II. Building Compound and Complex Sentences

1.0 Compound Sentences: Joining Two Independent Clauses

1. In the paragraphs below, underline the coordinating conjunctions that join independent clauses.  Double underline the coordinating conjunctions that join only words or phrases.
    
   A Short Biography of Nikola Tesla
    
   Nikola Tesla did more to advance our understanding of electricity than any other person in the history of humanity.  He had an incredible understanding of physics and engineering and had studied physics and engineering, yet he never finished a degree in these subjects.
    
   Telsa was born in Croatia to his parents, Milutin and Duka, in 1856.  His father was a priest in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and his mother’s father was also a priest of the same Eastern Orthodox Church.  When he was a child, he studied German, math, and religion.  He developed an interest in electricity by watching one of his professors conduct experiments in class.
    
   He was highly creative and built an electric motor that worked with alternating current, and he also drew up plans for a ‘flying machine’.  He eventually moved to New York, and he began working for Thomas Edison, who invented the first practical light bulb.  However, the methods that Edison and Tesla used were very different, so Telsa and Edison eventually went their separate ways.  Edison used ‘direct current’ in his electrical systems, but Edison used ‘alternating current’.
    
   Edison also discovered X-rays, and he later used radio waves to build a wireless broadcasting tower.  He worked on other projects, including turbines, a remote-control boat and man-made lightening.
    
2. Decide on the relationship of the ideas in the two clauses below, then add the correct coordinating conjunction in the blank in each sentence.  Tesla hoped to send pictures over radio waves, but a financial crash and other misfortunes at the time prevented him from completing this.
    
   Use: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
    
   1. Mateo missed three days of class,                       he was sick.
   2. Jan was frustrated by his boss’s lack of support,                       he confronted him during a meeting.
   3. Nanami was usually very busy,                       she always found time to help her friends.
   4. Sofie did not always come on time,                       did she show an interest in the work.
   5. Alessi was very good at math,                       she was also good at physics.
   6. Filip couldn’t sleep,                       he was worried about his exam the next day.
   7. Filip didn’t like vegetables very much,                       he ate them for his health.
   8. Emre was very good at writing,                       he always tried to avoid it.
   9. Rama could choose a career in management,                       he could go in the direction of training workers.
   10. Jakub was not afraid,                       was he unwilling to try new things.
   11. Juan and Rosa worked hard at their dance lessons,                       they were soon winning dance competitions in their region.
   12. Thomasa played the guitar,                       he also played drums.
   13. Fatma was expected to win the tennis tournament,                       she somehow came in last.

    

3. When you use the Coordinating Conjunctions ‘but’ and ‘yet’, they both show that the clauses that they join are opposite or different from each other.  However, ‘yet’ has an additional meaning in that the clause that is opposite to the first was not expected to be the result.
    
   Example: She was rich, yet she drove a cheap, old car.
   • Usually, when someone is rich, we expect them to drive an expensive car, but here the second clause shows that it is opposite to that expectation—she drives a cheap, old car.

    
   Fill in the blanks with either ‘but’ or ‘yet’.
    

   1. Jakub was very good at soccer,                his parents pressured him to focus on his studies.
   2. Alessi found university to be very difficult,                she always got good grades.
   3. Rama thought that he was taking the highway to Seattle,                he was actually on the wrong road.
   4. William was a very good driver,                he seemed to get into accidents frequently.
   5. Sofie wanted to have Chinese food for dinner,                she decided on Vietnamese food instead.
   6. Isabella loves to sing,                she also plays guitar.
   7. Mateo is a very friendly person,                people don’t seem to like him.

    

4. Join the following clauses with one of the Coordinating Conjunctions.  The clauses may not be in the correct order, so be sure to put the clauses in the correct order first.  With some sentences, there may be two possible answers.  Be sure to capitalize the first word at the beginning of the sentence and add a period at the end.  Also, add a comma after the first clause in the sentence.
    
   1. Juana was usually at work by 6:00 a.m.
      she got a lot of work done before others showed up.
   2. He was usually not well-liked
      he was quite arrogant.
   3. He was a little late.
      Luis had problems on the freeway this morning
   4. he never combed his hair
      Sebastion was always well-dressed
   5. His new car was very elegant and fancy
      it didn’t get very good gas mileage.
   6. before the meeting she had to quickly print it out again
      her report got soaked in the rain on the way to work
   7. I also like to go to the festivities of other cultures.
      I enjoy eating at different ethnic restaurants
   8. the cities of Tokyo and New York both have huge populations
      the city of Tokyo has far less violent crime.
   9. should you listen to someone’s private conversation.
      you should not walk between two people who are talking in Japan
   10. he might have lost his wallet (it)
       his wallet (it) could have gotten stolen.

