When we use subordinate clauses (clauses that act like nouns, adjectives, or adverbs) as complements or as modifiers—and when those modifiers can themselves be modified—we sometimes end up with very long and complicated sentences.
Even so, these long sentences can be easy to understand if they’re well put together. All you really need to do is remember a few basic rules.
Related Reading: Understanding Subject Modifiers
So what are the things we are need to consider?
Independent vs. Subordinate Clauses
An independent (or main) clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
A subordinate clause depends on something else in the sentence. It acts like a noun, an adjective, or an adverb. If it’s used that way, it’s subordinate; if not, it’s independent.
Coordinating Clauses
A conjunction joins two or more independent clauses in the same sentence. Coordinating means the clauses are of equal status in a sentence.
Example:
♦ The fire blazed, and the wood crackled. (Two independent clauses joined by and.)
♦ What is your name, and where were you born? (Two Interrogative clauses joined by and.)
♦ Sit down and tell me your story. (Two imperative clauses joined by and.)
Related Reading: How to Use Conditional Sentences
Compound Subordinate Clauses
If two or more subordinate clauses have the same function, we consider them coordinated. (for example, if they’re all adjective clauses or all noun clauses). Together, they form a compound subordinate clause.
♦ Example: The truth is that I have no money and that my friends have left me. (a compound noun clause).
♦ Example: The army, who were armed with long lances, and who showed great skill in using them, made a furious attack on the enemy. (a compound adjective clause).
Coordinate Clauses
Coordinate clauses are usually joined by coordinating conjunctions like and, or, but, etc. If no conjunction appears, you can usually add one without changing the meaning.
♦ Example: The good-natured old gentleman, who was friendly to both parties [AND] who did not lack courage, and who hated a quarrel, spoke frankly.
Depending on Other Subordinate Clauses
A subordinate clause can itself be modified or complemented by another subordinate clause.
♦ Example: The horse shied when he saw the train, which was puffing violently.
First subordinate clause (when he saw the train) modifies shied. The second subordinate clause (which was puffing violently) modifies train.
Together, when he saw the locomotive, which was puffing violently forms a complex adverbial clause (it has its own subordinate clause inside it).
Summing it Up
From these examples, we see that clauses—just like full sentences—can be simple, compound, or complex.
A simple clause has just one subject and one predicate (though either can be compound).
A compound clause is two or more coordinate clauses joined together.
A complex clause is at least two clauses, with one subordinate to the other.
Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences
Every sentence, however long and complicated, belongs (in structure) to one of the three classes,—simple, compound, and complex.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has only one main clause (though the subject, the predicate, or both can be compound). Despite the word simple, it can still contain many modifiers and complements.
♦ Example: You leave Glasgow in a steamboat, go down the Clyde fourteen miles, and then come to Dumbarton Castle, a massive rock with a fortress on top. – Webster
This sentence is simple because it has one subject (you) and a compound predicate (leave, go, come). It also has extra descriptive phrases that make it look long but don’t introduce additional clauses.
♦ Example: He was not interested in risking his comfortable life to become a conspirator, to rely on accomplices, to live in constant fear of arrest, or to possibly end his days in exile.- Macaulay
The sentence seems long because of all the infinitive phrases, but there’s still only one subject (he) and one main verb phrase (was not interested), making it a simple sentence in structure.
Many longer sentences with participles, adjectives, or other phrases are still simple if they only have one main clause overall.
Compound and Complex Sentences
Any sentence that isn’t simple must be either compound or complex.
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses.
A complex sentence has one independent (main) clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Compound Sentences
A typical compound sentence has at least two separate clauses that could each standalone if you split them. They’re usually joined by and, but, or, or a similar coordinating word.
♦ Example: The clock struck two; the candle flickered; the watchman dozed; and everyone else was asleep.
In this example, there are four independent clauses, all equally important and joined by punctuation or conjunctions.
Complex Sentences
A basic complex sentence has one main clause plus one subordinate clause.
♦ Example: The gas exploded when I struck a match.
Main clause: The gas exploded.
Subordinate clause: when I struck a match (adverbial).
Complex sentences can also include more than one subordinate clause, which can lead to a variety of patterns depending on how many clauses there are and how they relate to each other.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A sentence is compound-complex if it has at least two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.
In other words, any compound sentence where one or more of the independent clauses are themselves complex.
