Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

What does a complex sentence contain?

1. At least two independent clauses

2. A main clause with a subordinate clause

3. A subject and a predicate only

4. A compound construction

The correct answer is: A main clause with a subordinate clause

A complex sentence is characterized by its structure, which includes a main clause and at least one subordinate clause. The main clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence, while the subordinate clause adds additional information but cannot stand alone; it depends on the main clause for its meaning. This combination allows for more nuanced and sophisticated expression in writing, enabling the writer to indicate relationships between different ideas or actions. In contrast, options that suggest a complex sentence contains two independent clauses or only a subject and predicate would be incomplete or incorrect. Additionally, the notion of a compound construction refers to a sentence that contains multiple independent clauses, which does not align with the definition of a complex sentence. Thus, recognizing that a complex sentence consists of a main clause along with at least one subordinate clause is key to understanding its structure.