    

5. Complete the sentences using each of the Coordinating Conjunctions.
    
   1. She was very poor in university,                                                                  (so)
   2. Ahmed didn’t speak English when he moved to England                                                                  (and)
   3. Jared looked for a job for two months,                                                                  (but)
   4. Jason had never left his own country                                                                  (nor)
   5. Akira had never been to Korea                                                                  (but)

    
   Write your own complete sentences using the Coordinating Conjunctions that follow.
    

   6.                                                                                                                                                           (yet)
   7.                                                                                                                                                           (so)
   8.                                                                                                                                                           (but)
   9.                                                                                                                                                           (or)
   10.                                                                                                                                                           (for)

2.0 Complex Sentences: Joining an Independent Clause to a Dependent Clause

2.1 Common Subordinating Clauses and their Meanings

2.1.1 Time

1. Choose the correct Subordinating Conjunction of time from the list to go in the blanks below.
    
   (while, before, after, when, until, since)
    
   1. People have been travelling on jet planes                       the first jet airliner was put into service in 1949.
   2.                       the first supersonic jet liner, the Concord, was invented, it would take around nine hours to fly from New York to London.  With the Concord, people could make the trip in around 3 hours.
   3. Passengers must listen to a safety presentation                       an airliner takes off.
   4.                       a jet takes off, the landing gear is pulled up into the fuselage.
   5.                       they are on a long journey on an airplane, airline companies often serve meals to the passengers.
   6.                       an airplane hits severe air turbulence, some passengers get sick.

    

2. Join the two clauses and add the indicated subordinating conjunction of time to connect them.  Be sure to attach the conjunction to the correct clause and add a comma in the correct place if needed.
    
   1. Most people start a new business.  They need to borrow money for start-up costs.  (when)
   2. Someone applies for a business loan at a bank.  They need to develop a sound business plan.  (before)
   3. They are waiting to hear if their business loan has been approved.  Most potential entrepreneurs are waiting anxiously to see if their dream will be realized.  (while)
   4. There is much to be done before a business can open.  Their business loan has been approved. (after)
   5. The time that a business plan is developed.  Until the time that the business opens can be many years.  (since)
   6. You actually open your business.  You can’t possibly know everything that will be needed.  (until)

    

3. Finish the sentences with either an independent clause or a dependent clause of time.  When writing dependent clauses of time, you must use the subordinating conjunction of time in the brackets.  Note that some dependent clauses of time already have a subordinating conjunction of time.
    
   1. Since the first wheel was invented,                                          .
   2.                                           the earthquake happened.  (after)
   3.                                           until she finished the movie.
   4. When Karna opened her gift,                                          .
   5.                                          , she slowly started to relax.  (while)
   6.                                          , you must call your mother.  (before)

2.1.2 Cause/Effect

1. Choose the correct Subordinating Conjunction of cause/effect from the list to go in the blanks below.
    
   (now that, as, since, because, in order that, so, so that)
    
   1.                       she had arrived in Paris, Emre was excited to see the famous Louvre Museum.
   2.                       the lake was frozen over, Jan and his friends decided to go skating.
   3.                       Fatima could travel to Bulgaria, she had to change trains five times.
   4. Riko bought a rail pass when she arrived in Italy                       she could travel to most of the famous places.
   5.                       it was so hot and humid in India, Adam had to buy a few new cooler shirts when he arrived.
   6. Maria was overwhelmed when she moved to San Paolo,                       she actually came from a small town.

    

2. Join the two clauses and add the indicated subordinating conjunction of cause/effect to connect them.  Be sure to attach the conjunction to the correct clause and add a comma in the correct place if needed.  There is a blank in front of each clause so that you do not need to write out the entire sentence.  In the correct blank, simply add the correct subordinating conjunction and a comma, if necessary.  Capitalize the first letter of the sentence if there is no conjunction at the beginning of the sentence.
    
