A complex sentence is a type of sentence where there is a main and a dependent part. In a complex sentence, depending on the main clause, there may be several subordinate clauses at once.

How to define a complex sentence?

To understand whether a sentence is complex, you need to understand whether there is a relationship between them. The subordinate part of a complex sentence always answers some questions of the main part or refers to only one word from it.

Subordinate clauses relating to time, purposes, conditions, reasons usually answer the entire part of the main sentence. And if the dependent part refers to one or another word from the main sentence, then it can express a way of action or be a predicate or subordinate clause. For example, in the sentence “I don’t know how this device works,” the main part is the sentence “I don’t know,” and the subordinate clause is “how this device works.” If you ask a question from the main part “What?”, then the subordinate clause will answer it. Please note that between these parts there is a conjunction “who”. Complex sentences are always separated by conjunctions or allied words.

Writing rule

In the text, complex sentences should be separated by commas. When the dependent part is in the middle of the main part, it should be separated by commas on both sides.

Types of complex sentences

There is a basic division of complex sentences. Complex sentences with one or more subordinate clauses are distinguished. There is also a division within these classifications.

The type of subordinate clauses with one dependent part is classified according to its type. There are the following types of subordinate clauses (based on the subordinate clause):

• explanatory
• subordinate comparisons
• reasons
• concessions
• definitive
• subordinate clauses
• conditions
• investigations, etc.

Each of these types of subordinate clauses can be determined by the question that is asked about it. Moreover, there are certain conjunctions that will help determine the type of sentence.

Determinative clauses are connected only with the noun from the main part and answer the question “which”. They define a particular phenomenon, a person, an animal, etc. For example, in the sentence “he is the one who wanted to be the first,” the subordinate part is the construction “who wanted to know everything” is the subordinate part and defines a certain person. In general, pay attention to the fact that the parts are connected by the conjunction “who”. To connect parts, the conjunctive word “from” is also used.

Subordinate clauses indicate a specific place where some event occurs (has happened or will happen). Accordingly, the subordinate clause can be determined by the question “where”, as well as by the allied word or conjunction that stands between the parts of the sentence. The most common conjunction words are “where”, “where”.

In subordinate clauses between the parts of the sentence there are the words “if...then” or “if”. They indicate the condition under which a particular action will be performed. Description of this action, phenomenon, etc. indicated in the main part of the sentence. For example, in the sentence “If the weather is good, then we will go to the dacha,” the subordinate part is the construction “then we will go to the dacha.” It indicates the condition under which the event will occur. Please note that in the main part of the sentence there is a connecting word “if”.

Complex sentences with several subordinate clauses are divided into three main types:

1. With homogeneous subordination. Subordinate clauses refer either to the entire main part of the sentence or to one word from it. For example, “We knew how difficult it was for him and what he did to achieve his goal.”
2. With heterogeneous subordination. Codependent parts answer the question of the entire main part of the sentence. They can also refer to its different parts.
3. With consistent submission. In such a sentence, the codependent part is subordinate to the main one, the subsequent part is subordinate to this codependent part, etc. For example, “We drove very slowly because we weren’t sure if the road was level.”

The Russian language is rich in different forms of sentences. A complex sentence is one of the most common forms. Its correct use and writing will allow you to supplement the sentence with important details.

In the Russian language, it is customary to divide sentences into simple ones, which include one grammatical basis, and complex ones, which include several subjects and predicates that are not homogeneous members. In grade 9, the program involves studying various types of complex sentences. These include complex sentences (examples of which will be given below), as well as complex and non-union sentences. At the beginning of the course, we study in detail what BSC is in Russian (Complex Sentence).

BSC classification

As the name of the term suggests, a compound sentence is a complex sentence with a coordinating connection, which can be expressed using coordinating conjunctions or certain particles. Unlike phrases where a subordinating relationship is used and one part of the sentence is dependent (that is, cannot be used separately from the main one), in SSP both parts are equal. Below is a table with examples of compound and complex sentences from works.