♦ Example: Old Uncle Al came out of his door carrying a saw, and he walked along with Phoebe until their paths diverged, but she couldn’t bring herself to outpace him.
There are three independent clauses (joined by and and but). At least one of those clauses has a subordinate clause (until their paths diverged). That makes the entire sentence compound-complex.
Summing it Up
No matter how long or intricate a sentence gets, it ultimately belongs to one of these three structural types:
Simple (one main clause, though it can have a compound subject or predicate, plus modifiers),
Compound (two or more independent clauses), or
Complex (one main clause plus at least one subordinate clause).
If a sentence has both multiple independent clauses and subordinate clauses, we call it a compound-complex sentence (a subset of the compound sentence category).
Different Ways to Build Complex Sentences
Complex sentences grow by adding main or subordinate clauses. One sentence can use both methods.
Compounding the Main Clause
A complex sentence can have a main clause made of two or more coordinate parts, plus one or more subordinate clauses.
♦ Example: When they spotted the ship, they shouted for joy and some of them burst into tears. (The subordinate clause is when they spotted the ship – adverbial).
Adding More Subordinate Clauses
You can have multiple subordinate clauses attached to the main clause, each acting on its own (e.g., as distinct adjective or adverb clauses).
♦ Example: The bridge, which had been weakened by ice, fell with a crash while the train was crossing it.
There are two subordinate clauses here: an adjective clause (which had been weakened by ice) and an adverb clause (while the train was crossing it).
Creating Compound Subordinate Clauses
Sometimes, several subordinate clauses do the exact same job—like multiple noun clauses that are part of the same construction.
♦ Example: The guide told us that the road was impassable, that the river was flooding, and that the bridge had been destroyed.
Three coordinate that-clauses, all acting as objects of told.
Successive Subordination
In some sentences, each new subordinate clause hangs off the last one, forming a “chain” of dependent clauses.
♦ Example: I met a kind old gentleman who was born in the village where my parents lived before they moved to America.
Who was born in the village modifies gentleman.
Where my parents lived modifies village.
Before they moved to America modifies lived.
Overusing this chain structure can make sentences long and unwieldy, though sometimes writers use it intentionally for style.
Related Reading: Understanding Sentences, Phrases, and Clauses
Key Takeaways
1. Identify Your Clauses: Know the difference between independent (main) clauses and subordinate clauses. This helps you understand if a sentence can stand alone or if it’s relying on another part.
2. Vary Sentence Structures: Use simple, compound, and complex sentences to keep your writing lively. A mix of different sentence types makes your writing more interesting.
3. Don’t Overdo Subordination: Too many subordinate clauses strung together can overwhelm readers. If your sentence starts to feel unruly, split it up or trim extra clauses.
4. Use Coordination Wisely: Coordinate clauses (joined by words like and, or, but) let you combine ideas of equal importance. If one idea is more important than the other, consider making one clause subordinate instead.
5. Keep an Eye on Clarity: Long sentences aren’t automatically bad, but make sure each part is clear. If readers must reread a sentence to “get it,” it might need simplifying.
6. Leverage Modifiers Carefully: Adjective and adverb clauses can add depth, but too many can distract. Choose modifiers that truly enhance your main idea.
7. Avoid Run-On Sentences: Run-ons happen when you join multiple independent clauses without proper punctuation or conjunctions. Break them up, or link them correctly with commas/conjunctions.
8. Balance Length and Brevity: Even a “simple sentence” can be long if you have compound subjects/predicates and modifiers. That’s fine—but ensure it remains coherent.
9. Check for Parallel Structures: In lists or compound clauses (like “that I… that I…”), use the same structure to create a smooth, consistent flow.
10. Read Your Work Aloud: Listening to your sentences can reveal awkward spots, especially when clauses pile up. If you trip over your words, consider revising for clarity.
Last Words on Combining Clauses
Simple = only one independent clause (though it can be “expanded” with phrases and compound parts).
Compound = multiple independent clauses.
Complex = one independent clause + at least one subordinate clause.
Compound-Complex = at least two independent clauses + at least one subordinate clause.
By keeping track of whether a clause can stand alone or if it relies on another part of the sentence (and by noticing if clauses are coordinating or subordinate), you can untangle even the most involved sentences.
Happy writing!
Linda
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