complex sentence

American  

noun

1. a sentence containing one or more dependent clauses in addition to the main clause, as When the bell rings (dependent clause), walk out (main clause).

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complex sentence British  

noun

1. grammar a sentence containing at least one main clause and one subordinate clause

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complex sentence Cultural  

1. A sentence that contains one main clause or independent clause and at least one subordinate clause or dependent clause: “Although I am tired (subordinate clause), I want to go to the midnight movie (main clause).” (See subordination; compare compound sentence, compound-complex sentence, and simple sentence.)

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Etymology

Origin of complex sentence

First recorded in 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does complex-sentence compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• compound sentence vs. complex sentence

Example Sentences

Complex sentence, analysis of, 264. definition of, 257.

From An English Grammar by Sewell, James Witt

Complex sentence: The view that business is only humdrum routine and sordid money-making needs revising, since most of the world's big questions are business questions.

From Business English A Practice Book by Buhlig, Rose