Complex Sentences

Simple Sentence - Contains one complete subject and one complete predicate; also known as a main clause.

Compound Sentence - Contains two or more simple sentences, separated by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, etc.), by a semicolon, or by a semicolon, a conjunctive adverb (also, moreover, however, therefore, likewise, etc.), and a comma.

Complex Sentence - Contains one simple sentence and at least one subordinate clause.

Main Clause - Contains a subject and predicate and is a complete thought; also known as simple sentence and independent clause.

Subordinate Clause - Contains a subject and predicate but does not express a complete thought and usually begins with a relative pronoun or a subordinating conjuction; also known as dependent clause.

> Adjective Clause - Modifies/describes a noun or pronoun and usually begins with a relative pronoun. Adjective clauses can be essential clauses (required to make the meaning of the sentence clear) or nonessential clauses.

> > Relative Pronouns
that, which, who, whom, whose, what, whoever, also sometimes where & when

> Adverb Clause - Modifies/describes a verb or adjective and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction.

> > Subordinating Conjunctions
after, although, as, because, before, if, since, than, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever

> Noun Clause - A clause (group of related words) used as a noun. They usually begin with how, however, that, what, whatever, whose, why, where, wherever, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever, when.