Which of these are compound-complex sentences?

Question:

Which of these are compound-complex sentences? Check all that apply.

• Dave has some extra money, so he is going to the store where Rahim works.
• Whoever has time can help you with your homework this evening.
• The rice and beans, which I reheated in the microwave, are ready now.
• The movie ends before you learn who committed the crime, but I know who did it.
• If you want to go to the park, give me a call, and I’ll meet you there.

Answer Description:

To determine which sentences are compound-complex, it’s important to understand that a compound-complex sentence contains at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause.

Here’s an analysis of the provided sentences:

1. Dave has some extra money, so he is going to the store where Rahim works.
   • Compound-Complex Sentence: This sentence has two independent clauses (“Dave has some extra money” and “he is going to the store”) and one dependent clause (“where Rahim works”). The independent clauses are connected by the coordinating conjunction “so,” making this a compound-complex sentence.
2. Whoever has time can help you with your homework this evening.
   • Complex Sentence: This sentence has one independent clause (“can help you with your homework this evening”) and one dependent clause (“Whoever has time”). It is not compound because it only has one independent clause.
3. The rice and beans, which I reheated in the microwave, are ready now.
   • Complex Sentence: This sentence contains one independent clause (“The rice and beans are ready now”) and one dependent clause (“which I reheated in the microwave”). It is a complex sentence, not compound-complex, because it does not have two independent clauses.
4. The movie ends before you learn who committed the crime, but I know who did it.
   • Compound-Complex Sentence: This sentence has two independent clauses (“The movie ends” and “I know who did it”) and two dependent clauses (“before you learn who committed the crime” and “who did it”). The conjunction “but” links the independent clauses, making it a compound-complex sentence.
5. If you want to go to the park, give me a call, and I’ll meet you there.
   • Compound-Complex Sentence: This sentence has two independent clauses (“give me a call” and “I’ll meet you there”) and one dependent clause (“If you want to go to the park”). The independent clauses are linked by the coordinating conjunction “and,” making this a compound-complex sentence.

Correct Answers:

• Dave has some extra money, so he is going to the store where Rahim works.
• The movie ends before you learn who committed the crime, but I know who did it.
• If you want to go to the park, give me a call, and I’ll meet you there.