A compound-complex sentence is made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Some examples:

1. Although I like to go camping, I haven't had the time to go lately, and I haven't found anyone to go with.

independent clause: "I haven't had the time to go lately"

independent clause: "I haven't found anyone to go with"

dependent clause: "Although I like to go camping... "

* * * * * * * * * *

 2. We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.

independent clause: "We decided that the movie was too violent"

independent clause: "(but) our children thought that we were wrong"

dependent clause: who like to watch scary movies

Compound-complex sentences are very common in English, but one mistake that students often make is to try to write them without having mastered the simple sentences, compound sentences, and complex sentences first.

If this is a confusing lesson, return to it later after completing the next three lessons (Lessons Six, Seven, and Eight).

If Barack Obama is the nominee for the Democratic Party, he'll run against John McCain, but it won't be an easy contest to win.

independent cause: he'll run against John McCain

independent cause: it won't be an easy contest to win.

Dependent clause: If Barack Obama is the nominee for the Democratic Party

I usually use a pick whenever I play the guitar, or I just use my fingers.