Simple to Complex

Simple and Complex sentences are two different types of sentence structures based on the number and kind of clauses they contain.

1. Simple Sentence:

A simple sentence consists of just one independent clause (a complete thought). It has a subject and a predicate (verb) and expresses a complete idea.

• e.g.: She loves books.

A simple sentence can have compound subjects, verbs, or objects, but it still contains only one independent clause.

• e.g.: Tom and Jerry ran fast.

Definition from Other Sources:

Merriam-Webster defines a simple sentence as "a sentence that contains one independent clause and expresses a complete thought."

2. Complex Sentence:

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. The dependent clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.

• e.g.: Although it was raining, she went for a walk.

In complex sentences, the dependent clause is often introduced by subordinating conjunctions like "because," "although," "if," or "while."

Definition from Other Sources:

Oxford English Dictionary defines a complex sentence as "a sentence that consists of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected by subordinating conjunctions."

In summary:

• Simple Sentence: One independent clause, expressing a complete thought.
• Complex Sentence: One independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Dependent clauses (also known as subordinate clauses) cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because they rely on an independent clause to give them meaning. Dependent clauses can function in different ways, depending on their role in a sentence. Here are the types of dependent clauses:

1. Noun Clause

A noun clause functions as a noun in a sentence. It can act as a subject, object, or complement.

Example:

What you said was surprising.
Here, the noun clause "What you said" acts as the subject.

2. Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)

An adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It usually begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).

Example:

The book that you gave me is interesting.
Here, the adjective clause "that you gave me" modifies the noun "book."

3. Adverbial Clause

An adverbial clause modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the main clause. It provides information about time, reason, condition, manner, or place, and typically begins with subordinating conjunctions like because, although, if, when, while, until, etc.

Example:

She sang because she was happy.
Here, the adverbial clause "because she was happy" tells us the reason why she sang.

4. Conditional Clause

A conditional clause expresses a condition or situation that must be met for something else to happen. These clauses are often introduced by "if" or "unless".

Example:

If it rains, we will stay home.
"If it rains" is the conditional clause expressing the condition.

5. Comparative Clause

A comparative clause is used to compare two things or actions. It typically begins with "than" or "as".

Example:

She is taller than I am.
"Than I am" is the comparative clause making the comparison.

6. Relative Clause

A relative clause is similar to an adjective clause, as it modifies a noun or pronoun. However, relative clauses specifically provide additional information about the noun they modify and start with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, which, that).

Example:

The man who called you is waiting outside.
"Who called you" is the relative clause that describes "the man."

Each type of dependent clause serves a specific function in a sentence, and understanding these can help in creating more complex and detailed sentences.

Converting a simple sentence into a complex sentence in English involves combining a main clause (independent clause) with one or more dependent clauses (subordinate clauses). These dependent clauses add more information to the main clause.

Here are some steps and examples to help you understand how to convert a simple sentence into a complex sentence:

1. Identify the Simple Sentence: A simple sentence consists of a subject and a predicate, expressing a complete thought. For example:

• Simple Sentence: She reads books.

2. Add a Dependent Clause: A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence and depends on the main clause. It typically starts with subordinating conjunctions like because, although, if, when, while, since, etc.

3. Combine the Clauses: Combine the simple sentence with the dependent clause to form a complex sentence.

Example Transformations:

• Simple: I went to the market.
• Complex: I went to the market because I needed some groceries.
• Simple: She was happy.
• Complex: She was happy because she passed the exam.
• Simple: The sun was shining.
• Complex: The sun was shining when we went for a walk.
• Simple: He finished his homework.
• Complex: He finished his homework before he went out to play.
• Simple: It started raining.
• Complex: It started raining after we left the house.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

• Time-related: when, while, after, before, until, as soon as
• Cause and Effect: because, since, as
• Condition: if, unless
• Contrast: although, though, even though
• Purpose: so that, in order that

Conjunctions are used to join words, phrases, or clauses in a sentence, helping to form complex sentences. A complex sentence consists of one main (independent) clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause.

Here are some exercises where you can practice using conjunctions to form complex sentences:

Conjunctions to Use:

• 1. because
• 2. although
• 3. since
• 4. if
• 5. unless
• 6. while
• 7. when
• 8. after
• 9. before
• 10. even though

Exercise 1: Combine the sentences using the appropriate conjunction.

• 1. I stayed at home. It was raining outside.
• 2. She studied hard. She passed the exam with flying colors.
• 3. He didn't like the movie. He watched it till the end.
• 4. You should wear a jacket. It's cold outside.
• 5. I will help you. You ask me for it.
• 6. The teacher gave us homework. It was a long weekend.
• 7. I went for a walk. It started raining.
• 8. I will call you. I reach home.
• 9. She was tired. She kept working.
• 10. You can't enter the room. You don't have permission.

Example:

Simple sentences: I stayed at home. It was raining outside. Complex sentence: I stayed at home because it was raining outside.

