Challenge yourself with our compound and complex sentences quiz and sharpen your grammar in just a few minutes! Whether you're a student aiming for an A, a writer polishing your prose, or a language lover seeking a fresh puzzle, this free compound and complex sentences test has been crafted to help you master punctuation, conjunctions, and creative clause combinations. Enjoy targeted compound complex sentence practice, refine your flair for joining ideas, and even tackle our advanced compound complex sentence quiz for rich, layered challenges. Need a quick warm-up? Try our identify compound sentences quiz or explore the complex sentence checker tool. Ready to prove your skills? Jump in now!
Which of the following is a compound sentence?
She loves painting, and he enjoys sculpting.
We will leave.
He ran quickly.
Because she was late, she missed the bus.
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. In this case, 'She loves painting' and 'he enjoys sculpting' are both independent clauses connected by "and". The other options either have a subordinating conjunction or only one clause. See more at Grammarly.
Which of the following is a complex sentence?
She smiles.
I finished my homework, and I watched TV.
Although it was raining, we went hiking.
They baked cookies.
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction. Here, 'Although it was raining' is the dependent clause and 'we went hiking' is the independent clause. The other options are either simple or compound. More details at Purdue OWL.
Identify the coordinating conjunction in this sentence: "I wanted to join the club, but I missed the deadline."
but
to
and
because
Coordinating conjunctions include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. In this sentence, "but" connects two independent clauses. The other words serve different grammatical roles. See Grammarly for reference.
Identify the subordinating conjunction in this sentence: "She studied hard so that she could pass the exam."
so that
so
and
but
Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. "So that" here links the purpose clause to the main clause. The other options are either coordinating conjunctions or parts of other structures. More at UNC Writing Center.
Fill in the blank to form a compound sentence: "I wanted to go for a walk, ___ it started raining."
or
and
but
because
To create a compound sentence, two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction. "But" correctly expresses the contrast. Using "and" or "or" would change the meaning; "because" would create a dependent clause. See Grammarly for more.
Which of the following is a simple sentence?
The cat slept on the mat.
The cat slept on the mat, and the dog meowed.
When the cat slept, the dog played outside.
Although the cat slept, the dog remained awake.
A simple sentence contains a single independent clause with a subject and predicate. Only option A meets that criterion. The others include subordinating or coordinating conjunctions linking multiple clauses. Reference: Purdue OWL.
Which of the following is an independent clause?
While she was reading.
Because the sun was setting.
She finished her assignment.
After he left the room.
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. "She finished her assignment" has a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. The others are introductory dependent clauses. See Grammarly.
Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon to form a compound sentence?
I wanted to leave however; I stayed late.
I wanted to leave; however, I stayed late.
I wanted to leave, however, I stayed late.
I wanted to leave however I stayed late.
When joining two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon is used. With a conjunctive adverb like "however," the semicolon comes before it and a comma follows. Option A follows these rules. More at Purdue OWL.
Identify the dependent clause in this sentence: "After the movie ended, we went to dinner."
After the movie ended
we went to dinner
the movie ended
Dinner
A dependent clause cannot stand alone and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction. "After the movie ended" cannot function independently. The main action is in "we went to dinner." See Grammarly.
Combine into a complex sentence using "although": "She was tired. She continued working."
She continued working and although she was tired.
Although she was tired, she continued working.
Although she continued working, she was tired.
She was tired, although she continued working.
A complex sentence places the dependent clause first if you start with a subordinating conjunction like "although." The correct form is "Although she was tired, she continued working." Other options misplace or misuse the conjunction. More at Purdue OWL.
Which punctuation is correct for joining two independent clauses without a conjunction?
I called you. I waited for you.
I called you, I waited for you.
I called you; I waited for you.
I called you;and I waited for you.
Two independent clauses without a conjunction require a semicolon. Option B correctly places a semicolon between the clauses. A comma alone causes a comma splice, and a period breaks them into separate sentences. See Grammarly.
Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly as a compound sentence?
She likes tea; but he prefers coffee.
She likes tea, but he prefers coffee.
She likes tea but, he prefers coffee.
She likes tea but he prefers coffee.
A compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction uses a comma before the conjunction. Option A correctly places a comma before "but." The others misplace or omit the comma. More at Purdue OWL.
Identify the type of clause underlined: "The book that you gave me is fascinating."
Relative clause
Independent clause
Adverbial clause
Noun clause
A relative clause modifies a noun and begins with a relative pronoun like "that." "That you gave me" describes "the book." It is not a noun or adverbial clause. See more at Grammarly.
Form a compound-complex sentence by combining: "I cleaned the house." "My friend cooked dinner." "We enjoyed a movie night."
After I cleaned the house, my friend cooked dinner, and we enjoyed a movie night.
I cleaned the house; my friend cooked dinner; we enjoyed a movie night.
I cleaned the house and my friend cooked dinner and we enjoyed a movie night.
Cleaning the house, my friend cooked dinner and movie night was enjoyed.
A compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. Option A uses "After I cleaned the house" as a dependent clause plus two independent clauses joined by "and." More examples at Purdue OWL.
Which sentence is a compound-complex sentence?
Before the sun rose, I went for a jog, but I felt tired.
When I woke up, I went for a jog.
I woke up early, and I went for a jog.
I woke up early and went for a jog.
A compound-complex sentence has at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause. In option D, "Before the sun rose" is a dependent clause, and the clauses "I went for a jog" and "I felt tired" are independent, joined by "but." See Grammarly.
Which of the following is an example of a comma splice?
She loves reading, she goes to the library often.
She loves reading and goes to the library often.
Because she loves reading, she goes to the library often.
