Conjunctions in Complex and Compound Sentences
Welcome to this interactive lesson about conjunctions in complex and compound sentences.
In this lesson you will find out:
- The differences between Simple, Compound and Complex sentences.
- Conjunctions used in different types of sentences.
- Punctuating Compound and Complex sentences and typical mistakes to avoid
- The difference between conjunctions and other linking devices.
This lesson combines explanations and exercises, so please read everything carefully before answering the questions.
You will be able to repeat this lesson as many times as you want.
Let's start!
Welcome to this interactive lesson about conjunctions in complex and compound sentences.
In this lesson you will find out:
- The differences between Simple, Compound and Complex sentences.
- Conjunctions used in different types of sentences.
- Punctuating Compound and Complex sentences and typical mistakes to avoid
- The difference between conjunctions and other linking devices.
This lesson combines explanations and exercises, so please read everything carefully before answering the questions.
You will be able to repeat this lesson as many times as you want.
Let's start!
Read the following sentences.
Some of them are compound sentences, some are complex sentences, and a few are simple sentences.
Tick only the SIMPLE sentences. If you are not sure - just guess at this point.
I am doing well and my boss is happy with my work.
I am usually the first to arrive and the last to leave.
I make friends at work or school easily.
I never reply immediately if someone’s email made me annoyed or upset.
Even if I don’t like someone’s feedback, I still thank them for their suggestions.
I don't answer private phone calls at work unless there is an emergency.
I usually hand in my work before everyone else.
I find out as much as possible about every new project.
I try not to pick sides when my colleagues or classmates have an argument.
When I disagree with my boss, I find it difficult to find the right words.
I put my phone away while at work.
While I am working on a task, I avoid thinking about anything else.
I keep in touch with colleagues after I change jobs.
I go straight home after work.
Now read the explanation below:
To understand the differences between simple, compound and complex sentences, it's important to understand what a CLAUSE is.
A clause is a group of words that, as a minimum, has A SUBJECT AND A VERB and may have other elements.
he works
he works hard
he works hard on his project all the time
However, there is an exception! A clause can have just the verb and no subject if it is a command ( we also call this "imperative")
go now
leave immediately
just do it
A clause may be a complete sentence in itself and this is what we call a SIMPLE sentence. Remember to use a capital letter at the start and a full stop ( or an exclamation mark) at the end.
He works.
He works hard.
He works hard on his project all the time.
Go now.
Leave immediately!
Just do it!
Sometimes, a simple sentence may have more than one verb or its subject may contain more than one noun. In such cases, conjunctions (typically 'and' ) are used to link these verbs or nouns, but the sentence is still a SIMPLE sentence:
Jose and his brother worked in the same company.
They cooked and cleaned.
Conjunctions (typically and, but, or, when, while) can be used to connect some other parts of a simple sentence.
I don't want any tea or coffee.
We were tired but happy.
I don't access Facebook when at work.
All the above sentences are still SIMPLE sentences!
When we put two (or more) CLAUSES together in one sentence, and link these two clauses with a conjunction, we get a COMPOUND or a COMPLEX sentence:
She worked hard and her teachers praised her. (compound)
He went to all the lessons but his exams results were poor. (compound)
When I was a student, I always did all the homework. (complex)
You should learn as much as possible while you still can. (complex)
You will find out about the difference between compound and complex sentences next, but now let's do a quick recap!
Now read the explanation below:
To understand the differences between simple, compound and complex sentences, it's important to understand what a CLAUSE is.
A clause is a group of words that, as a minimum, has A SUBJECT AND A VERB and may have other elements.
he works
he works hard
he works hard on his project all the time
However, there is an exception! A clause can have just the verb and no subject if it is a command ( we also call this "imperative")
go now
leave immediately
just do it
A clause may be a complete sentence in itself and this is what we call a SIMPLE sentence. Remember to use a capital letter at the start and a full stop ( or an exclamation mark) at the end.
He works.
He works hard.
He works hard on his project all the time.
Go now.
Leave immediately!
Just do it!
Sometimes, a simple sentence may have more than one verb or its subject may contain more than one noun. In such cases, conjunctions (typically 'and' ) are used to link these verbs or nouns, but the sentence is still a SIMPLE sentence:
Jose and his brother worked in the same company.
They cooked and cleaned.
Conjunctions (typically and, but, or, when, while) can be used to connect some other parts of a simple sentence.
I don't want any tea or coffee.
We were tired but happy.
I don't access Facebook when at work.
All the above sentences are still SIMPLE sentences!
