COMPLETE GUIDE: Complex → Compound →
Simple
MASTER SHORTCUT RULE
• Complex = Subordinator + Clause (when, because, if, though, who…)
• Compound = Coordinator (and / but / so / yet)
• Simple = Phrase only (no subordinator, no extra clause)
WORKED EXAMPLES
Complex: When the bell rang, the class started.
Compound: The bell rang, and the class started.
Simple: On the ringing of the bell, the class started.
Complex: Because he was ill, he could not come.
Compound: He was ill, so he could not come.
Simple: Because of his illness, he could not come.
Complex: If you work hard, you will succeed.
Compound: Work hard, and you will succeed.
Simple: By working hard, you will succeed.
Complex: Though he is poor, he is honest.
Compound: He is poor, but he is honest.
Simple: In spite of his poverty, he is honest.
Complex: He studied hard so that he might pass.
Compound: He studied hard, so he passed.
Simple: He studied hard to pass.
Complex: The boy who is brave won the prize.
Compound: The boy is brave, and he won the prize.
Simple: The brave boy won the prize.
Complex: When the rain stopped, we went out.
Compound: The rain stopped, and we went out.
Simple: After the rain stopped, we went out.
Complex: Though she was tired, she continued her work.
Compound: She was tired, but she continued her work.
Simple: In spite of her tiredness, she continued her work.
PRACTICE SET (Convert into Compound & Simple)
1 1. When the teacher entered the class, the students stood up.
2 2. Because it was raining, the match was postponed.
3 3. If you follow the rules, you will succeed.
4 4. Though he is rich, he is humble.
5 5. When the sun set, the birds returned home.
6 6. Because she was careless, she failed.
7 7. If you do not hurry, you will miss the train.
8 8. Though the road was bad, we reached safely.
9 9. The man who is honest is respected.
10 10. He worked hard so that he could win the prize.
FINAL EXAM TIP
• Complex → find subordinator first
• Compound → remove subordinator, add and/but/so
• Simple → change clause into noun/gerund phrase