The coordinating connection in a sentence can take on the following meanings:

1. Connective relations are used in cases where it is necessary to show the sequence of two actions or to emphasize their simultaneity: The clock showed midnight And There was finally silence in the house. Communication is formed through alliances And, Yes,Also, Same and some particles: no no.
2. Relationships between parts of a sentence can be divisive when it is necessary to indicate a change of events, their alternation or comparison: Not that he imagined not that and in fact, something bright flashed in the sky. In this case the conjunction is used or, as well as various repeating particles: either... or,not that... not that and others.
3. Comparative relations are used to draw attention to the identity of the two parts of the BSC using namely or that is: I'm very afraid of heights namely The roofs of multi-story buildings and endlessly long flights of stairs scare me.
4. Explanatory relations include various kinds of specification, clarification, expressed in words A, But,which means, and etc.: Everything was fine in the country house, But The roof leaked a little.
5. Gradational relationships are those relationships in the BSC that involve further development: If not It will be possible to finish the construction by the end of the week, then at least you will already have done half the work. Conjunctions are used for communication not only that... also, not only but, not to say that... but and others.

In addition, comparative relations are sometimes divided into 3 more small categories, which include comparative relations themselves (this includes phrases with conjunctions oh yeah), adversatives (to express inconsistency using ah, but) and concessional (using only).

Types of coordinating conjunctions

To connect grammatical bases, auxiliary parts of speech are used - conjunctions and, in some cases, particles. Unions in the MSP usually divided into three categories:

• connecting: and, yes and, too;
• separating: either, not that... not that, or;
• adversative: however, but, but, but.

In addition, complex conjunctions differ in their composition. Most of them consist of one or two words ( yes, also, but, or, but) and is used only in one part of the SSP:

We wouldn't make it until sunset Yes comrades came to the rescue.

However, double conjunctions are also distinguished, which are used in both parts of the phrase ( not only... but also, either... or, or... or):

Or Tomorrow there will be a thunderstorm with heavy rain, or It will be hot all day.

Conjunctions in the SSP are usually found at the beginning of the second part of the sentence (or at the beginning of both parts, if we are talking about a double conjunction). Exceptions are too, also and particle same, which can be located in the middle of a phrase:

January turned out to be unusually warm, February Same I was in no hurry to please the guys with snow.

The location of the conjunction in the phrase and the type to which it belongs must be known in order to correctly place punctuation marks (if necessary).

Basic rules of punctuation

As with all other types of complex sentences, most often in SSP it is necessary to separate one part from the other by using a comma before the coordinating conjunction or particle.

We could have arrived today, but unexpected circumstances prevented our plans.

Either Pavel did not receive her message, or there were problems on the line again.

However, it is important to remember that coordinating conjunctions can connect not only parts of a complex sentence, but also homogeneous members. In such cases, it is necessary to highlight the grammatical basics and understand whether the subjects and predicates are homogeneous, as in the following simple sentence:

Bees or wasps often fly into your apartment in the summer and can sting someone.

In addition, punctuation in BSC is not limited to commas. Some phrases use punctuation marks that are more typical of a non-union connection.

Semicolon and dash

In some cases, other punctuation marks should be used instead of a comma. If the sentence is very common (it contains participial or adverbial phrases, introductory words, a large number of homogeneous members) and there are already commas inside, you should separate one part of the phrase from the other using a semicolon:

The guys went to the pond, despite the beginning of rain, visited their neighbor, and walked along an abandoned forest path; but only in the evening they were allowed to go home.

In situations where one part of the BSC is sharply opposed to another or when the second part is a consequence of the first, a dash must be placed between them:

A blow and he fell.

In addition, punctuation errors in phrases with coordinating connections arise not only when determining the correct punctuation mark. Sometimes there are complex sentences that lack both commas and dashes.

When punctuation marks are not used

Keep in mind that there are some cases where a comma is not required. For example, if two simple sentences in a complex sentence are connected by single conjunctions And, Yes, or, or and have some common element, then no punctuation is needed between them. The common element may be:

1. Common minor member (usually an object or adverbial): His parents have cows and pears growing on their farm.
2. General subordinate clause (in the event that subordination is used in a sentence along with an essay): While my brother was walking, my mother went to the store and my sister started baking a pie.
3. The general part of the sentence connected by a non-union connection (only when both parts of the SSP reveal the content of the phrase in more detail): The girl was overcome by despair: the last tram had left and the last bus had left.
4. General introduction: As you know, our planet has the shape of a ball and the Moon revolves around it.

