What distinguishes a complex compound sentence from a simple sentence?

A complex compound sentence is characterized by the inclusion of at least one dependent clause, which is integral to its structure. In contrast to a simple sentence, which contains only one independent clause and conveys a single complete thought, a complex compound sentence combines multiple thought processes.

The presence of a dependent clause enriches the sentence by adding information that cannot stand alone as a complete thought. This dependency distinguishes it from a simple sentence, which lacks additional clauses. Additionally, while a compound sentence may consist solely of independent clauses, a complex compound sentence specifically requires the combination of at least one dependent clause with independent clauses, thereby creating a more intricate and informative sentence structure. This characteristic is what differentiates complex sentences from both simple and compound sentences.