What is the difference between a compound-complex and a complex sentence? Provide examples.

English Grammar Questions Long



80 Short 80 Medium 70 Long Answer Questions Question Index

What is the difference between a compound-complex and a complex sentence? Provide examples.

A compound-complex sentence is a type of sentence that combines both compound and complex sentence structures. It contains two or more independent clauses (compound) and at least one dependent clause (complex). On the other hand, a complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. The main difference lies in the number of independent clauses present in each sentence type.

To better understand the difference, let's look at some examples:

1. Compound-complex sentence:
- Independent clause 1: I went to the store.
- Independent clause 2: She stayed at home.
- Dependent clause: Because it was raining.

Example: I went to the store, but she stayed at home because it was raining.

In this example, we have two independent clauses ("I went to the store" and "She stayed at home") connected by a coordinating conjunction ("but"). Additionally, we have a dependent clause ("Because it was raining") that adds more information to the sentence.

2. Complex sentence:
- Independent clause: I studied for the exam.
- Dependent clause: Although I was tired.

Example: Although I was tired, I studied for the exam.

In this example, we have one independent clause ("I studied for the exam") and one dependent clause ("Although I was tired"). The dependent clause provides a contrasting condition to the main clause.

In summary, the key difference between a compound-complex and a complex sentence is the number of independent clauses. A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent clause, while a complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.