In addition to the indicated cases, a comma is not placed before connecting and disjunctive conjunctions if they are united by intonation:

How much time is left before the exams and when should you start preparing for them?- interrogative intonation.

Let the old year end and the new one begin!- an incentive offer.

How charmingly an experienced musician plays and how amazingly fine-tuned his ear is!- both parts are united by an exclamation.

Punctuation is not required in denominative sentences (without a predicate), if the conjunction is not double:

Amazing beauty and a completely inexplicable sight.

However, this rule does not apply to titles of books, films, etc.:

Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath!

A comma is not needed in vaguely personal sentences, but only when the same performer of the action is implied:

Lunch was brought to the patients and then the dirty dishes were taken away.

It is not easy to remember all the listed rules and special cases. The easiest way to master the information received is to complete several tasks to consolidate the skill.

Examples of exercises

Task 1. Create diagrams for complex sentences from fiction (M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin). Explain punctuation marks.

They wandered around the island for a long time without any success, but finally the pungent smell of chaff bread and sour sheepskin put them on the trail.

First you need to determine the subjects and predicates: they wandered And brought the smell. Thus, there are 2 grammatical stems in the sentence, and they are connected by the conjunction But.

To draw up a BSC diagram, each part is indicated by square brackets, between which a coordinating conjunction is indicated: […], But […].

Punctuation marks are explained as follows: comma before the conjunction But separates 2 parts of the BSC; finally isolated on both sides, since this is an introductory word.

The generals looked at these peasant efforts, and their hearts played merrily.

It is necessary to highlight the grammatical basics: the generals were watching And hearts played. The connection between the parts of the sentence is ensured using a connecting conjunction And. The SSP scheme looks like: […], And […].

A single comma separates two simple parts of a complex sentence.

I wanted to give them a scolding, but they were frozen, clinging to him.

The first sentence in a complex sentence is incomplete: the subject is omitted, the predicate is omitted - wanted to give. The second sentence is ordinary, two-part; its grammatical basis is they are numb. Communication is made using an adversative conjunction But. The diagram looks like this: […], But […].

A comma before a conjunction divides a complex sentence into two parts; the second comma indicates the participial phrase.

The man now collected wild hemp, soaked it in water, beat it, crushed it - and by evening the rope was ready.

In the first part, homogeneous predicates are observed - picked, soaked, beat, crushed, related to the subject man. The second part is not complicated at all: the rope was ready. The diagram looks like: […] - And […].

Commas are added because there are several homogeneous members. The dash is necessary because the second part of the phrase is a result of the first.

Task 2. Determine which of the sentences are complex.

(1) The sixth-graders left the school building in a friendly crowd and, looking at the carefree sunny sky, walked to the bus stop. (2) There was already a roomy bus there that was supposed to take them to Vyborg. (3) The guys were already completely ready for the trip, but the teacher had not arrived yet. (4) Either her trolleybus was delayed, or her naughty daughter did not want to let her go to another city for the whole day.

(5) An elderly driver got off the bus and looked thoughtfully at the slightly confused schoolchildren. (6) Not only the guys were looking forward to the excursion, but he himself dreamed of finally escaping from the cramped, stuffy city.

To find the BSC, you need to determine which phrases contain 2 or more grammatical stems. Sentences 2, 3, 4 and 6 fit this condition. Phrases numbered 1 and 5 are simple with homogeneous predicates.

SSP and SPP (complex sentences) differ in communication methods: SSP uses coordinating conjunctions, while SSP uses subordinating conjunctions and allied words. Let us determine by what means the connection between simple parts is carried out. With the exception of sentence 2, where a conjunctive word was used which, all other phrases are connected using double ( either... or, not only... but also) and single coordinating conjunctions ( But). Therefore, phrases 3, 4 and 6 belong to the BSC.

Task 3. Perform parsing:

The summer holidays began, and we, of course, went on vacation in the countryside.

Syntactic parsing is carried out in stages. In some cases, some steps are omitted (for example, determining the type of union); below is the most complete version of the analysis:

• Characterize it by the purpose of the statement and emotional coloring: narrative (does not contain a call to action or a question) and non-exclamatory.
• Determine the number of grammatical stems: holidays have started And we went on vacation. Therefore, the sentence is complex.
• The connection between the basics is ensured using a coordinating conjunction And. This means that the sentence is complex.
• Perform a separate analysis of the first simple sentence. Since it has both a subject and a predicate, it is two-part. The presence of a minor member (definitions summer) indicates prevalence. The proposal is not complicated in any way. The subject is expressed by a noun, the predicate by a verb, and the definition by an adjective.
• The second part is also two-part. It is spread by circumstance out of town. An introductory word acts as a complication Certainly. The subject is expressed by a personal pronoun, the compound predicate by two verbs, one of which is in the infinitive form, and the adverbial by a noun.
• The diagram looks like: […], and […].

The syntactic analysis of any other sentence in which there is a coordinating connection is performed in a similar way.

Syntactic analysis of sentences (generalization).

In the Unified State Examination task in the Russian language, as a rule, a complex sentence is proposed for analysis, which, of course, does not exclude the possibility of analyzing a simple complicated sentence. We will clearly present brief information about the differences between simple and types of complex sentences, the knowledge of which you will need to successfully complete the task.

Rule.

Algorithm of actions.

1. Try to act by eliminating incorrect options! Most often, two versions of the Unified State Examination are obviously incorrect, and the rest are very similar.

2. Identify grammatical basics and determine their number. One basis is a simple sentence, if two or more are complex.

3. Pay attention to the ways in which grammatical basics are connected and the punctuation marks between them.

Remember! Coordinating conjunctions connect not only grammatical bases, but also homogeneous parts of the sentence, while subordinating conjunctions connect only grammatical bases!

4. If the sentence is complex (SPP), then determine the main and subordinate clauses (ask a question from one stem to another).

Analysis of the task.

1.

Apparently, we don’t think enough in private that we still don’t know this.

1) complex with coordinating and subordinating connections

1) complex

2) complex with non-conjunctive and subordinating connections

3) compound (CC)

We highlight grammatical basics and conjunctions:

Apparently we don't think much in private, What We still don’t know this.

Thus, there are 2 grammatical bases in the sentence ( it is seen is an introductory word, so it only complicates the first basis). Options 1 and 3 will be excluded, since they presuppose the presence of at least three basics Since the sentence contains a subordinating conjunction What, then this is a proposal complex (option 2).

1. Which characteristic corresponds to the sentence:

True, when the famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen checked into the hotel, there was still some ink left in the tin inkwell that could be diluted with water.

1. complex with coordinating and subordinating connections

2. complex with non-conjunctive and subordinating connections

3. complex

4. complex with non-union and conjunction (coordinating and subordinating) connections

We determine the number of grammatical bases and the connection between them:

Is it true, When famous storyteller Hans Christian Andersen checked into a hotel, there was still some ink left in the tin inkwell, which could have been diluted with water.

Three basics ( Truth - introductory word) are connected only by a subordinating connection (conjunction When and a union word which).

Answer option – 3.

2. Which characteristic corresponds to the sentence:

It is interesting that a year before the experimental discovery of the positron, its existence was theoretically predicted by the English physicist Paul Dirac (the existence of just such a particle followed from the equation he derived).

complex and painstaking work. Not all children learn a new topic right away; some need time to figure it out and understand the essence of the rule. Knowing the definition by heart, a child cannot always give examples and apply the rule in practice. There are many types of offers. Let's look at complex sentences in more detail and look at examples with diagrams together.

The concept of complex sentences

Before you start explaining a new topic to your child, figure it out yourself. The student will grasp the essence of the topic only when he feels confident from an adult. Where to start explaining new material? Ask your child to make a sentence consisting of two parts, connected by a conjunction and a meaning.

For example:

I saw something behind the curtain and ran into another room so as not to scream in fear.
Analyzing the sentence, we conclude that it consists of two bases connected by the conjunction “and”. Both parts of the sentence are connected in meaning, that is, one is subordinate to the other.

Let's look at the rule:

The definition must not only be learned, but also understood. Along with it, highlight the basics of simple sentences and depict them schematically. Ask to use the example diagram to create your own proposal. If a student has difficulty completing a task, help him. Read the definition again, reason together and start completing the task.

To begin with, use a simple scheme where two simple sentences are connected by a conjunction or a conjunctive word. Do not use too many minor terms, otherwise the child will get confused and will not be able to punctuate and highlight the main terms.

Conjunctions and allied words

NGNs are linked together by conjunctions and allied words. Print them out for your child so they are always at hand:

Explain to your child that they are members of a sentence, so they must be taken into account when parsing syntactically.

If your homework says that you need to find complex sentences in the text, teach your child to use the action algorithm. Print it out and hang it above your student's desk. When completing the task, the reminder will be useful to the child and he will easily remember how to find a complex sentence.

Independent work

To consolidate the material covered, invite your child to complete the task independently. After the job is done, check for accuracy. I made mistakes, don’t be angry, because the topic is really not simple. Mom dictates sentences, the child completes the task:

Next, teach your curious fidget to use the diagrams. Show how to mark a main clause as a subordinating clause. Tell us that the subordination in a sentence can be different: stems can be connected sequentially, parallelly and homogeneously. Using specific examples, explain the difference using diagrams:

Important point! The subordinate clause can appear in any part of the sentence.

In this case, you can make a proposal:

When it started to rain, we came home.

Or another option:

When we arrived home, it started to rain.

May be so:

We came home when it started to rain.

As you can see, by swapping the basics, the meaning remains. Come up with your own simple examples where the subordinate clause is at the beginning, middle and end of the sentence.

Many children cannot immediately determine which type a particular sentence belongs to. Don't worry, when studying new topics, the teacher and the children repeat the material covered to refresh their memory. After all, everything is interconnected, and if you miss one, it is very difficult to understand the other.

A complex sentence is a type of complex sentence in which there are unequal clauses: there is a main part and a dependent part or dependent parts. As you know, all sentences in the Russian language, according to the number of grammatical bases, are divided into simple and complex; complex ones, in turn, are divided into non-union, complex and complex sentences.

The parts of a complex sentence are connected to each other by a subordinating connection: subordinating conjunctions and allied words. The part of a complex sentence that is independent of the rest is called the main clause. The part that is dependent is called a subordinate clause. To make it easier to denote the expression “complex sentence”, it is customary to use the abbreviation SPP.

SPP with homogeneous subordination

A sentence in which all subordinate clauses belong to the same main part and answer the same questions (therefore they are clauses of the same type)

Examples:

I set off when everyone was already asleep and when it became cool

I set off when everyone was already asleep and it was cool

I set off - > when? (when everyone was asleep and when it became cold)

Comment: In Russian, the same word does not need to be repeated, so example 1 and example 2 are the same sentences.

IPS with sequential subordination

In this type of SPP, simple sentences form a kind of chain: From the main sentence we ask the question of the 2nd subordinate clause, from the second we ask the question of the 3rd.

Examples: And Nikolai went to work (why?) so that no one would say that he didn’t like his job (which one?), which he really didn’t like.

The SPP with a comma at the junction of 2 conjunctions has a sequential subordination.

Examples: He said that when father comes, we will go to the park. (The proposal is discussed below.)

Parsing: He said (what?) -> let's go to the park (when?) -> when father comes.

SPP with parallel subordination

This type of SPP has the following subordinate clauses:

A). They receive questions from one main part, but these questions are different (hence the subordinate clauses will be of different types);

b). They are subordinate clauses of the same type, they receive the same questions, but related to different words (this applies to attributive clauses.).

Examples:

Even though you don't deserve it, I'll give you an A if you do well on the test.

I love looking at the sea, which brings inspiration, and the sky, which has no clouds. (questions are asked from different nouns in the main one.)

There is always a subordinating conjunction within a subordinate clause.

Examples: Andrei did not remember where he put the diary. (about what?)

From the main clause to the subordinate clause we always give a question. The subordinate clause is always separated from the main clause by commas.

Examples: Her ringing voice, which delighted everyone, was heard from afar.

The position of the subordinate clause in the complex.

In an IPP, the subordinate part can occupy the following positions relative to the main one:

1) The subordinate connection follows after the main one:

The dew dried quickly as the sun rose.

[…], (When…).

2) The subordinate part may precede the main part:

When the sun rose, the dew quickly dried.

(When…), […].

3) The subordinate clause can break the main sentence:

The dew dried quickly when the sun rose.

[…, (When…),….].