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

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

From Science Daily • Jun. 18, 2024

Or you can combine the shorter sentences into a complex sentence with a dependent clause, as in the second example.

From Textbooks • Dec. 21, 2021

When technical details are necessary, follow up a complex sentence with one that sums up the big picture.

From Nature • Dec. 19, 2019

Sentence length has something to do with it—a long, complex sentence may benefit from a clarifying semicolon—but if a sentence scans without a semicolon it’s best to leave it alone.

From The New Yorker • Jul. 15, 2019

While the complex sentence has only one main clause, the compound has two or more independent clauses making statements, questions, or commands.

From An English Grammar by Sewell, James Witt