A compound-complex sentence is composed of a compound sentence with two or more main clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

• When Jesse reached home, mother had already cooked and dinner was ready.

Main clauses: Mother had already cooked, dinner was ready

Subordinate clause: When Jesse reached home

• Kristine laughs aloud but Robbie cries bitterly, while their little brother looks at them wonderingly.

Main clauses: Kristine laughs aloud, Robbie cries bitterly

Subordinate clause: while their little brother looks at them wonderingly