When we put two (or more) CLAUSES together in one sentence, and link these two clauses with a conjunction, we get a COMPOUND or a COMPLEX sentence:
She worked hard and her teachers praised her. (compound)
He went to all the lessons but his exams results were poor. (compound)
When I was a student, I always did all the homework. (complex)
You should learn as much as possible while you still can. (complex)
You will find out about the difference between compound and complex sentences next, but now let's do a quick recap!
Tick all the rules that are CORRECT.
As a minimum, a clause has a subject and a verb. One exception is commands where a verb is enough.
Sentences that have two or more clauses are called SIMPLE sentences.
A simple sentence is a sentence with no conjunctions.
A simple sentence is a sentence that has only one clause.
A simple sentence may or may not have a conjunction.
A simple sentence may have two or more verbs, two or more nouns etc...
Tick the SIMPLE sentences only:
She didn't stay after the break.
The boss looked angry and stressed.
I had done some shopping before I arrived in class.
They praised him when he passed.
I missed the last test so I have to do it at home.
Don't answer the phone while in class.
I want to do everything on time, yet I am often late.
You can work hard, or you can fail.
Students and teachers should work together.
We discussed the issue and made a decision.
What is the difference between COMPOUND and COMPLEX sentences?
Let's look at COMPOUND sentences first. These are sentences that are made up of two or more independent clauses. The easiest way to tell a compound sentence is by its conjunction. The following conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions" and are used in compound sentences:
for (meaning 'because', so don't confuse it with the preposition 'for'), and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
The acronym FANBOYS is often used to help remember these seven conjunctions.
Remember: the 'FANBOYS' conjunctions should not be placed at the start of the sentence in formal writing ( although we do it a lot when we speak)
- And then what? - Fine in a conversation.
And then I worked for Tesco for 3 years. - Not acceptable in an application letter.
As for punctuating compound sentences, we can use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
I help everyone, yet no one helps me.
They were exhausted, for they had been working all night long.
They told me to go immediately, so I left without saying good-bye to anyone.
The rules are quite relaxed on this issue, so you may also see compound sentences with no commas, like the one below:
He works and I study.
You will read about Complex sentences next, but now let's do a quick recap.
What is the difference between COMPOUND and COMPLEX sentences?
Let's look at COMPOUND sentences first. These are sentences that are made up of two or more independent clauses. The easiest way to tell a compound sentence is by its conjunction. The following conjunctions are called "coordinating conjunctions" and are used in compound sentences:
for (meaning 'because', so don't confuse it with the preposition 'for'), and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
The acronym FANBOYS is often used to help remember these seven conjunctions.
Remember: the 'FANBOYS' conjunctions should not be placed at the start of the sentence in formal writing ( although we do it a lot when we speak)
- And then what? - Fine in a conversation.
And then I worked for Tesco for 3 years. - Not acceptable in an application letter.
As for punctuating compound sentences, we can use a comma before the coordinating conjunction.
I help everyone, yet no one helps me.
They were exhausted, for they had been working all night long.
They told me to go immediately, so I left without saying good-bye to anyone.
The rules are quite relaxed on this issue, so you may also see compound sentences with no commas, like the one below:
He works and I study.
You will read about Complex sentences next, but now let's do a quick recap.
Tick the coordinating conjunctions only (Remember the acronym!)
Before
But
While
Yet
Because
After
Whereas
And
Although
If
Nor
Unless
Or
So
When
For
Tick the COMPOUND sentences only.
Prompt: remember that some sentences with conjunctions are simple sentences!
Success at work is important to me, so I work really hard.
You don’t have to be friends with your boss, but you need to understand them.
I am doing well and my teacher is happy with my work.
I am usually the first to arrive and the last to leave.
I make friends at work and in class easily.
I am a perfectionist at work.
I don't make private calls or check social media at work.
I go straight home after class.
I want to do everything on time, yet I am often late.
You can work hard or you can fail.
What about COMPLEX sentences?
Complex sentences are made up of two or more clauses, one of which is the main clause, and the other is the subordinate clause.
The subordinate clause starts with a subordinate conjunction. There are a lot of subordinate conjunctions in English. Below are just some of them:
if, when, because, before, after, unless, until, although, even if, even though, whereas, ...
Unlike the compound sentences, where the conjunction is always in the middle, in COMPLEX sentences you can move the main clause and the subordinate clause around without changing the meaning, so the conjunction can be at the start of the sentence.
You will need to talk to the teacher if you have a problem.
If you have a problem, you will need to talk to the teacher.
Unless my colleague helps me, I won't be able to finish this.
I won't be able to finish this unless my colleague helps me.
By the way, did you notice a change in the punctuation?
Remember these rules:
- If the sentence starts with a conjunction, we use a comma to separate the clauses from each other.
- We don't have to use a comma if the conjunction is in the middle of the sentence.
