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Understanding Complex Sentences

The document discusses different types of complex sentences, including subordinate clauses and participle constructions. It describes several types of subordinate clauses such as noun clauses, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses of time, place, manner, reason, condition, concession, purpose, result, comparison, and participle constructions using present, perfect, and past participles. Complex sentences can be formed by joining subordinate clauses to a main clause with conjunctions or using infinitive or participle constructions. Subordinate clauses add information to the main clause in a sentence to form a complete thought.

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Claudio Colussi
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22 views4 pages

Understanding Complex Sentences

The document discusses different types of complex sentences, including subordinate clauses and participle constructions. It describes several types of subordinate clauses such as noun clauses, relative clauses, and adverbial clauses of time, place, manner, reason, condition, concession, purpose, result, comparison, and participle constructions using present, perfect, and past participles. Complex sentences can be formed by joining subordinate clauses to a main clause with conjunctions or using infinitive or participle constructions. Subordinate clauses add information to the main clause in a sentence to form a complete thought.

Uploaded by

Claudio Colussi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

The complex sentence

Complex sentences can be formed in two ways:


1. by joining subordinate clauses to the main clause with conjunctions:
The alarm was raised (main clause) as soon as the fire was discovered. (subordinate clause)
2. by using infinitive or participle constructions:
To get into university you have to pass a number of examinations.
Seeing the door open, the stranger entered the house.
Subordinate clauses can be classified under three headings:
- noun clauses: He told me that the match had been cancelled.
- relative (or adjectival) clauses: Holiday resorts which are very crowded are not very
pleasant.
- adverbial clauses: However hard I try, I can’t remember people’s names.

Noun clauses
Noun clauses perform the same functions in sentences that nouns do.
I know that the match will be cancelled. (object of a verb)
That money doesn’t grow on trees should be obvious. (subject of a verb)
The fact that his proposal makes sense should be recognized. (after ‘the fact that’ and ‘the idea that’)
I’m afraid (that) we’ve sold out of tickets. (after adjectives describing feelings (e.g. afraid, glad, happy,
pleased, sorry) or certainty (e.g. certain, sure)
That the match will be cancelled is now certain. (subject of be)

Relative clauses
Relative clauses can describe persons, things and events.
There are two kinds of relative clauses in the written language:
1) Without commas (defining clauses) .(essential information)
What kind of government would be popular?
The government which promises to cut taxes.
2) With commas (non-defining clauses). (additional information)
The government, which promises to cut taxes, will be popular.
Form of relative pronouns in relative clauses
Relative pronouns as subject:
People: He is the man who (or that) lives next door.
The astronauts, who are reported to be very cheerful, are expected to land on the moon shortly.
Things: This is the photos which (or that) shows my house.
The Thames, which is now clean enough to swim in, was polluted for over a hundred years.
Possession: He is the man whose car was stolen.
Sally Smiles, whose cosmetics company has been in the news a great deal recently, has resigned as
director.
Relative pronouns as object:
People: He is the man (who/whom/that) I met.
The author of ‘Rebels’, who (m) I met at a party last week, proved to be a well-known journalist.

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Things: This is the photo (which/that) I took.
The shed in our garden, which my father built many years ago, has lasted for a long time.
Possession: It was an agreement the details of which could not be altered.
Adverbial clauses
An adverbial clause is a clause that functions as an adverb. It tells us something about (or ‘modifies’) a
verb.
Adverbial clauses of time
When?
Conjunctions: when, after, as, as long as, as soon as, before, by the time (that), directly, during the time
(that), immediately, the moment (that), now (that), once, since, until/till, whenever, and while.
You didn’t look very well when you got up this morning.
After she got married, Madeleine changed completely.
Adverbial clauses of place
Where?
Conjunctions where, wherever, anywhere and everywhere.
You can’t camp where/wherever/anywhere you like these days.
Adverbial clauses of manner
How?
Conjunction: as.
Type this again as I showed you a moment ago.
This fish isn’t cooked as I like it.
Adverbial clauses of reason
Why?
Conjunctions: because, as, seeing (that) and since:
As/Because/Since there was very little support, the strike was not successful.
He studied hard because he needed a good grade.
Adverbial clauses of condition
Conjunctions: assuming (that), if, on condition (that), provided (that), providing (that), so/as long as and
unless.
Adverbial clauses of concession
Sometimes called contrast clauses.
Conjunctions: although, considering (that), though, even though, even if; much as …, while, whereas,
however much/badly/good, etc., no matter how, etc., no matter how much, etc.
Although/Though/Even though I felt sorry for him. I was secretly pleased that he was having
difficulties.
We intend to go to India, even if air fares go up again between now and the summer.
Much as I’d like to help, there isn’t a lot I can do.
Adverbial clauses of purpose
What for? and For what purpose?
Conjunctions: so that, in order that, in case, lest and for fear (that).
main clause: present, present perfect or future
I’ve arrived early so that/ in order that I may/can/will get a good view of the procession.
main clause: simple past, past progressive, or past perfect

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I arrived early so that/ in order that I should/could/might/would get a good view of the procession.

We’ve installed an extinguisher next to the cooker in case there is ever (there should/ might ever be) a
fire.
I’m taking a raincoat with me in case I need it.
We have a memorial service every year lest we (should) forget our debt to those who died in battle.
I bought the car at once for fear (that) he might change his mind.
I bought the car at once in case he changed his mind.
Adverbial clauses of result
These clauses describe consequences.
that after so + adjective:
His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him.
that after so + adverb:
He reacts so quickly (that) no one can match him.
that after such (a) + noun (or adjective + noun):
He is such a marvelous joker (that) you can’t help laughing.
They are such wonderful players (that) no one can beat them.

