A complex sentence has a main clause and at least one subordinate clause, which is joined to the main clause with a subordinating conjunction such as: after, although, as, as if, as long as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, if, if only, in order that, now that, once, rather than, since, so that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, while

Below are some complex sentences. Can you pick out the subordinate clause?

1. Because he already had horns and a forked tail, Sheldon decided to dress up as a devil for Halloween.

2. Even though Norbert hadn't done it, he told his friends he was the one who stole the cookies.

3. Wherever he went, Johnny Cucumberseed planted cucumbers.

4. Don't push that button unless you want something dreadful to happen.

5. I could get all As in English if only I could remember to study before the test.

6. Once I figured out how to ride a unicycle, riding a bicycle was easy.

7. Spring can't be far behind now that winter's here.

8. Henry can do his homework as long as he has music blasting from the speakers.

9. Whenever the cat screamed in the back yard, the dog began to howl.

10. Although I look like a human being, I am actually a goblin king.

When you combine two or more simple sentences to write a complex sentence, you have to decide what your main clause should be and which conjunction is the best. Sometimes you have to rearrange the sentences or use pronouns. Here are some ways to form complex sentences:

Originial sentences: I want to clean my room. / It is messy.

I want to clean my room because it is messy.

Since it is messy, I want to clean my room

Whenever my room is messy, I want to clean it.

Original sentences: Edward will be a rock star when he grows up. / He can't play a musical instrument.

Although Edward can't play a musical instrument, he will be a rock star when he grows up.

Edward will be a rock star when he grows up, even though he can't play a musical instrument.

Original sentences: Pat walks. / He leaves muddy footprints behind him.

After Pat walks, he leaves muddy footprints behind him.

Whenever Pat walks, he leaves muddy footprints behind him.

Try making up and combining some sentences using the other subordinating conjunctions!