A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses is called what?

A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses is called what?

• A. Compound-complex sentence
• B. Complex sentence
• C. Compound sentence
• D. Simple sentence

Answer: (A)

Two independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause form a compound-complex sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone. In a sentence like I finished my homework, and I went for a walk because I wanted to clear my head, there are two independent thoughts: “I finished my homework” and “I went for a walk.” The phrase “because I wanted to clear my head” is a dependent clause that attaches to the second independent clause. That combination—the two standalone ideas plus the extra dependent clause—defines a compound-complex sentence. If a sentence has two independent clauses but no dependent clause, it’s a compound sentence. If it has one independent clause plus a dependent clause, it’s a complex sentence. If it has only one independent clause, it’s a simple sentence.

Two independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause form a compound-complex sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone. In a sentence like I finished my homework, and I went for a walk because I wanted to clear my head, there are two independent thoughts: “I finished my homework” and “I went for a walk.” The phrase “because I wanted to clear my head” is a dependent clause that attaches to the second independent clause. That combination—the two standalone ideas plus the extra dependent clause—defines a compound-complex sentence. If a sentence has two independent clauses but no dependent clause, it’s a compound sentence. If it has one independent clause plus a dependent clause, it’s a complex sentence. If it has only one independent clause, it’s a simple sentence.