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

I do have to say, so I give these long, sometimes very complex sentences and paragraphs, but they all come together.

From Los Angeles Times

Yasuda concludes, "Simply having complex sentence structures does not necessarily lead to a better essay."

From Science Daily

As the disease progresses, these individuals may have a hard time understanding complex sentences.

From Scientific American

This is of course necessary when faced with those complex sentences, wherein often, as E.M.

From Washington Post

Gregerson instead sets up clean arguments, even syllogisms, in complex sentences designed to fasten us to her considered conclusions.

From New York Times