complex sentence examples

Here are three examples of complex sentences with two different dependent clauses (one subordinate and one relative, or two different types of subordinates):

Example 1:
“Because the rain was heavy, the game, which had been scheduled for hours, was canceled.”

Dependent 1 (Adverbial): “Because the rain was heavy” (explains why)

Dependent 2 (Relative): “which had been scheduled for hours” (adds extra info about the game)

Example 2:
“Although she studied hard, she failed the test that her teacher had warned her about.”

Dependent 1 (Adverbial): “Although she studied hard” (contrasting clause)

Dependent 2 (Relative): “that her teacher had warned her about” (describes the test)

Example 3:
“When the alarm sounded, the workers, who were still in the building, evacuated immediately.”

Dependent 1 (Adverbial): “When the alarm sounded” (time clause)

Dependent 2 (Relative): “who were still in the building” (describes the workers)

Example 1: (Adverbial + Noun Clause)
“After the meeting ended, everyone realized that the plan would not work.”

Dependent 1 (Adverbial – Time): “After the meeting ended”

Dependent 2 (Noun Clause – Object): “that the plan would not work”

Example 2: (Conditional + Adverbial Clause)
“If you leave now, you’ll arrive before the concert starts.”

Dependent 1 (Conditional – “If” clause): “If you leave now”

Dependent 2 (Adverbial – Time): “before the concert starts”

Example 3: (Concessive + Purpose Clause)
“Even though she was tired, she stayed up so that she could finish her project.”

Dependent 1 (Concessive – Contrast): “Even though she was tired”

Dependent 2 (Purpose – “So that” clause): “so that she could finish her project”

Bonus Example: (Reason + Result Clause)
“Because the roads were icy, the school closed early so that students could get home safely.”

Dependent 1 (Reason – “Because” clause): “Because the roads were icy”

Dependent 2 (Result – “So that” clause): “so that students could get home safely”