Compound-complex sentences are sentences that contain two or more independent clauses (clauses that can stand on their own as a complete sentence) and one or more dependent clauses (clauses that cannot stand on their own as a complete sentence). They are used to convey multiple main ideas with additional information or detail.

Definition

A compound-complex sentence is a type of sentence that contains two or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses. It is used to convey multiple main ideas with additional information or detail.

Usage

Compound-complex sentences are used to convey multiple main ideas with additional information or detail. They are typically used to combine multiple main ideas and add detail or context to those ideas.

Examples

• “I am going to the store to pick up some milk, but I also need to buy bread because we’re out of bread.” (This sentence conveys two main ideas: the speaker is going to the store to pick up milk and the speaker needs to buy bread, with the additional detail that they are out of bread.)
• “The sun is shining today, and the weather is warm, but it was supposed to rain according to the forecast.” (This sentence conveys two main ideas: the sun is shining and the weather is warm, with the additional detail that it was supposed to rain according to the forecast.)
• “I have a meeting at 10 AM, which means I need to finish my presentation before then, but I also need to print out copies for everyone attending.” (This sentence conveys two main ideas: the speaker has a meeting at a specific time and the speaker needs to finish their presentation before then, with the additional detail that the speaker needs to print out copies for everyone attending.)
• “I think pizza is the best food in the world, even though some people might disagree because it has so many topping options.” (This sentence conveys two main ideas: the cat is sleeping on the couch and the dog is lying on the floor, with the additional detail that the speaker has to be quiet because their roommate is sleeping in the bedroom.)