Looking to make your writing more interesting? These Compound-Complex Sentence Worksheets are just what you need! With fun and clear activities, you’ll get to practice joining ideas together in new ways. Whether you’re combining short sentences or building longer ones with more detail, these worksheets will help you write smoothly and confidently.
Compound-Complex Sentence Worksheets
1. Combine the following clauses into a compound-complex sentence using the correct punctuation and conjunctions. Make sure your sentence includes at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
Sample Answer Key
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Because the exam was difficult, she studied all night, but she still felt nervous.
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Although the sun was shining earlier, it started raining, so we didn’t go to the beach.
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While we’re on vacation, I enjoy hiking, but my brother prefers biking.
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After his guests left, he cleaned the kitchen, and he vacuumed the floor.
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Though I checked my phone later, I was in a meeting, and I missed your call.
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They stayed up late, and they finished their science project because it was due the next day.
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If your homework is finished, you can come with us, or you can stay home.
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Since we planned a picnic, she brought snacks, and he brought drinks.
2. Read each sentence carefully. If it is a compound-complex sentence, write ✔ (Yes). If not, write ✘ (No).
Answer key:
| # | Sentence | Compound-Complex? |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | I washed the dishes, and my brother cleaned the floor while our parents relaxed. | ✔ Yes |
| 2 | She was late to school because she missed the bus. | ✘ No (Complex) |
| 3 | Although he was tired, he went to the gym, and he worked out for an hour. | ✔ Yes |
| 4 | They wanted to leave early, but the meeting lasted longer than expected. | ✘ No (Compound) |
| 5 | We stayed inside because it was raining, and we watched a movie together. | ✔ Yes |
| 6 | If you want to succeed, you must work hard. | ✘ No (Complex) |
| 7 | My sister cooked dinner, and I washed the dishes afterward. | ✘ No (Compound) |
| 8 | When the show ended, the crowd cheered, and everyone clapped loudly. | ✔ Yes |
| 9 | She reads every night before bed. | ✘ No (Simple) |
| 10 | I will help you with your project if you finish your part, and we can present it together. | ✔ Yes |
Compound-Complex Sentence Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Direction
Fill in each blank with the correct coordinating or subordinating conjunction from the word bank to complete the compound-complex sentence.
Word Bank
although because while if when so but and even though unless
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I couldn’t sleep last night ______ I had too much coffee, ______ I still woke up early.
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She wanted to go outside ______ it was snowing, ______ her mom told her to wait.
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We can visit the museum ______ it’s open, ______ we might go to the zoo instead.
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He studied hard for the test ______ he wanted to get a good grade, ______ he was nervous.
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I was doing my homework ______ my sister was watching TV, ______ I managed to finish.
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You won’t improve ______ you practice every day, ______ you’ll fall behind.
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______ it was late, we kept talking, ______ we were both tired.
Answer Key
| # | Correct Sentence (Conjunctions in Bold) |
|---|---|
| 1 | I couldn’t sleep last night because I had too much coffee, but I still woke up early. |
| 2 | She wanted to go outside even though it was snowing, but her mom told her to wait. |
| 3 | We can visit the museum if it’s open, or we might go to the zoo instead. |
| 4 | He studied hard for the test because he wanted to get a good grade, but he was nervous. |
| 5 | I was doing my homework while my sister was watching TV, but I managed to finish. |
| 6 | You won’t improve unless you practice every day, and you’ll fall behind. |
| 7 | Although it was late, we kept talking, and we were both tired. |
Exercise 2: Correct the Mistake Worksheet
Direction
Each sentence below contains a mistake in the use of compound-complex sentence structure. Read each sentence carefully and rewrite it correctly.
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Although she was late, but she still finished the exam on time, and she didn’t complain.
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I went to the store, and I forgot my wallet because I was rushing.
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He likes football, he doesn’t enjoy playing in the rain if it’s cold.
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When I called her, and she didn’t answer the phone, I left a message.
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Unless you leave now, you will miss the train, and it will be your fault.
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While we were eating dinner we heard a loud noise, and the dog started barking.
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They stayed inside because it rained, but played video games all day.
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If you study hard, and you focus, you can pass the test, you will feel more confident.
Answer key:
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Although she was late, she still finished the exam on time, and she didn’t complain.
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I went to the store because I was rushing, but I forgot my wallet.
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He likes football, but he doesn’t enjoy playing in the rain if it’s cold.
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When I called her, she didn’t answer the phone, and I left a message.
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Unless you leave now, you will miss the train, and it will be your fault.
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While we were eating dinner, we heard a loud noise, and the dog started barking.
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They stayed inside because it rained, and they played video games all day.
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If you study hard and focus, you can pass the test, and you will feel more confident.
Exercise 3: Write Compound-Complex Sentence
Direction
Combine the three sentence parts into one correct compound-complex sentence using appropriate conjunctions and punctuation. Each set includes two independent clauses and one dependent clause.
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He missed the train.
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He was late for work.
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Because he overslept.
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I enjoy painting.
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My sister prefers dancing.
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Although we both love art.
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We went to the park.
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It started raining.
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While we were eating lunch.
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You must study.
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You will fail the test.
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If you don’t understand the material.
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She stayed up all night.
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She finished her assignment.
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Since it was due the next morning.
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The power went out.
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We lit candles.
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After the thunderstorm began.
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He can come with us.
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He can stay home.
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Unless he finishes his chores.
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The kids were playing soccer.
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The parents were watching nearby.
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While the sun was setting.
Sample Answer Key
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Because he overslept, he missed the train, and he was late for work.
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Although we both love art, I enjoy painting, and my sister prefers dancing.
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While we were eating lunch, we went to the park, and it started raining.
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If you don’t understand the material, you must study, or you will fail the test.
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Since it was due the next morning, she stayed up all night, and she finished her assignment.
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After the thunderstorm began, the power went out, and we lit candles.
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Unless he finishes his chores, he can’t come with us, or he can stay home.
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While the sun was setting, the kids were playing soccer, and the parents were watching nearby.
Learn more: Compound-Complex Sentence