Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences

Name: Date:

Worksheet One
This worksheet accompanies slides 5 of Complex Sentences.ppt

What are complex sentences?

Read each definition below and decide whether it is true or false.

Cross out the wrong answers.

1. Complex sentences are sentences about complicated

subjects such as quantum theory. True/False

2. Complex sentences are sentences written by people with

psychological problems. True/False

3. Complex sentences are sentences containing a main clause

and at least one subordinate clause. True/False

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 1

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Two
This worksheet accompanies slide 9 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Joining clauses
Join these main clauses and subordinate clauses by filling in the gaps with
different connectives from the list underneath.

How does varying the connectives change the meanings of the sentences?

1. I hate school uniform ________________ it is very practical.

2. I used to like it ________________ I became fashion

conscious.

3. I have to wear it ________________ I am at this school.

4. I only wear it ________________ if I don’t I’ll get done.

5. I won’t wear it ________________ I leave.

6. Then I’ll go to college ________________ you don’t have to

wear one.

until while although

because where when

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 2

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Three
This worksheet accompanies slide 12 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Adverbial clauses
Tom has written a paragraph describing his most recent football match.

Rewrite his paragraph and add some adverbial clauses to make the paragraph
more descriptive and exciting to read.

The referee blew his whistle. The opposition took possession

of the ball and ran towards our goal. My team’s defender
tackled the opposition and kicked the ball to me. I ran
towards their goal and then I passed the ball to my friend.
The ball was kicked above their goal box. I headed the ball
into the goal – I scored!

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 3

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Four
This worksheet accompanies slide 16 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Adding a comma
Read the complex sentences below and decide where a comma is needed.

Draw them in the correct places.

1. If you are tired you should have a rest.

2. Before you can watch TV you must do your chores.

3. Unless you practise you won’t pass your music exam.

4. Because she was ill Sally couldn’t play outside.

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 4

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Five
This worksheet accompanies slide 19 of Complex Sentences.ppt

How many commas are needed?

Match the beginning of each rule about punctuating complex sentences with
the correct ending.

Draw a line between the boxes to link them.

When
Whenaasentence
sentence
…one comma is
finishes
finisheswith
withaa
placed after it.
subordinate
subordinateclause…
clause…

When a subordinate
…no commas are
clause is placed in the
needed.
middle of a sentence…

When a sentence
begins with a …a comma is placed
before and after it.
subordinate clause…

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 5

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Six
This worksheet accompanies slide 20 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Commas revision
Read the complex sentences below and decide how many commas are needed –
if any – to separate the main clause from the subordinate clause.

Write in the spaces the number of commas each sentence requires.

1. He says that if he is given a detention he will not attend.

No. of ___ comma(s)

2. When the exams were marked the examiner went away for a
holiday. No. of ___ comma(s)

3. The examiner went away for a holiday when the exams were
marked. No. of ___ comma(s)

4. He thought that because she was so pretty she would be

bound to marry. No. of ___ comma(s)

5. When the fire alarm rang the pupils exited the room
immediately. No. of ___ comma(s)

6. Although it was expensive I bought a season ticket for

Manchester United. No. of ___ comma(s)

7. I bought a season ticket for Manchester United although it

was expensive. No. of ___ comma(s)

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 6

 Sentence Starters – Complex Sentences
Name: Date:

Worksheet Six continued

This worksheet accompanies slide 20 of Complex Sentences.ppt

Now rewrite the seven complex sentences with the correct punctuation in the
spaces provided.

1. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

2. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

3. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

5. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

6. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

7. ________________________________________________
________________________________________________

© Boardworks Ltd 2006 7