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).
Here are some examples of compound-complex sentences:
(This was written in 2012.)
If Barack Obama is re-elected this November, he’ll serve another four years, but it won’t be an easy contest to win.
independent cause: he’ll serve another four years
independent cause: it won’t be an easy contest to win.
Dependent clause: If Barack Obama is re-elected this November,
Even though he prefers to eat with a fork, he chooses to use chopsticks in Chinese restaurants; however, they aren’t easy to use.
independent clause: he chooses to use chopsticks in Chinese restaurants
independent clause: they aren’t easy to use.
dependent clause: Even though he prefers to eat with a fork
I usually use a pickwhenever I play the guitar, or I just use my fingers.
Watch this video:
In the next lesson, we’ll learn about noun clauses.
