Compound-complex sentence — English definition
A sentence with at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
Where it is taught
- Syntax & Sentence Variety — Language, Style & Conventions, English 9: Experience, Perspective & Inquiry, Grade 9
In use
Stack them up and you get a compound-complex sentence — at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause — which can carry real nuance: 'Although the storm knocked out power for two days, the town rebuilt quickly, and neighbors who had barely spoken before became close friends.
Syntax & Sentence Variety
Questions using compound-complex sentence
Problem 1
Which sentence is a compound-complex sentence?
- The dog barked.
- The dog barked, and the cat ran.
- Although the dog barked, the cat ignored it.
- Although the dog barked, the cat ignored it, and the mouse escaped.
Answer and explanation
Although the dog barked, the cat ignored it, and the mouse escaped.
This sentence has one dependent clause ('Although the dog barked') plus two independent clauses ('the cat ignored it' and 'the mouse escaped') — making it compound-complex.