Worksheet for creating complex sentences from simple ones, featuring a sailing illustration.

Solution to "Creating Complex Sentences" Worksheet

The goal of this worksheet is to transform simple sentences into complex sentences. A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause (a clause that cannot stand alone). Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like *because, although, since, if, when, while, even though*, etc.

Let’s go through each sentence and turn it into a complex sentence by adding a dependent clause.

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#### 1. Pete is a very advanced reader.
> Complex Sentence:
> *Pete is a very advanced reader because he reads three books every week.*

- Independent Clause: Pete is a very advanced reader.
- Dependent Clause: because he reads three books every week.

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#### 2. Ann doesn’t like broccoli.
> Complex Sentence:
> *Ann doesn’t like broccoli because it tastes bitter to her.*

- Independent Clause: Ann doesn’t like broccoli.
- Dependent Clause: because it tastes bitter to her.

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#### 3. I forgot to bring my book.
> Complex Sentence:
> *I forgot to bring my book because I was in a hurry this morning.*

- Independent Clause: I forgot to bring my book.
- Dependent Clause: because I was in a hurry this morning.

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#### 4. I ate two donuts.
> Complex Sentence:
> *I ate two donuts because I was very hungry after school.*

- Independent Clause: I ate two donuts.
- Dependent Clause: because I was very hungry after school.

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#### 5. I don’t like hockey.
> Complex Sentence:
> *I don’t like hockey because it’s too fast and loud for me.*

- Independent Clause: I don’t like hockey.
- Dependent Clause: because it’s too fast and loud for me.

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#### 6. Ryan has a boat.
> Complex Sentence:
> *Ryan has a boat so he can go fishing on weekends.*

- Independent Clause: Ryan has a boat.
- Dependent Clause: so he can go fishing on weekends.

*(Note: “so” is a subordinating conjunction here, making it a dependent clause.)*

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#### 7. I wish I were a mermaid.
> Complex Sentence:
> *I wish I were a mermaid because I love swimming and the ocean.*

- Independent Clause: I wish I were a mermaid.
- Dependent Clause: because I love swimming and the ocean.

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#### 8. That test was very difficult.
> Complex Sentence:
> *That test was very difficult because we hadn’t studied enough for it.*

- Independent Clause: That test was very difficult.
- Dependent Clause: because we hadn’t studied enough for it.

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✔ Summary of How to Create Complex Sentences:

To make a simple sentence complex, you need to:
1. Identify the main idea (independent clause).
2. Add a reason, condition, time, or contrast using a subordinating conjunction.
3. Combine them into one sentence.

Common subordinating conjunctions:
*because, although, since, if, when, while, even though, unless, until, after, before, as, so that, because, although, since, if, when, while, even though, unless, until, after, before, as, so that, etc.*

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✔ These revised sentences are now complex sentences — each has an independent clause and at least one dependent clause. This improves writing by showing relationships between ideas.