Mastering English Grammar with Complex Sentences
Which of the following is a correctly punctuated complex sentence?
A. My phone rings, when I take a shower.
B. Whenever I take a shower my phone seems to ring.
C. Whenever I step into the shower, my phone seems to ring.
D. My phone seems to ring; whenever I step into the shower.
Answer: C. Whenever I step into the shower, my phone seems to ring.
Understanding Complex Sentences in English Grammar
A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. In the correct option C, "Whenever I step into the shower" is the dependent clause, and "my phone seems to ring" is the independent clause.
Here's why option C is the correct choice:
- It has a subordinating conjunction "whenever" introducing the dependent clause.
- The independent clause "my phone seems to ring" can stand alone as a complete sentence.
By using a subordinating conjunction like "whenever" to connect the two clauses, the sentence becomes a complex sentence with a clear relationship between the ideas.
Remember, in complex sentences, the dependent clause relies on the independent clause for meaning and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.