   1.                       in university in the US, some professors want students to call them by their first names                       they believe that their authority should not be used to intimidate students.  (since)
   2.                       in Japan, university may not be seen as the most important thing for your career                       companies or organizations often train their employees extensively.   (because)
   3.                       students can graduate with a Bachelor’s degree within four years                       many of them are taking summer courses.  (so that)
   4.                       there is more of an emphasis on practical knowledge in American universities                       students are often given assignments that are applied to the world outside of the university.  (now that)
   5.                       theoretical knowledge is regarded as important in European and Mexican universities                       students may do more reading in classical literature than in other universities.  (as)
   6.                       many companies want their employees to be able to do research                       many students are required to be involved in research together with her professors in university.   (because)

    

3. Finish the cause/effect sentences with either an independent clause or a dependent clause.
    
   1. Because he had been travelling for two weeks,                                                                 .  
   2. He couldn’t find an apartment close to his school, so                                                                 .
   3. As the bank was not opened on the weekend,                                                                 .
   4. Now that Diego had recovered from his virus,                                                                 .
   5. Since the requirements to become an accountant had changed while Juana was in university,                                                                 .
   6. Merve (she) bought three tickets to the concert so that                                                                 .

2.1.3 Opposition

1. Choose a Subordinating Conjunction of opposition from the list to go in the blanks below.  There could be more than one possible answer for some of them.
    
   (although, though, even though, whereas, while)
    
   1.                       some people are skeptical of the idea that your brain works at night, research shows that it often works to solve problems while you are sleeping.
   2. The energy in your muscles is derived from adenosine triphosphate (ATP).                        your brain runs on glucose.
   3.                       ATP is long-lasting energy, glucose gets used up quite quickly.
   4.                       many people work very hard, they are sometimes inefficient and don’t get much done.
   5.                       long hours of studying can help you, short bursts of intense study may be more effective.

    

2. Join the two clauses and add the indicated subordinating conjunction of cause/effect to connect them.  Be sure to attach the conjunction to the correct clause and add a comma in the correct place if needed.  There is a blank in front of each clause so that you do not need to write out the entire sentence.  In the correct blank (the one that takes the conjunction), simply add the correct subordinating conjunction and a comma, if necessary.  Capitalize the first letter of the sentence if there is no conjunction at the beginning of the sentence.
    
   1.                       autocratic leaders can make an organization respond very quickly to markets                       there is a potential for serious mistakes to be made without the input of their employees.  (while)
   2.                       an organization with a leader who follows the ‘Servant Leadership’ model may have difficulty in moving everyone in the same direction when needed                       they often have high employee satisfaction and good will.  (even though)
   3.                       autocratic leaders usually do not take the ideas of their employees seriously                       in a democratic leadership style, employees’ ideas are encouraged, leading to many innovative ideas.  (whereas)
   4.                       a transformational leader can inspire their employees with a sense of purpose                       employees may become too dependent on their leader for motivation.  (though)
   5.                       in an organization with a Laissez-Faire style leader, employees may feel that management expectations are not clear                       the employees in an organization with a transactional style leader knows exactly what is required of them.  (while)
   6.                       an organization with a democratic leadership style may lack the speed needed to operate in a highly competitive business environment                       when they do move forward, their strategy is usually effective.  (although)

    

3. Finish the cause/effect sentences with either an independent clause or a dependent clause.
    
   1. Although he was completely exhausted at the end of the semester                                                                                  
   2. Even though his favorite football team won                                                                                  
   3. While Marianna was quite outgoing and friendly                                                                                  
   4. Though Raul had spent so much money on making his apartment luxurious                                                                                  
   5. Make your own sentence:
                                                                                                                                                                        .
   6. Make your own sentence:
                                                                                                                                                                        

2.1.4 Condition: A Cause/Effect Relationship

1. Choose a Subordinating Conjunction of condition from the list to go in the blanks below.  There could be more than one possible answer for some of them.
    
   (if, unless, even if, whether or not, only if, in case (that))
    
   1.                       we will be able to keep global warming under 2^o Celsius may depend on whether certain climate ‘tipping points’ can be avoided.
   2. There is a danger that the Atlantic Meridional ocean current could shut down                       we are able to keep global warming under 2^o Celcius.
   3. We will see more and more crop failures throughout the world                       we move more quickly to address climate change.
   4.                       there is a continuing drought in many countries, food prices will become unaffordable for many, even for countries with a strong economy.
   5. Many people will become malnourished (even in developed countries)                       food security is not given more attention.
   6.                       food security is addressed will the possibility of world conflict be kept to a minimum.

    

2. Join the two clauses and add the indicated subordinating conjunction of condition to connect them.  Be sure to attach the conjunction to the correct clause and add a comma in the correct place if needed.  There is a blank in front of each clause so that you do not need to write out the entire sentence.  In the correct blank, simply add the correct subordinating conjunction and a comma, if necessary.  Capitalize the first letter of the sentence if there is no conjunction at the beginning of the sentence.
    
