complex sentence

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).

complex sentence

noun

1. grammar a sentence containing at least one main clause and one subordinate clause

complex sentence

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 .)

Word History and Origins

Origin of complex sentence¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

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

From Science Daily

"Governor Cuomo, do you know how dehydrated we’ve been? Do you know how thirsty we are to have a real leader, someone who can speak about policy, who can humanize statistics, who can string together a complex sentence that doesn’t contain a single lie—or just string together a complex sentence? Armed with facts, you are giving us the courage to face our fears," her letter reads.

From Fox News

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

From Nature

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

But it’s a long, rather complex sentence, and a younger reader would likely find it easier to digest if it were broken into two parts.

From Slate