Transformation of SENTENCES : SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX
Quick definition of Clause:Clause is a part of a sentence.A sentence may be made up of one or more clauses.
Main Clause:When in a sentence each Clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by itself as a separate sentence and Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the same order or rank, it is called a Principal or Main Clause.
Dependent/Subordinate Clause: When in a sentence a clause does not make good sense by itself, and hence could not stand by itself as a separate sentence,it is called a Dependent or Subordinate clause.
We will make it more clear as we explain through example in the later part.
Now let’s go to SENTENCES : SIMPLE, COMPOUND, AND COMPLEX
To understand these three kinds of sentences,let’s examine the following sentences first:-
1. Jerry’s courage awarded him praise.
2. The star was bright and we could see our way.
3. Night came on and rain fell heavily and we all got very wet.
4. They rested when evening came.
5. As the fighters advanced, the men said they would not allow them to
fight.
6. Anny called at 5.30 and I told him that you had gone out.
We see that sentence 1 has only one Subject and one Predicate, Such a sentence is called
a Simple Sentence.
Def: - A Simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate.
[Or] A simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate.
Next, sentence 2 consists of two parts :
(i) The star was bright.
(ii) We could sec our way.
These two parts are joined by the Co-ordinating Conjunction and.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own. Each part is what we call a
Clause.
We further notice that each Clause makes good sense by itself, and hence could stand by
itself as a separate sentence. Each Clause is therefore independent of the other or of the
same order or rank, and is called a Principal or Main Clause.
A sentence, such as the second, which is made up of Principal or Main Clauses, is called
a Compound Sentence.
Sentence 3 consists of three Clauses of the same order or rank. In other words, sentence 3
consists of three Principal or Main Clauses, viz:
(i) Night came on
(ii) Rain fell heavily
(iii) We all got very wet. Such a sentence is also called a Compound sentence.
Def:- A Compound sentence is one made up of two or more Principal or Main Clauses.
Sentence 4 consists of two parts:-
(i) They rested.
(ii) When evening came.
Each part contains a Subject and a Predicate of its own, and forms part of a large
sentence. Each part is therefore a Clause.
We further notice that the Clause, They rested, makes good sense by itself, and hence
could stand by itself as a complete sentence. It is therefore called the Principal or Main
Clause.
The Clause, when evening came, cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is
dependent on the Clause, they rested. It is therefore called a Dependent or Subordinate
Clause.
A sentence, such as the fourth, is called a Complex Sentence.
Sentence 5 consists of three Clauses:-
(i) The people said. (Main Clause).
(ii) As the boxers advanced into the ring. (Subordinate Adverb Clause.)
(iii) They would not allow them to fight. (Subordinate Noun Clause.)
Such a sentence is also called a Complex sentence.
Def:- A Complex sentence consists of one Main Clause and one or more Subordinate
Clauses.
Quick quiz:
Sentence 6 consists of three Clauses:-
(i) Anil called at 5.30 (Main Clause)
(ii) I mid him (Main Clause)
(iii) That you had gone out (Subordinate Noun Clause)
What type of sentence is this then?
Ans:
Quick test:
State which of the following sentences are Compound, and which are Complex.
1. The horse reared and the rider was thrown.
2. Walk quickly, else you will not overtake him.
3. The town in which I live is very large.
4. I called him, but he gave me no answer.
5. I agree to your proposals, for I think them reasonable.
6. I went because I was invited.
7. Either he is drowned or some passing ship has saved him.
8. 1 returned home because I was tired.
9. They always talk who never think.
10. He came oftener than we expected.
Ans:
Next: Rules of transformation simple-complex-compound!Click here