- Fish have gills because they need to breathe underwater. → Yes. It has a main clause ("Fish have gills") and a dependent clause ("because they need to breathe underwater").
- After we have dinner at the restaurant, we are going to take a walk at the beach. → Yes. It has a main clause ("we are going to take a walk at the beach") and a dependent clause ("After we have dinner at the restaurant").
- The elephant trumpeted so loudly because he was startled by the sound of the motor. → Yes. It has a main clause ("The elephant trumpeted so loudly") and a dependent clause ("because he was startled by the sound of the motor").
- Martha’s passport expired, so she needed to get a new one. → No. It is a compound sentence with two independent clauses joined by "so", not a complex sentence with a dependent clause.
- The moonlight shone on the beautiful lake. → No. It is a simple sentence with only one independent clause and no dependent clause.
- Pedro, a student in my class, is an excellent soccer player. → No. “a student in my class” is an appositive phrase, not a dependent clause; the sentence contains only one independent clause.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of complex sentences worksheet 3rd grade.
