Which type of sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause joined by a subordinate conjunction?

Which type of sentence has an independent clause and a dependent clause joined by a subordinate conjunction?

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

Answer: (A)

A complex sentence is built from one independent clause and one dependent clause joined by a subordinate conjunction. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while the dependent clause cannot on its own and relies on the independent clause to complete its meaning. The dependent clause begins with a subordinate conjunction such as because, since, when, although, if, or after, signaling that the clause is not a complete thought by itself. For example: Because I studied, I passed the test. Here, I passed the test is the independent clause that could stand alone, and Because I studied is the dependent clause that cannot stand alone, connected by the subordinate conjunction Because. This differs from a simple sentence, which has only one independent clause and no dependent clause; a compound sentence, which has two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon; and a compound-complex sentence, which has at least two independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause.

A complex sentence is built from one independent clause and one dependent clause joined by a subordinate conjunction. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while the dependent clause cannot on its own and relies on the independent clause to complete its meaning. The dependent clause begins with a subordinate conjunction such as because, since, when, although, if, or after, signaling that the clause is not a complete thought by itself. For example: Because I studied, I passed the test. Here, I passed the test is the independent clause that could stand alone, and Because I studied is the dependent clause that cannot stand alone, connected by the subordinate conjunction Because.

This differs from a simple sentence, which has only one independent clause and no dependent clause; a compound sentence, which has two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon; and a compound-complex sentence, which has at least two independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause.