How do complex sentences work?

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Complex sentences consist of a dependent (a clause that cannot stand alone as a sentence) and an independent clause. They are great for showing a hierarchical relationship between two heavily linked ideas. Commonly (but not exclusively), a participle (often, the –ing or -ed part of the verb) is used to introduce a dependent clause.
Note: whilst compound sentences cannot be reversed, complex sentences often can (with adaptation).

Complex Sentence	After	the probe	is placed	in the cylinder,	it	is used	to measure the flow.
SFL description	Circumstance	Participant	Process	Circumstance	Participant	Process	Circumstance
TG description	Subordinating conjunction indicating dependent clause	Subject Definite Article, Noun	Finite, passive verb	Adverbial clause of location	Pronoun	Finite verb	Verb in the infinitive, object noun clause, independent noun clause
				Up to the comma is a dependent clause