Examples of Complex Sentences

Below are examples of complex sentences. In each example, the independent clause is shaded. The dependent clause is unshaded.

• Stay in the bath until the phone rings.
• Both the cockroach and the bird would get along very well without us, although the cockroach would miss us most. (Joseph Wood Krutch, 1893-1970)
• Leave while you can.
• When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong. (Arthur C. Clarke)
(These are two complex sentences.)

Subordinating Conjunctions in Complex Sentences

The word used to link an independent clause to a dependent clause is called a subordinating conjunction. The most common subordinating conjunctions are although, because, before, even though, if, since, until, and when.
The role of a subordinating conjunction and the dependent clause is to establish a time, a place, a reason, a condition, a concession, or a comparison for the main clause.
Easy Examples of Subordinating Conjunctions
In each example below, the subordinating conjunction is in bold, and the subordinate clause is shaded. (The normal text is the main clause.)
• Keep your hand on the wound until the bleeding stops.
(The subordinate clause sets a time.)
• Steve will sleep wherever there's a bed.
(The subordinate clause sets a place.)
• She left early because Tony arrived with his new girlfriend.
(The subordinate clause sets a reason.)
• If it rains, the bet is off.
(The subordinate clause sets a condition.)
• Even though she's skint, she'll still look a million dollars.
(The subordinate clause sets a concession.)
• I will succeed whereas you will fail.
(The subordinate clause sets a comparison.)
A subordinating conjunction provides a bridge between the main clause and the subordinate clause.