Compound-Complex Sentence

A mixed sentence or compound-complex sentence is a type of complex sentence in which there is more than one independent clause joined by one or more dependent or subordinate clauses. Thus, a mixed sentence is a combination of a compound sentence and a subordinate clause. Sometimes, a complex sentence is connected with a simple sentence. Sometimes, there is more than one complex sentence. Thus, three situations are possible: 1. Mixed Sentence Having A Subordinate Clause And A Compound Sentence. Example: Even though he won the competition, he didn’t organize the party, but his father bought him a laptop. There is one subordinate clause and a compound sentence. Subordinate Clause – Even though he won the competition. Compound Sentence – He didn’t organize the party, but his father bought him a laptop. [Two Independent Clauses – He didn’t organize the party. His father bought him a laptop.] 2. Mixed Sentence Having A Simple And A Complex Sentence. Example: I entered the class after the teacher came, but my classmate didn’t join the class. Here, the first part is a complex sentence. The second part is a simple sentence. Complex Sentence – I entered the class after the teacher came. [Independent Clause – I entered the class. Subordinate Clause – After the teacher came.] Simple Sentence (Independent Clause) – My classmate didn’t join the class [subject – classmate, predicate – didn’t join the class] 3. Mixed Sentence Having More Than One Complex Sentence.

Example: I will go to the market when I finish my work, and he will go to the playground when he completes his duty. Here both clauses are complex sentences. Complex Sentence 1: I will go to market when I finish my work [Independent Clause – I will go to market. Subordinate Clause – when I finish my work.] Complex Sentence 2: He will go to the playground when he completes his duty. [Independent Clause – He will go to the playground. Subordinate Clause – when he completes his duty.]

Sentence Forms - Comparison Based on the use of independent and dependent clauses; simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences could be compared as follows: Simple sentence – One independent clause Compound sentence – Two or more independent clauses Complex sentence – One independent clause and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses Compound-Complex sentence (Mixed Sentence) – Two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause