Complex Sentence - from Simple Sentence to Complex Sentence

Complex sentences refer to sentences that have more than one subject and one verb. Complex sentences are connected by conjunctions and other types of linking words. Other complex sentences are written with relative pronouns, as well as other sentences using more than one clause. This exercise starts off easy by using two simple sentences and using aconjunction to connect the two sentences to make one complex sentence.

Combing simple sentences to make complex sentences is an important exercise to help you advance in your writing abilities. This writing exercise focuses on taking simple sentences and transforming them into complex sentences which are then combined into a paragraph.

Simple Sentence -> Complex Sentence

Example: Tom is a boy. He is eight years old. He goes to school in Philadelphia.

Complex Sentence: -> Tom is an eight-year old boy who goes to school in Philadelphia.

Here are some simple rules to remember when combining simple sentences into complex sentences:

• Don't repeat words
• Change words if necessary
• Add words to connect ideas

Complex Sentence Exercise

Combine the following sentences into complex sentences. Remember that a number of answers may be correct. Click on the following page to compare your answers following page to compare your answers with two possible paragraphs.

• His name is Peter.
  He's a famous professional athlete.
  He's a baseball player.
  He has a large house in Miami.
  The house is beautiful.
  He often travels around the US.
  He plays away games in different cities in the US.
  He travels by airplane.
  He usually sleeps on the plane.
  He stays up late after games.
  He is an excellent pitcher.
  Fans love his abilities.
  Coaches love his abilities.
  Every week he plays a home game.
  The game is played in Glover Stadium.
  The game is usually sold out.
  Glover Stadium is old.
  Glover Stadium doesn't have enough seats for all the fans.
  The fans wait in line to buy tickets.
  The fans often pay more than $60 dollars for a ticket.
  The fans are unhappy about the ticket prices.
  The fans love Peter.

Here are two possible paragraph answers to this exercise. Compare your answer with these examples. Remember that there is more than one possible correct answer for each sentence.

Complex Sentence - Possible Paragraph 1

Peter is a famous baseball player. He lives in a beautiful house in Miami. He often flies around the United States to play away games. Both fans and coaches love his excellent pitching abilities. Every week he plays home games in Glover Stadium which is usually sold out. Glover Stadium is an old stadium without enough seats for all the fans. Fans wait in line to buy the tickets which often cost more than $60. Even though the fans are unhappy about ticket prices, they love Peter.

Complex Sentence - Possible Paragraph 2

Peter is a famous baseball player who lives in a beautiful house in Miami. He often flies to different cities around the United States to play away games. His excellent pitching is loved by both fans and coaches. Old Glover Stadium doesn't have enough seats for the fans who want to come to home games. Even though they are unhappy about ticket prices, the wait in line and pay more than $60 to see Peter play.