Simple, Complex & Compound Sentences

Transformation of Sentence – Simple, Complex & Compound (The Basics)

What are Simple,Compound and Complex sentences and how are they constructed?

Sentences are of three kinds according to their structure – Simple, Complex and Compound.

A simple sentence has only one main clause.

A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more sub-ordinate clause dependent on that main clause.

A compound sentence has at least two main or independent clauses (called co-ordinate clauses) and may or may not have sub-ordinate clause.

**To know about Clauses(independent and subordinate clauses), Click on this link👇

Let us look at some examples:- 

Simple: Despite his illness, Rohit attended the class.

Complex: Though Rohit was ill, he attended the class.

Compound: Rohit was ill, but he attended the class.

“Despite his illness” is not a clause as it has no finite verb. It is a phrase.

“Though” is a sub-ordinate conjunction. A sub-ordinate conjunction connects a sub-clause to the main clause. A sub-ordinate clause begins with a sub-ordinate conjunction.

“But” is a co-ordinate conjunction. A co-ordinate conjunction connects two or more similar clauses, but it not being part of clauses, remains independent.

So, whenever you need to make a complex sentence use a sub-ordinate conjunction and to make a compound sentence use a co-ordinate conjunction. Given below are the lists of commonly used conjunctions. 

**To know more about Conjunctions and it's types, Click on this link 👇

https://conjunctions-types-with-examples

Sub-ordinate Conjunctions(used to construct Complex Sentences):-

That: Everyone in the class knows that Ram is a very talented boy. 

Though: Though he worked hard, he failed to win the race.

Although: Although it was hard, he did it.

As (manner): Do as you like.

As (reason) As she studied hard, she passed the examination.

As (after adjective, means ‘though’): Poor as he is, he is honest.

Because: I am feeling very tired because I've been busy preparing for the party the whole day. 

Since (reason): Since it’s too late, we cannot go for the movie.

When: I was talking over the phone when he knocked at the door. 

Where: This is the place where I saw him for the last time.

Before: The train had left before we reached the station.

After: He came after I had left the place.

While: Make hay while the sun shines.

Till: Wait here for me till 7 pm.

Until: Do not go out until I return.

If: If you work hard, you’ll surely win the competition.

Unless: Unless you help us, the project would fail.

Lest: The man tried to walk faster, lest he be left behind.

If / Whether: She wanted to know whether (if) I would help her with the publication of her book.

So that: Keep the doors and windows open so that fresh air can circulate in the room.

In order that: He worked hard in order that he could pass the test.

So … that: This bag is so heavy that I cannot lift it. 

As … as: Sheila is as good a dancer as her sister.

So … as: Sam is not so strong as Daniel.

As soon as: As soon as I saw the snake, I started screaming.

No sooner … than: No sooner did I see the snake than I started screaming.

Hardly … when: Hardly had we left the house when it started raining.

The more … the more: The more he gets, the more he wants.

Co-ordinate Conjunctions(used to construct Compound Sentences):-

And: He came and he conquered.

But: She is poor but honest.

Or: Work hard or you will fail.

And so: He tried hard and so he succeeded.

Yet: Life is full of tears, yet none wishes to die.

Still: He worked hard, still he failed.

Otherwise: Be attentive, otherwise you’ll not be able to understand the lesson.

While: He failed while his brother passed.

Whereas: He is rich whereas his brother is poor.

Both … and: Both Ram and his brother are intelligent.

As well as: Salome as well as her brother is honest.

Either … or: She is either going to choose the red dress or theblack one.

Neither … nor: He is neither good in studies nor in sports.

Not only … but also: He is not only a teacher but also an author.

Now, that we have learnt about the construction of complex and compound sentences, let us now look into the structure of the simple sentence.

Elements to make Simple Sentences:

Present Participle (Verb + ing):

Opening the drawer, he took out the packet.

Having our dinner, we went to bed.

Past Participle (Verb3):

We were enjoying the song sung by the bauls.

A book written by Ratanlal won the national award.

Perfect Participle (having/being + Verb3):

Being punished by the principal, the boy left the school.

Having finished my task, I went to sleep.

Infinitive (To + Verb):

He is not afraid to speak the truth.

The bag is too heavy for me to lift.

He had been working hard to score big in the final.

Gerund (V+ing as a noun) / Preposition + Gerund:

On hearing a noise, he woke up.

Seeing is believing.

Preposition + Noun (or noun phrase):

In spite of his illness, he attended the class.

I couldn’t attend the class for my illness.

Besides getting him a job, they also built a house for him.

Absolute Phrase (Noun + Participle):

The sun having risen, the fox disappeared.

The match being abandoned, we left the field disheartened.

Phrase in Apposition (two noun phrases side by side referring to the same person or thing):

Tom, my faithful dog, always accompanies me.

Rimi, my sister, likes ice-cream.

Now that we know how simple, complex and compound sentences are constructed, let us look at the rule for transformation one kind of sentence to the other:-

Click here to go to the rules 👇