Hello! I'm Elizabeth O'Brien, and my goal is to get you jazzed about grammar.

The Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence is made up of a compound sentence and a complex sentence.

I would say these guys are properly named, wouldn't you?

The compound part of the equation means that the sentence has two (or more) independent clauses.
The complex part of the equation means that the sentence has at least one subordinate clause.

Compound-Complex Sentence Diagram www.GrammarRevolution.com/compound-complex-sentence.html

If you need a refresher on compound sentences or complex sentences, click on the links and check them out. Let's analyze an example sentence and see if it has what it takes!

I would have purchased the cheese that you like, but it was too expensive.

I would have purchased the cheese = independent clause

that you like = dependent adjective clause modifying cheese

it was too expensive = independent clause
It works! This sentence has what it takes to be compound-complex. Let's look at some more examples.

Compound-Complex Sentence That Includes A Dependent Adjective Clause

I would have purchased the cheese that you like, but it was too expensive.

You're already a pro at this sentence because we checked it out at the top of the page, but I want to show you how to diagram it. If you're new to sentence diagramming, the diagram is probably going to look overwhelming and scary. Try not to bite your fingernails as you look at it.

Sentence diagrams can help you understand sentence structure, and if you learn with either of my beginner step-by-step programs, you'll be a pro with this kind of diagram.

That you like is a dependent adjective clause modifying the noun cheese. Look at the diagram. Do you see how that you like is connected to cheese? That shows you that it's modifying cheese. Isn't that neat?

Compound-Complex Sentence That Includes A Dependent Noun Clause

Rachael Ray explained how cookies are made, and we practiced her techniques at home.

Dependent noun clauses are kind of complicated. Because they function as nouns and can do any of the noun jobs, they are often an integral part of independent clauses. That's the case with this example. The dependent noun clause is the direct object of the verb explained.

Rachael Ray explained (how cookies are made) = independent clause

how cookies are made = dependent noun clause

we practiced her techniques at home = independent clause

Compound-Complex Sentence That Includes A Dependent Adverb Clause

We had a party because we had lots of cookies, and our guests ate the yummy treats.

We had a party = independent clause

because we had lots of cookies = dependent adverb clause modifying had

our guests ate the yummy treats = independent clause

Other Helpful Resources

Compound Complex Sentence Explanation & Worksheet - PDF

Elizabeth O'Brien from Grammar Revolution

If you don't want to teach or learn grammar by yourself, click here to see how I can help you.

Would you like
to keep in touch?

My freshman class has excelled using your method!

- Chuck, Classroom Teacher

I am loving the Get Smart program! My eighth graders are grasping grammar better than I've ever seen. I intend to continue using this every year!

- Ann, Classroom Teacher

We ordered all of your books, and we are loving them! My 12 year old son is racing through the lessons in the Get Smart program. He loves sentence diagramming. Thanks for making grammar fun and interesting.

- Denise, Homeschooler

If you want to teach or learn grammar the easy way, follow our step-by-step program that clearly lays everything out and allows you to move at your own pace. The Get Smart Grammar Program is presented in a logical sequence, so it's not an overwhelming mishmash of information. Just watch the videos and complete your assignments. Before you know it, you'll be a grammar and sentence diagramming pro!