ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-001 · ATLAS 259

Complex sentence

A complex sentence contains a superordinate clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Part of the subject path Syntax and Grammar

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Complex sentence is needed to distinguish clause linking by embedding from coordination. Dependency must remain grammatically demonstrable rather than inferred from the sentence's length.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A complex sentence contains a superordinate clause and at least one subordinate clause. Structural dependence matters, rather than length or punctuation alone. Subordinate clauses can serve different functions and contain further embeddings. In the context of hypotaxis, the term shows how one proposition incorporates another as a condition, reason or specification. Such structural hierarchies need not rank the information by importance. The German label is used here for subordination; extending the analysis to other languages requires appropriate structural criteria.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the clauses. 2. Determine dependencies. 3. Assign functions. 4. Check further embeddings. 5. Compare structure with informational importance.

Scientific use case

Text analysis can examine which relations are explicitly marked through subordination.

Example

“Mira stays because the train is cancelled” combines a superordinate clause with a subordinate reason clause.

Counterexample

“Mira stays and Nils leaves” contains multiple clauses but initially displays coordination.

Distinction

Distinguish subordination from coordination, sentence length and informational importance.

Effect on thought and perception

Complex sentences organise propositions through dependencies.

Resonance

One thought carries another within its own form.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Complex sentence“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-001. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-001

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-001

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.