This rule is stricter than the rule about using commas in Compound sentences you read earlier, so make sure you check your complex sentences for commas. Also, remember to NOT use a capital letter in the conjunction when it is in the middle of your sentence, like below:
I'll be very upset If you do this! - this sentence is wrong.
Now let's do a quick recap.
What about COMPLEX sentences?
Complex sentences are made up of two or more clauses, one of which is the main clause, and the other is the subordinate clause.
The subordinate clause starts with a subordinate conjunction. There are a lot of subordinate conjunctions in English. Below are just some of them:
if, when, because, before, after, unless, until, although, even if, even though, whereas, ...
Unlike the compound sentences, where the conjunction is always in the middle, in COMPLEX sentences you can move the main clause and the subordinate clause around without changing the meaning, so the conjunction can be at the start of the sentence.
You will need to talk to the teacher if you have a problem.
If you have a problem, you will need to talk to the teacher.
Unless my colleague helps me, I won't be able to finish this.
I won't be able to finish this unless my colleague helps me.
By the way, did you notice a change in the punctuation?
Remember these rules:
- If the sentence starts with a conjunction, we use a comma to separate the clauses from each other.
- We don't have to use a comma if the conjunction is in the middle of the sentence.
This rule is stricter than the rule about using commas in Compound sentences you read earlier, so make sure you check your complex sentences for commas. Also, remember to NOT use a capital letter in the conjunction when it is in the middle of your sentence, like below:
I'll be very upset If you do this! - this sentence is wrong.
Now let's do a quick recap.
Complex sentences have a main clause and a subordinate clause.
True
False
The subordinate clause in a complex sentence starts with a conjunction: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
True
False
In complex sentences, the main clause and the subordinate clause cannot be moved around.
True
False
Conjunctions if, unless, although, whereas, because are subordinate conjunctions and are used in complex sentences.
True
False
If a complex sentence starts with a conjunction, you need to use a comma in the middle, to separate the two clauses.
True
False
Tick only the COMPLEX sentences. (There are quite a few)
Success at work is important to me, so I work really hard.
You don’t have to be friends with your boss, but you need to understand them.
I am usually the first to arrive and the last to leave.
Because I have a lot of opinions, I often disagree with colleagues.
I never reply immediately if someone’s email upset me.
I don't answer private phone calls at work unless there is an emergency.
Unless I am unwell or tired, I am usually happy to take on extra work.
Before I start a new task, I find out as much as possible about it.
I try not to pick sides when my colleagues or classmates have an argument.
I put my phone away while at work.
While I am working on a task, I avoid thinking about anything else.
I go straight home after class.
I want to do everything on time, yet I am often late.
You can work hard or you can fail.
Tick the sentences that have correct punctuation. (Assume that the sentences came from written texts)
I am going to continue my studies. And I intend to do well..
I made many mistakes. Because the teacher didn't explain the rules.
While he was studying the cat was destroying his shoes.
Her presentation was excellent, yet the boss said nothing.
Because he had failed his A-levels, he had to study for another year.
If you had asked them politely they would have helped.
He will fail unless he starts preparing now.
When I finish this course, I will have a gap year before I do anything else.
He thought he would pass with flying colours. But, he failed miserably..
I did not understand the instruction so I read it again.
When you finish your homework, dinner will be ready.
Don't speak until, they ask you a question..
A typical problem that many students ( and even native English speakers!) have with punctuating complex and compound sentences is called a "fused sentence" or "run-on sentence" or "comma splicing".
It happens when you try to put together two clauses without using a conjunction.
The following sentences have INCORRECT punctuation:
My name is Martha I am new here.
He was in a hurry, he left early.
I love writing emails, I prefer to communicate by email most of the time.
Remember: Just putting a comma between the two clauses is not enough. A comma is not a linking tool as it is actually used to separate words and clauses, so don't try to link anything with commas.
To correct the sentences above, you can either leave them as two separate simple sentences or find a suitable conjunction to connect them, for example:
My name is Martha and I am new here.
Because he was in a hurry, he left early.
I love writing emails. I prefer to communicate by email most of the time.
In some cases, it is also possible to connect the clauses using a punctuation device called semi-colon ( ; )
This is suitable for very formal writing and literary genres, so don't overdo it!
Punctuation rules are complex; even native speakers of English can make mistakes.
Now let's do a little recap.
A typical problem that many students ( and even native English speakers!) have with punctuating complex and compound sentences is called a "fused sentence" or "run-on sentence" or "comma splicing".
It happens when you try to put together two clauses without using a conjunction.
The following sentences have INCORRECT punctuation:
My name is Martha I am new here.
