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Here, we have two simple sentences
that be joined together with a coordinating conjunction.
Here, we have an independent clause
followed by a comma,
a coordinating conjunction,
and another independent clause.
A compound sentence can also be created with a transitional expression.
In this sentence,we beging with an independent clause,
followed by a semi-colon,
a transitional expression,
a comma,
and a second independent clause.
Here we have two simple sentences.
These simple sentences can be combined into a complex sentence.
Here, we have an independent clause
followed by a subordinating conjunction,
and the rest of the dependent clause.
Notice that in this type of complex sentence,
no comma is needed.
In a complex sentence,
the dependent clause and the independent clause can be switched around.
Here, we begin with a subordinating conjunction,
and the rest of the dependent clause,
followed by a comma,
and the independent clause.
These two sentences
can be combined combined into one compound- complex sentence.
In this sentence, we have a compound sentence,
and we have a complex sentence.
Altogether, we have a compound-complex sentence.
In this sentence, we have reversed the order
of the dependent clause and the independent clause.
The sentence still has the elements of a compound sentence,
and the sentence still has the elements of a complex sentence.
This sentence has a different subordinating conjunction,
and a different coordinating conjunction
than the previous sentence,
but the meaning of this sentence is the same as the meaning of the previous sentence.
This sentence has the elements of a complex sentence:
and it has the elements of a compound sentence:
A common mistake writers make when creating compound-complex sentences
is throwing in extra coordinating conjunctions
as in this sentence:
Here, the coordinating conjunction but is distracting to readers.
Let's take a look at some more compound- complex sentences.
Here, we have three simple sentences:
These three simple sentences can be joined into one compound-complex sentence:
This sentence has the elements of a compound sentence:
This sentence also has the elements of a complex sentence:
This sentence can also be written with the dependent clause beginning the sentence.
Or, the subordinating conjunction could be changed.
Here is a compound-complex sentence with two dependent clauses:
Here is one complex sentence:
Here is another complex sentence:
And, here is a compound sentence:
Altogether, we have a compound-complex sentence.
With clauses switched around, we can create a sentence of the same meaning:
This sentence replaces a subordinating conjunction with a transitional expression
to create the same meaning.
This sentence keeps all elements intact
but changes the order of a couple clauses.
Can you notice the small change in this sentence?
The change is here:
The highlighted portion of the sentence
alone
is a complex sentence.
Can you see the difference here?
The highlighted portion
alone
is a compound-complex sentence.
While the top sentence begins
with two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction,
the bottom sentence begins
with an independent clause
that has two verbs joined by a coordinating conjunction.
This difference is highlighted
to demonstrate the fact
that sentences can be constructed in a large variety of ways.
Let's take a look at changing the subordinating conjunction
to create a slightly different meaning
in the sentence.
In this sentence, you'll see that the transitional expression
has been replaced by a subordinating conjunction
and the order of a couple clauses
has been switched around.
Look at this sentence carefully.
Is it a complound-complex sentence
like the rest of them have been?
This sentence begins with a dependent clause,
the dependent clause is followed by an independent clause,
and the sentence ends with another dependent clause.
This sentence is not a compound-complex sentence
because it has only one independent clause.
In other words,
there is no compound sentence
within the sentence.
On the other hand,
this sentence is a compound-complex sentence:
This is a compound-complex sentence
because unlike the previous sentence,
this sentence has two independent clauses in it.
In other words, it has a compound sentence in it.
Notice that when you use the coordinating conjunction nor
to join independent clauses
the helping verb and the subject
of the second independent clause
reverse order.
This only happens with the coordinating conjunction nor.
Remember to use your sentence joining chart
to help create compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.