She loves reading; she goes to the library often.
A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined only with a comma. Option A joins two full sentences with a comma and no conjunction. The semicolon or conjunction fixes the splice. More at Purdue OWL.
Punctuate correctly: "When the rain stopped we decided to continue the hike and it became more enjoyable."
When the rain stopped, we decided to continue the hike, and it became more enjoyable.
When the rain stopped; we decided to continue the hike, and it became more enjoyable.
When the rain stopped, we decided to continue the hike and it became more enjoyable.
When the rain stopped we decided to continue the hike, and it became more enjoyable.
A comma should follow the dependent clause "When the rain stopped," and another comma before "and" to join the two independent clauses. Option A applies both correctly. See Purdue OWL.
Identify the fused sentence (run-on) among the following:
Although she was late, she still made the meeting on time.
He studied all night, so he was tired in the morning.
I wanted to go, but I couldn't find my keys.
She likes coffee she drinks it every morning.
A fused sentence (run-on) occurs when two independent clauses are joined without any punctuation or conjunction. Option B has two complete thoughts with no separator. See UNC Writing Center.
Rewrite the compound-complex sentence as a complex sentence: "I finished my report, and I submitted it before the deadline because I wanted to impress my boss."
I finished my report because I wanted to impress my boss, and I submitted it before the deadline.
I wanted to impress my boss and finished my report and submitted it before the deadline.
Because I wanted to impress my boss, I finished my report and submitted it before the deadline.
I finished and submitted my report before the deadline and I wanted to impress my boss.
A complex sentence has one dependent clause and one independent clause. Option A moves the purpose clause to the front and unites the two actions into one independent clause. See Grammarly.
Identify the noun clause in this sentence: "I don't know what he is planning to do."
what he is planning to do
I don't know
planning to do
he is planning to do
A noun clause functions as a noun within the sentence. "What he is planning to do" acts as the object of "don't know." The other choices do not serve this role. More at UNC Writing Center.
Which sentence correctly uses a relative clause?
The car was parked outside which belongs to my friend.
The car parked outside belongs to my friend.
The car which was parked outside belongs to my friend.
The car that was parked outside, belongs to my friend.
A relative clause directly follows the noun it modifies and uses a relative pronoun like "which" or "that." Option A correctly places "which was parked outside" after "car." See Grammarly.
Identify the dangling modifier in this sentence: "Walking down the street, the flowers smelled fresh."
The flowers smelled fresh as I walked down the street.
Walking down the street, I smelled the flowers.
I smelled the flowers, walking down the street.
Walking down the street, the flowers smelled fresh.
A dangling modifier incorrectly describes the wrong noun. Here, it suggests the flowers were walking. Option A is the only example with that error. See Purdue OWL.
Identify the elliptical clause in this example: "She can play the guitar; he, the piano."
play the guitar
She can play the guitar
the piano
he, the piano
An elliptical clause omits parts of the sentence that are understood. "He, the piano" omits "can play," leaving the clause elliptical. The other fragments are not elliptical clauses. See Grammarphobia.
Combine three independent clauses into one sentence with correct punctuation and no conjunctions: "I read the book." "I took notes." "I prepared for the exam."
I read the book and I took notes, and I prepared for the exam.
I read the book, I took notes, I prepared for the exam.
I read the book; I took notes; I prepared for the exam.
I read the book, and I took notes, and I prepared for the exam.
When joining more than two independent clauses without conjunctions, semicolons separate each clause. Option B correctly uses semicolons. Commas alone create run-ons. See Purdue OWL.
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Study Outcomes
Identify Clause Types -
Determine independent and dependent clauses within sentences as you progress through the compound and complex sentences quiz.
Differentiate Sentence Structures -
Distinguish between compound, complex, and compound-complex constructions during targeted compound complex sentence practice.
Analyze Sentence Composition -
Break down multi-clause sentences using strategies learned from the compound and complex sentences test to understand each clause's role.
Construct Accurate Sentences -
Apply your knowledge to create grammatically correct compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences in the compound complex sentence quiz.
Enhance Writing Confidence -
Use instant feedback from the quiz to improve your grammar skills and boost confidence in crafting complex sentence structures.
Cheat Sheet
Differentiating Independent and Dependent Clauses -
An independent clause can stand alone, while a dependent clause relies on another clause for meaning. Use the mnemonic "IDEA" - Independent, Dependent, Example, Attach - to quickly spot each clause type. Purdue OWL underscores that mastering these basics is the first step toward acing any compound and complex sentences quiz.
Leveraging FANBOYS for Compound Sentences -
Compound sentences link two independent clauses with one of the FANBOYS conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Remembering the FANBOYS acronym ensures you never omit the correct connector. The UCLA Writing Center provides clear examples that make compound complex sentence practice more approachable.
Using Subordinators in Complex Sentences -
Complex sentences introduce a dependent clause using subordinators like because, although, since, or unless to add depth. A simple test is to underline the subordinator and confirm that removing it yields a standalone sentence. Cambridge University Press recommends this technique for tackling tricky compound and complex sentences test questions.
Building Compound-Complex Sentences -
A compound-complex sentence combines at least two independent clauses with one or more dependent clauses for nuanced expression. For example, "I revised my essay, and I submitted it after I double-checked my references." The University of Michigan's writing resources show that mastering this form elevates your grammar skills to the next level.
Mastering Punctuation for Clarity -
Proper punctuation is key: place a comma before the coordinating conjunction in compound sentences and avoid commas when a dependent clause follows an independent clause. For instance, "We discussed the article because it was timely, and we shared our insights." The Chicago Manual of Style highlights this rule as essential for clear compound and complex sentences practice.