   1.                       climate change is addressed as an emergency                       will depend on international leadership instead of political games.  (whether or not)
   2.                       we will be able to avoid severe shortages of food and other goods                       countries work together.  (only if)
   3.                       we are addressing climate change more urgently and immediately                       countries will still need to spend more and more on natural disasters such as floods over the next decades.  (even if)
   4.                       countries will need to prepare to deal with persistent price inflation                       we keep seeing natural disasters continue to happen.  (in case)
   5.                       we may be able to avoid the worst impacts of climate change                       the trend of increasing development of clean energy continues at the current rate.  (if)
   6.                       people are willing to adopt new clean energy solutions                       it doesn’t matter what is available.  (unless)

    

3. Finish the cause/effect sentences with either an independent clause or a dependent clause.
    
   1. If I could afford an electric vehicle                                                                 
   2. Even if I wanted to buy an electric vehicle                                                                 
   3. Unless I live close to public transportation                                                                 
   4. Whether or not my country invests in clean energy                                                                 
   5. Only if I can afford an electric vehicle                                                                 
   6. In case I can’t take public transportation to work                                                                 

Exercises

1. Identify elements of compound and complex sentences and add appropriate punctuation (commas).
    
   First, underline the conjunction, either Coordinating or Subordinating, in each sentence.
    
   Then, in the blank on the left, identify whether the sentence is a compound sentence (c) or a complex sentence (cx).
    
   Next, if it is a complex sentence, put the dependent clause /between slashes/.  The dependent clause has a subordinating conjunction as part of the clause rather than being physically independent of either clause, as is the case with Coordinating Conjunctions.
    
   Finally, if the dependent clause in a complex sentence comes first in the sentence, add a comma after the dependent clause.  If the sentence is a compound sentence, be sure to add a comma after the first independent clause but before the Coordinating Conjunction.
    
   Examples:
   •   cx   /After the private company Space X was able to re-use its first rockets by landing them safely back on earth/, it was able to send a rocket to the International Space Station.
   •   c   Space X was able to re-use its first rockets by landing them safely back on earth, and it was also able to send a rocket to the International Space Station.

    

   1.             The Russians were the first to send a rocket into space in 1957 but the Americans were the first to land astronauts on the moon.
   2.             While the Americans were the first to send a dog into space the Russians sent the first person into space.
   3.             After the Americans launched the space shuttle, Columbia, into space in 1981 the Russians followed with their own shuttle, the Buran, in 1988.
   4.             The first module of the International Space Station was sent to space by the Russians and the United States sent the second module shortly after.
   5.             The space station was delivered as separate parts (modules) so they had to be assembled in space using astronauts and a robotic arm, the ‘Canadarm2’.
   6.             China sent its first human into space in 1988 and it landed its first probe on the moon in 2013.
   7.             China’s landed its first probe to the moon in 2013 before they landed a lunar rover (vehicle) on the far side of the moon in 2019.
   8.             Apollo 11 was successful in landing the first people on the moon yet just two missions later, Apollo 13 had to return without landing on the moon.
   9.             Because of the failure of an oxygen tank on Apollo 13 it had to return to earth without landing on the moon.
   10.             Mamoru Mohri was the first male Japanese astronaut in space and Mukai Chiaki was the first female Japanese astronaut.
   11.             When the first Canadian, Marc Garneau, went to space his two children just thought he was going to Disney World.
   12.             India’s first lunar rover explored the South Pole of the moon after China’s first lunar rover explored the far side of the moon.
   13.             While the first rover to land on Mars was the American ‘Sojourner’ no human has yet landed on Mars.
   14.             If the private company, Space X, is able to land people and build a colony on the moon in a joint program with NASA it hopes to send people to Mars someday.

    

2. Join two clauses with the Subordinating Conjunction that follows the two clauses.  Add commas and appropriate conjunctions in the correct place to sentences with two clauses.  First, write them with the independent clause first in the sentence, and then write them with the dependent clause first in the sentence.
    
   Example:
   1. We will watch a movie.   We will eat dinner.  (after)
      • We will watch a movie after we eat dinner.
      • After we eat dinner, we will watch a movie.

    

   1. Yolanta is careful with her money.  Her husband is not.  (while)
   2. A violent earthquake caused a tsunami in Japan.  The Fukushima nuclear plant was damaged. (because)
   3. I take notes in class.  I always check them and complete them.   (after)
   4. You travel to a new city and don’t know where you are.  You can use GPS to find your location.  (if)
   5. Canada increased its immigration targets in July 2022.  Its population increased by over one million people by the next year.  (when)
   6. Bruce bought a new car.  He wouldn’t need to keep paying repair bills.  (so that)
   7. It didn’t rain all summer last year.   Many trees began to die.  (so)