Which term describes a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause?

Which term describes a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause?

• A. Simple Sentence
• B. Compound Sentence
• C. Complex Sentence
• D. Run-On Sentence

Answer: (C)

Clause structure determines sentence type: a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause is a complex sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and begins with a word like because, although, since, when, or a relative pronoun, adding information to the main idea. The combination shows a main idea plus additional detail that relies on the main clause to complete the meaning. For example, in a sentence such as “We left early because the meeting ran long,” the part “We left early” can stand alone, while “because the meeting ran long” cannot by itself; together they form a complex sentence. This structure matches the description in the question, so the term that describes it is complex sentence. Other types either have no dependent clauses (simple) or have multiple independent clauses without dependent ones (compound), and a run-on is a punctuation error rather than a true sentence type.

Clause structure determines sentence type: a sentence with one independent clause and at least one dependent clause is a complex sentence. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and begins with a word like because, although, since, when, or a relative pronoun, adding information to the main idea. The combination shows a main idea plus additional detail that relies on the main clause to complete the meaning. For example, in a sentence such as “We left early because the meeting ran long,” the part “We left early” can stand alone, while “because the meeting ran long” cannot by itself; together they form a complex sentence. This structure matches the description in the question, so the term that describes it is complex sentence. Other types either have no dependent clauses (simple) or have multiple independent clauses without dependent ones (compound), and a run-on is a punctuation error rather than a true sentence type.