Here are some exercises where you can combine sentences using subordination:

Exercise 1: Combine the following sentences using subordination (using conjunctions like because, although, since, if, while, etc.).

• 1. I didn’t go to the party. I was feeling sick.
• 2. She studied hard. She wanted to pass the exam.
• 3. The children were playing in the garden. It was raining.
• 4. We will go to the beach. The weather is nice.
• 5. He didn’t have enough money. He couldn’t buy the phone.
• 6. I’ll call you. I reach home.
• 7. She was upset. She lost her favorite book.
• 8. The movie was exciting. The plot was predictable.
• 9. He enjoys hiking. He prefers nature to city life.
• 10. I will stay home. It’s too late to go out.

Example:

• Simple Sentences: I didn’t go to the party. I was feeling sick.
• Combined Using Subordination: I didn’t go to the party because I was feeling sick.

Here are some practice exercises where you can transform simple sentences into complex sentences:

Exercise 1: Transform the following simple sentences into complex sentences.

• 1. She is reading a book.
• 2. He went to the market.
• 3. I like to play football.
• 4. They are traveling to Paris.
• 5. We visited the museum yesterday.
• 6. The sun is shining brightly.
• 7. She studies every night.
• 8. I saw him at the park.
• 9. The teacher is explaining the lesson.
• 10. He eats breakfast early.

Example:

• Simple: I like to play football.
• Complex: I like to play football because it helps me stay fit.

Using subordinating conjunctions helps to connect a dependent (subordinate) clause with an independent (main) clause, which can turn a simple sentence into a complex sentence. Here are some examples and exercises on how to use subordinating conjunctions:

Subordinating Conjunctions:

• Because
• Although
• If
• Since
• Unless
• While
• As
• When
• Before
• After
• Until
• Even though

Example:

• Simple: I stayed home.
• Complex: I stayed home because it was raining.

Exercise 1: Change the following simple sentences into complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions.

• 1. She went to bed early. She was tired.
• 2. I will go for a walk. It stops raining.
• 3. They ate lunch. They finished their work.
• 4. He was very happy. He received the good news.
• 5. She studied hard. She passed the exam.
• 6. I didn’t understand the question. The teacher explained it.
• 7. We will go on vacation. We save enough money.
• 8. He passed the interview. He was nervous.
• 9. She smiled. She felt happy.
• 10. I will call you. I get home.

Example Answers:

• 1. She went to bed early because she was tired.
• 2. I will go for a walk if it stops raining.
• 3. They ate lunch after they finished their work.
• 4. He was very happy when he received the good news.
• 5. She studied hard so that she passed the exam.

Here are some exercises that gradually move from simple to complex sentences using relative pronouns (who, whom, whose, which, that).

Exercise 1. Simple Sentences: Change the following sentences into ones that use relative pronouns.

• 1. The woman is my teacher. She lives next door.
• 2. The book is on the table. It is about history.
• 3. The dog is barking. It belongs to my neighbor.
• 4. The man is my uncle. He helped me yesterday.
• 5. The car is very expensive. It is parked outside.

Example:

• Simple Sentence: The woman is my teacher. She lives next door.
• Complex Sentence: The woman who lives next door is my teacher.

Exercise 2. Complex Sentences with More Details: Now, let's make the sentences more complex by adding more details with relative pronouns.

• 1. The woman is very kind. She lives next door to me. (Use who)
• 2. The movie was fantastic. It was released last year. (Use which)
• 3. The man is my cousin. I saw him at the party. (Use whom)
• 4. The artist painted a beautiful picture. I met him yesterday. (Use whom)
• 5. The laptop is very expensive. It was given to me as a gift. (Use which)

Example:

Simple Sentence: The woman is very kind. She lives next door to me. Complex Sentence: The woman who lives next door to me is very kind.

Exercise 3. Advanced Complex Sentences: Make the sentences more complex by adding clauses and additional information using relative pronouns.

• 1. The book was fascinating. I bought it yesterday, and it explains the history of ancient Egypt. (Use which)
• 2. The woman helped me in the store. She was very friendly. (Use who)
• 3. The car broke down on the road. It belongs to my brother. (Use which)
• 4. The professor is respected by all his students. He teaches the philosophy course. (Use whom)
• 5. The restaurant serves delicious food. We visited it last week. (Use which)

Example:

• Simple Sentence: The book was fascinating. I bought it yesterday, and it explains the history of ancient Egypt.
• Complex Sentence: The book, which I bought yesterday, was fascinating, and it explains the history of ancient Egypt.

Here are some practice exercises for changing simple sentences into complex sentences:

Exercise 1: Change the following simple sentences into complex sentences.

• 1. She was tired. She continued working.
• 2. The book is on the table. I read it yesterday.
• 3. He is happy. He passed the exam.
• 4. I will go to the market. I need some vegetables.
• 5. They left early. They had an important meeting.
• 6. She was scared. She heard a noise.
• 7. It was raining. We stayed indoors.
• 8. I met him. He is my friend.
• 9. He went to the park. He wanted to exercise.
• 10. The movie was great. I enjoyed it.