He was in a hurry, he left early.
I love writing emails, I prefer to communicate by email most of the time.
Remember: Just putting a comma between the two clauses is not enough. A comma is not a linking tool as it is actually used to separate words and clauses, so don't try to link anything with commas.
To correct the sentences above, you can either leave them as two separate simple sentences or find a suitable conjunction to connect them, for example:
My name is Martha and I am new here.
Because he was in a hurry, he left early.
I love writing emails. I prefer to communicate by email most of the time.
In some cases, it is also possible to connect the clauses using a punctuation device called semi-colon ( ; )
This is suitable for very formal writing and literary genres, so don't overdo it!
Punctuation rules are complex; even native speakers of English can make mistakes.
Now let's do a little recap.
Which sentences below have correct use of conjunctions and punctuation?
He was annoyed, the students had failed again.
I taught my students all the punctuation rules, yet they still make mistakes.
Although compound sentences are really complex, complex sentences are even more so!
They were exhausted, they felt like they had been working for ages.
I am Ted, I am the manager here.
Do, or do not. There is no try.
Some people prefer to word-process their work; others still use a pen and paper.
I prefer instant messaging.Whereas my boss writes long, detailed emails.
Are these the only types of complex sentences and clauses?
No, there is also a type of subordinate clauses called relative clauses and "that"-clauses
They don't have conjunctions as they start with relative pronouns instead:
who, whom, that, which, whose..
Examples:
Do you remember the student who always asked clever questions?
I didn't know that there were so many different rules!
We will study these clauses in another lesson.
Are these the only types of complex sentences and clauses?
No, there is also a type of subordinate clauses called relative clauses and "that"-clauses
They don't have conjunctions as they start with relative pronouns instead:
who, whom, that, which, whose..
Examples:
Do you remember the student who always asked clever questions?
I didn't know that there were so many different rules!
We will study these clauses in another lesson.
What about words and phrases like "also", "in addition", "however", "on the other hand" "consequently"? Are they conjunctions?
No, these words and phrases are not conjunctions. There are many terms for them, such as "linking devices", "connectives", "organisational markers", "discourse devices", "coherence devices', and similar.
These words and phrases are used to link ideas, but typically between different sentences and sometimes even between different paragraphs, not inside the same sentence like conjunctions do.
Look at the following paragraph:
I was a lonely child at school. However, I wanted to have friends. Consequently, I joined different clubs and activities. On the one hand, this helped me make friends. Also, I met my future partner there. On the other hand, I wasted a lot of time socialising instead of studying. As a result, I struggled through my University years. Anyway, one can't change the past.
All these sentences have linking devices in them, yet all the sentences are simple sentences.
Did you notice the punctuation?
Linking devices which are not conjunctions are typically placed at the start of the sentence and separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma:
However, they may be some exceptions.
In your writing exam, you will need to use both conjunctions in compound and complex sentences, so as to showcase your grammar, and other linking devices, so as to show how you can logically structure your text.
Now let's do a little recap.
What about words and phrases like "also", "in addition", "however", "on the other hand" "consequently"? Are they conjunctions?
No, these words and phrases are not conjunctions. There are many terms for them, such as "linking devices", "connectives", "organisational markers", "discourse devices", "coherence devices', and similar.
These words and phrases are used to link ideas, but typically between different sentences and sometimes even between different paragraphs, not inside the same sentence like conjunctions do.
Look at the following paragraph:
I was a lonely child at school. However, I wanted to have friends. Consequently, I joined different clubs and activities. On the one hand, this helped me make friends. Also, I met my future partner there. On the other hand, I wasted a lot of time socialising instead of studying. As a result, I struggled through my University years. Anyway, one can't change the past.
All these sentences have linking devices in them, yet all the sentences are simple sentences.
Did you notice the punctuation?
Linking devices which are not conjunctions are typically placed at the start of the sentence and separated from the rest of the sentence with a comma:
However, they may be some exceptions.
In your writing exam, you will need to use both conjunctions in compound and complex sentences, so as to showcase your grammar, and other linking devices, so as to show how you can logically structure your text.
Now let's do a little recap.
Which sentences below have conjunctions? (and not other linking devices or relative pronouns))
Therefore, you are right and he is wrong.
I won't remember anything unless I do it one more time.
Before we move on, I'd like to ask another question.
Also, this application is very user-friendly.
I don't know who else can help me.
I had to apologise in person because she had complained to the management.
I will be so happy when I finally finish this task!
Consequently, he had to leave quickly.
Now please write one SIMPLE sentence about how you communicate at school or at work. Use correct punctuation.
Now please write one COMPOUND sentence about how you communicate at school or at work. Use correct punctuation.
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