A complex sentence contains at least two clauses. The main clause carries the central idea and can exist alone. The subordinate clause depends on it and cannot function alone. In I think that you are coming tomorrow, I think is the main clause and that you are coming tomorrow is the subordinate clause. The subordinate clause completes, clarifies or develops the main clause, as in Subordination Conjunctions where it is introduced by a subordinating word. To spot it, look for the verb of each verbal group and ask if the clause keeps autonomous meaning. If it needs another piece of the sentence to be complete, it’s a subordinate clause.

Two clauses can be linked by a coordinating conjunction or by an appropriate linking word depending on the logical relation. and adds information, but opposes two ideas, or presents a choice. Other linking words organize the relation between the clauses, such as therefore, because, then, next. In He wanted to leave, but he waited, the second clause opposes the first. With I’ll come early, because I’m tired, the second clause gives the cause. The choice of the link depends on the relation between the ideas, not only on the presence of two verbs. This structure also prepares the use of Subordination Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns , which serve to join the clauses in another way.

etoumaiscarnidoncorpuis

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Propose un choix entre deux possibilitésDonne une explication ou une causeExprime une conséquence logiqueMarque une opposition entre deux idéesIndique une suite dans le temps ou dans les actionsAjoute une négation à une autre idée négativeIntroduit une précision qui change la situationAjoute une information sans opposer les idées

Common links between two clauses

Word	Definition
et	Adds information without opposing ideas.
mais	Marks an opposition between two ideas.
ou	Offers a choice between two possibilities.
donc	Expresses a logical consequence.
car	Gives an explanation or a cause.
puis	Indicates a sequence in time or in actions.
or	Introduces a clarification that changes the situation.
ni	Adds a negation to another negative idea.

Scramble

Two independent clauses coordinated keep their autonomy. and, but and or place them on the same level, without a dependency relation. In The train arrives and the bus leaves, each clause could form a complete sentence. Coordination juxtaposes two facts, two actions or two alternatives. The order of the clauses often follows logical or chronological order, but none commands the other. This structure is chosen when you want to bring together ideas of equal grammatical value, without turning one into a complement of the other.

Coordination between independent clauses

Idea
Two propositions are independent when each can form a complete sentence.
The conjunction and adds an idea without a hierarchy between the two clauses.
The conjunction but connects two clauses that oppose.
The conjunction or presents two clauses as a choice.
The comma can separate two coordinated clauses when the sentence remains clear.

A relative clause follows a noun and specifies it. The noun it refers to is called the antecedent. In The book that I bought is expensive, the book is the antecedent and that I bought is the relative clause. The relative clause adds identification, description or localization information. It depends on the noun it completes, like a more precise adjective. Most of the time, it starts with a relative pronoun, especially in Relative Pronouns . The position of the relative clause is directly after the antecedent, which allows you to immediately know which noun it develops.

Relative that specifies a noun already mentioned

Idea
A relative clause completes a noun called antecedent.
The relative pronoun introduces the relative clause.
The relative adds information about the noun without starting a new sentence.
The antecedent is located before the relative pronoun.
We use the relative to identify or specify a person, an object or a place.

In a relative clause, the relative pronoun replaces an element already present in the subordinate clause. It can refer to the subject, the direct object, or an object introduced by a preposition. In The woman who speaks is my neighbor, who replaces the subject of speaks. In The movie that we’re watching is long, that replaces the direct object of watching. The relative pronoun avoids repeating the noun in the subordinate clause and clearly links the two clauses. The choice of the pronoun depends on the grammatical function of the element replaced, as in Relative Pronouns .

Function of the relative pronoun in the subordinate clause

Idea
Who generally replaces the subject of the relative clause.
That generally replaces the direct object of the relative clause.
Dont often replaces a complement introduced by de.
Where replaces a place or a moment in the relative clause.
The choice of pronoun depends on the function of the noun replaced in the subclause.

A complement clause completes a verb, a noun or an adjective that calls for a subordinate clause. It often plays the role of object or complement of a word. In I believe that you are right, that you are right completes the verb believe. In The idea that you will leave tomorrow surprises me, the complement clause completes the noun idea. In I’m glad that you’re coming, it completes the adjective glad. The word that governs it determines its presence and introduction. This dependency follows the logic of Subordination Conjunctions , because the complement clause is linked to the main clause by a subordinating word.

Complement clause required by an introductory word

Idea
A complement clause completes a verb that requires it.
A complement clause can also complete a specific noun.
A complement clause can follow an adjective that asks for a specification.
The introductory word is often that in a complement clause.
The complement clause answers a grammatical expectation of the preceding word.

An ideational circumstantial clause adds a cause, purpose, time or condition idea to the main clause. It answers the questions why, for what purpose, when or under what condition. In I stay because it’s raining, the subordinate clause gives the cause. In He works so that we notice him, it expresses the purpose. In When you arrive, call me, it indicates the time. In If you want, we’ll leave, it states the condition. The relationship between the two clauses is clear thanks to the subordinating word, which belongs to the Subordination Conjunctions .

Uses of circumstantial subordinate clauses

Usage	Explanation
Cause	It is used to say for what reason an action occurs.
Purpose	It is used to say for what objective an action is done.
Time	It is used to situate an action in time.
Condition	It is used to say what must happen for the action to take place.

In speech and in some literary texts, the usual order can change. The subject can come after the verb in an inversion, especially with there you go, here it is, perhaps, or in questions. You also encounter ellipses, when an element already evident is omitted. In No problem, the verb is absent, but the meaning remains clear thanks to the context. Some subordinate clauses appear in reduced form, with a verb in the infinitive or the participle, instead of a complete clause. These forms keep the logical connection of the sentence while lightening the expression. To recover the basic structure, you must reconstruct the order of the elements studied in Word Order .