Complex Sentences

A complex sentence has a dependent and an independent clause. The dependent clause can come first or last in the sentence. If it comes first, a comma is needed to separate the two clauses. The comma allows for the natural pause we make when saying the sentence aloud.

Dependent clauses tend to begin with a special type of word called a subordinate conjunction. Here are the most frequently used subordinate conjunctions:

as
although after when while unless until because before if since
Notice that the dependent clauses below all begin with a subordinating conjunction. Knowing the list by memory can help you to identify dependent clauses. This will help you avoid sentence fragments. It will also help you know when your complex sentence will need a comma. Practice with the song: AAAWWUUBBIS.