Western Governors University (WGU) BUS2600 C716 Business Communication Practice Exam

A complex sentence is characterized by having at least one independent clause and one dependent clause. The independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, expressing a complete thought. In contrast, the dependent clause cannot stand alone and relies on the independent clause to provide context and meaning.

For example, in the sentence "Although it was raining, we went for a walk," "Although it was raining" is the dependent clause, and "we went for a walk" is the independent clause. This structure allows for the expression of more nuanced ideas, connecting thoughts in a way that simple sentences cannot achieve.

Understanding this structure is crucial for effective communication, as it enables the writer to convey complex ideas and relationships between concepts.