In the English language, based on the type and the number of clauses present, sentences can be classified into simple, compound, or complex.
The kind of sentence that includes one main clause (an independent clause) and no less than one (one or more) subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) can be called a complex sentence. In order to connect these clauses together, we take the help of conjunctions.
With the aid of various interesting facts and examples, we shall discuss in detail how, why, and when conjunctions are used in complex sentences.
When conjunctions are used in complex sentence
Now that we know conjunctions are used in complex sentences, we will get to know when these conjunctions are used.
The part of speech, conjunctions is utilized in complex sentences to join or associate the independent clause (main clause) and the dependent clause (subordinate clause). It should also be noted that these conjunctions are the ones that introduce the subordinate clauses to the main clause.
| Serial Number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1 | While Sidhanth likes indoor games, I prefer outdoor games. | “While” is the conjunction that is used in the above complex sentence. It is used to join the main clause(independent clause) ‘I prefer outdoor games’ and the subordinate clause (dependent clause) ‘while Sidhanth likes indoor games’. Here, the conjunction “while” is placed at the beginning of the sentence as the subordinate clause comes before the main clause. “While” is utilized to introduce the subordinate clause. |
| 2 | Ruhi was late to school because she missed her bus. | “Because” is the conjunction that is used in the above complex sentence. It is used to join the main clause(independent clause) ‘Ruhi was late to school’ and the subordinate clause (dependent clause) ‘because she missed her bus’, by introducing the subordinate clause. Here, the conjunction “because” is placed at the middle of the sentence as the subordinate clause comes after the main clause. |
What types of conjunctions are used in complex sentence
Of the types of conjunctions in the English language, we will here explore what type of conjunctions is used to connect clauses in a complex sentence.
In complex sentences, only one type of conjunctions is used to connect the main clause and the subordinate clause(s). It is the subordinating conjunctions that are used to connect the dependent clauses with an independent clause in a complex sentence.
| Serial Number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1 | We can go to the park if you are free in the evening. | The conjunction that is utilized in the above complex sentence is “if”. “If” is a subordinating conjunction which introduces the subordinate clause ‘if you are free in the evening’ and connects it with the main clause ‘we can go to the park’. |
| 2 | Even though she had many family issues, she concentrated on her studies because she wanted to support her family financially. | The subordinating conjunctions used in the above sentence are “even though” and “because”. The subordinating conjunction “even though” is used at the beginning of the sentence as it is introducing the dependent clause (subordinate clause) ‘even though she had many family issues’. “Because” is the subordinate conjunction that is placed at the middle of the sentence and introduces yet another subordinate clause ‘because she wanted to support her family financially’. Thus, “even though” and “because” are the two subordinate conjunctions that are used here to connect the two subordinate clauses with the main clause (independent clause) ‘she concentrated on her studies’. |
Examples of conjunctions in complex sentences
We shall get to know more about the usage of various subordinating conjunctions in complex sentences with examples and related explanations.
The example sentences are as follows.
| Serial Number | Examples | Explanations |
| 1 | Although we played very well, we lost the match. | Main Clause: we lost the match Subordinate Clause: although we played very much Subordinating Conjunction: although |
| 2 | Priya loves this watch as it was a gift from her father. | Main Clause: Priya loves this watch Subordinate Clause: as it was a gift from her father Subordinating Conjunction: as |
| 3 | Sunil left the house as soon as he received the call because it was an important call. | Main Clause: Sunil left the house Subordinate Clauses: a. as soon as he received the call b. because it was an important call. Subordinating Conjunctions: as soon as, because |
| 4 | Until I achieve my goal, I am going to work hard. | Main Clause: I am going to work hard Subordinate Clause: until achieve my goal Subordinating Conjunction: until |
| 5 | Since it is a weekend, we planned to go for a movie. | Main Clause: we planned to go for a movie Subordinate Clause: since it is a weekend Subordinating Conjunction: since |
| 6 | My grandmother used to prepare sweets once I went to her home since I love sweets. | Main Clause: my grandmother used to prepare sweets Subordinate Clauses: a. once I went to her home b. since I love sweets. Subordinating Conjunctions: once, since |
| 7 | Now that you understood the basics of coding, we shall move on to data structure. | Main Clause: we shall move on to data structure Subordinate Clause: now that you understood the basics of coding Subordinating Conjunction: now that |
When conjunctions are not used in complex sentence
In some complex sentences, subordinate clauses and main clause are linked with another part of speech other than a conjunction. Here, we shall see that in detail.
Conjunctions are not used in complex sentences, when the subordinate clause(s) linked with the main clause is / are relative clause(s).
Example: The boy, who is standing on the stage, is my younger brother.
Main clause: The boy is my younger brother
Subordinate clause (relative clause): who is standing on the stage
In the above sentence, no conjunction is used to connect the main clause (independent clause) and the subordinate clause.
How conjunctions are not used in complex sentence
Let us here get to know how the clauses are connected in a complex sentence without the use of conjunctions.
A relative clause is nothing but a type of subordinating clause. In a complex sentence, in order to connect or join a relative clause to the main clause, we do not use conjunctions, but we use relative pronouns.
Example: The book, which is on that table, is very interesting.
Main clause: The book is very interesting
Subordinate clause (relative clause): which is on that table
Relative pronoun: which
In this sentence, it is the relative pronoun ‘which’ that connects the dependent clause (relative clause) to the independent clause and not a conjunction.
Examples of complex sentences without conjunctions
Now we know that complex sentences can exist even without conjunctions, let us explore a few examples.
The table below depicts a few examples of complex sentences without conjunctions.
| Serial Number | Examples | Explanation |
| 1 | Piyush, whom you met at the party, is an MBA graduate. | Main Clause: Piyush is an MBA graduate Subordinate Clause (relative clause): whom you met at the party Relative Pronoun: whom |
| 2 | The boy, whose mother is a teacher, scores the highest mark. | Main Clause: The boy scores the highest mark Subordinate Clause (relative clause): whose mother is a teacher Relative Pronoun: whose |
| 3 | Whenever you visit India, you can come and meet us. | Main Clause: you can come and meet us Subordinate Clause (relative clause): whenever you visit India Relative Pronoun: whenever |
Conclusion
This article thus explains in detail the role that conjunctions play in the formation of complex sentences.
Hi… I am Sowndharya Jagadeeswaran, a university rank holder in M.A. English Literature. I have also done my master’s in Business Administration. Inquisitive as I am, my interest in action-oriented research helped me publish research papers in reputed journals. Now, as a career, I am an instructor where I teach young and adorable students the intricate technicalities of Public Speaking and Creative Writing. I also enjoy writing articles on topics I specialize and research in.
You can connect with me through LinkedIn.-