What term describes sentences that have a main clause and at least one subordinate clause?

• A. Complex Sentences
• B. Simple Sentences
• C. Compound Sentences
• D. Prepositions

Answer: (A)

Understanding sentence structure with independent and subordinate clauses is being tested. A complex sentence includes one main clause that can stand alone and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause that cannot stand alone and relies on the main clause for meaning. For example: "Although she was tired, she finished her report." Here, "she finished her report" is the main clause, and "Although she was tired" is the subordinate clause. Because a complex sentence requires both parts, this term fits best. A simple sentence has only one independent clause and no subordinate clause; a compound sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a conjunction; a preposition is a word class, not a sentence type.