CBSE Class 7 Answered

To understand compound-complex sentences let us first learn the elements which form it clearly.

Independent and dependent clauses

An independent clause is a clause which has complete meaning and can thus stand by itself.

Example:

Though he knew the facts, the boy shrunk in fear.

Fearing her forgetfulness, she made a note of it.

When the table moved, the water in the jug spilled.

The clauses marked in bold do not need the clauses preceding them to complete their meaning. These clauses are independent clauses.

A dependent clause on the other hand may have a subject and a predicate but does not have complete meaning and cannot stand by itself. It (as the name suggests) depends on the main/ independent clause to complete its meaning.

Example:

Though he knew the facts, the boy shrunk in fear.

Fearing her forgetfulness, she made a note of it.

When the table moved, the water in the jug spilled.

The clauses marked in bold are dependent on the clauses which follow them to complete their meaning. These clauses are dependent clauses.

Compound and complex sentence

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses.

Example: She read the notice and made a note of it.

Independent clause 1: She read the notice

Independent clause 2: (She) made a note of it.

A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause along with one or more dependent clauses.

Example: Having read the notice she made a note of it.

Independent clause: she made a note of it.

Dependent clause: Having read the notice

A compound-complex sentence is a combination of both the compound sentence and the complex sentence. It made up of two independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Ex 1: If she is reappointed, she will serve the office for another two years and she will make more radical changes to the system.

Independent clause 1: she will serve the office for another two years

Independent clause 2: she will make more radical changes to the system.

Dependent clause: If she is reappointed

Ex 2: When the bells rang, the door of the court opened and the jury entered

Independent clause 1: the door of the court opened

Independent clause 2: the jury entered

Dependent clause: When the bells rang

Ex 3: Since they were late for the movie they cancelled the plan and they went to have dinner at a local restaurant.

Independent clause 1: they cancelled the plan

Independent clause 2: they went to have dinner at a local restaurant.

Dependent clause: Since they were late for the movie