, semicolons, and conjunctions in order to combine sentences.

Independent clause

Think of this as a thought or idea that can stand on its own. It doesn’t need anything else to make sense. If your friend said, “I need to plug my phone in,” you would understand exactly what they meant. 

Essentially, this is just a sentence. Don’t feel overcomplicate it!

Dependent clause

On the other hand, a dependent clause can’t stand on its own. It has a subject and verb, but it doesn’t form a main idea. Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, because, before, if, once, since, that, unless, until, when, why, etc. OR they begin with relative pronouns: that, which, whoever, whom, who, whose.

Here are some examples of dependent clauses:

• Although he did like my idea

• Who was always so quiet

• While Sarah and Jasmine were cooking

All of these examples leave you hanging! He liked my idea… but what? Who was always so quiet… who? While Sarah and Jasmine were cooking… what?

This is the reason that dependent clauses are attached to independent clauses, giving us a complete understanding of what’s happening.

How (and when) to Combine Clauses

Now that you know the two basic types of clauses, you’re ready to learn how put this knowledge into practice! We will go over three independent and/or dependent clause scenarios to show you what to do.

Independent Clause + Independent Clause

To combine two complete sentences/ independent clauses, you have two options. You can use a comma with a conjunction, or you can use a semicolon. If you use a comma and conjunction, the acronym FANBOYS will help you remember the conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). If you use a semicolon, you do not have to capitalize the first letter of the next sentence.

• Comma and Conjunction — I got coffee, and she got tea.

• Semicolon — I got coffee; she got tea.

Independent Clause + Dependent Clause

In this scenario, which is GUARANTEED to show up on your ACT test, you will either attach the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma or without a comma.

It depends where the dependent clause occurs in the sentence. When it comes before the independent clause, always use a comma. When it comes after the independent clause, you will not need a comma (*most of the time).

• Comma — Because he did his homework, he got to go to the game.

• No comma — He got to go to the game because he did his homework.

*However, when a dependent clause begins with any of the words listed below and follows an independent clause, it will need a comma. These words create contrast in the sentence, so a comma is needed for more clarity.

• although

• though / even though

• whereas

Let’s take a look at this exception in a sentence — Mr. Williams said my essay needed more work, although he did like my idea.

Independent Clause + Independent Clause + Dependent Clause

Yep! You read that right. You can combine all three of these clauses. English is a complex language, and there are so many combinations you can create.

When you see a long sentence on your ACT English test, it’s quite possible that it’s written in a similar pattern as this and is not a run-on! Always pay special attention to the commas and conjunctions that are used. This will help you determine if it is a complete sentence or a run-on.

Here are two examples with each of the clauses explained. 

1. All of my friends are planning for prom before school even starts, but I just want to plan for some pool days. 

• “All of my friends are planning for prom” — Independent Clause

• “before school even starts” — Dependent Clause

  • No comma is needed to attach this.

• “I just want to plan for some pool days.” — Independent Clause

  • Because this clause is a complete sentence, it needs “,but” to attach to the first half.

2. Since this is my last year of high school, I want to spend more time with my friends; we’re all going to different colleges next year.

• “Since this is my last year of high school” — Dependent Clause

  • This needs a comma because it occurs before the independent clause.

• “I want to spend more time with my friends” — Independent Clause

• “we’re all going to different colleges next year.” — Independent Clause

  • Since this is an independent clause, it is linked with a semicolon.

In Summary. . .

To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction. 

To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).