His reactions are such that no one can match him.


There was so much to lose (that) we couldn’t take any risks.
There was such a lot of rain (that) we couldn’t go out.
He was so angry!
The children made such a mess!
It was that cold (that) I could hardly get to sleep.
The roads were that icy!
Adverbial clauses of comparison
How?
He is as quick in answering as his sister (is).
He answers as quickly as his sister (does).
He is not so/as quick in answering as his sister (is).
His sister is quicker than he (is).
He moves more slowly than his sister (does).
The more you practice the better you get.
When I spoke to him on the phone this morning, he was more agreeable than (he was) last night.
He didn’t sell half as/so many videos as he thought he would.
You’ve made just as (Not *so*) many mistakes as I have.
Participle constructions
Form of participles
present perfect past
active: finding having found -
passive: being found having been found found

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Present participles in place of clauses
Participle construction in place of co-ordinate clauses
She lay awake all night and recalled the events of the day.
She lay awake all night, recalling the events of the day.
Present participle constructions in place of clauses of time
Time conjunctions: after, before, since, when and while.
Since I phoned you this morning, I have changed my plans.
Since phoning you this morning, I have changed my plans.
Present participle construction in place of clauses of reason
As I was anxious to please him, I bought him a nice present.
Being anxious to please him, I bought him a nice present.
Present participle constructions in place of conditionals.
If you are travelling north, you must change at Leeds.
If travelling north, you must change at Leeds.
Unless you pay by credit card, please pay in cash.
Unless paying by credit card, please pay in cash.
Present participles in place of clauses of concession.
Conjunctions: although, even though, though and while:
While he admitted that he had received the stolen jewellery, he denied having taken part in the robbery.
While admitting that he had received the stolen jewellery, he denied having taken part in the robbery.
Present participle constructions in place of relative clauses
The train which is arriving at Platform 8 is the 7.50 from New York.
The train arriving at Platform 8 is the 7.50 from New York.

Perfect participle constructions


active: We have invited him here to speak, so we’d better go to his lecture.
Having invited him here to speak, we’d better go to his lecture.
passive: I have been made redundant, so I’m going abroad.
Having been made redundant, I’m going abroad.

Past participle constructions in place of clauses


Past participle constructions in place of the passive
When it was viewed from a distance, the island of Nepenthe looked lie a cloud.
Viewed from a distance, the island of Nepenthe looked like a cloud.
Past participle constructions in place of adverbial clauses
Although it was built before the war, the engine is still in perfect order.
Although built before the war, the engine is still in perfect order.
If you are accepted for this post, you will be informed by May 1st.
If accepted for this post, you will be informed by May 1st.
Unless it is changed, this law will make life difficult for farmers.
Unless changed, this law will make life difficult for farmers.
Past participle constructions in place of relative clauses
The system which is used in this school is very successful.
The system used in this school is very successful.

Common questions

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Participle constructions replace relative clauses by using the participle form of the verb to convey the same meaning in a more concise manner. For example, 'The train which is arriving at Platform 8 is the 7.50 from New York' can be rephrased as 'The train arriving at Platform 8 is the 7.50 from New York'. This reduces the relative clause to a participle phrase, minimizing wordiness while maintaining clarity .

Defining relative clauses provide essential information about the noun they modify and do not require commas, as in 'The government which promises to cut taxes will be popular.' Conversely, non-defining relative clauses add extra information, are set off with commas, and do not affect the core meaning of the sentence, e.g., 'The government, which promises to cut taxes, will be popular.' This distinction is crucial for precision and clarity in writing .

Adverbial clauses of concession introduce contrast or unexpected outcomes in argumentative writing, utilizing conjunctions such as 'although' or 'even though.' For instance, 'Although I felt sorry for him, I was secretly pleased that he was having difficulties' contrasts an emotional response with a contradictory sentiment, enriching the argument with complexity and depth .

Participle constructions can streamline conditionals by embedding conditions directly into sentences, as seen in 'If travelling north, you must change at Leeds,' which omits the explicit 'If you are travelling north' without losing the sentence's meaning. This approach enhances sentence fluidity and reduces linguistic redundancy .

Using relative pronouns like 'who,' 'whom,' 'which,' and 'that' as objects in complex sentences aids in linking clauses while providing critical detail. For instance, 'He is the man whom I met at a party last week' uses 'whom' as an object, which fluidly connects information between clauses, enhancing coherence and depth .

Adverbial clauses of result articulate the consequences arising from situations described in the main clause. They employ constructions like 'so...that,' to show impact, e.g., 'His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him,' linking cause 'so quick' to performative results 'no one can match' .

Noun clauses in complex sentences perform the same functions as basic nouns. They act as objects of verbs, subjects of verbs, and can follow certain expressions such as 'the fact that'. For example, in the sentence 'I know that the match will be cancelled,' the noun clause 'that the match will be cancelled' functions as the object of the verb 'know' .

Adverbial clauses of purpose clarify intentions behind actions, using conjunctions like 'so that' or 'in order that.' For example, 'I’ve arrived early so that I may get a good view of the procession' explicitly states the motive, enhancing the purposefulness and clarity of actions depicted in complex sentences .

Conjunctions in adverbial clauses specify relationships such as time, reason, or condition, enhancing expression by structuring information hierarchically. Conjunctions like 'when', 'because', 'although', and 'if' introduce clauses providing crucial context or contingencies to the main clause. For instance, 'Since there was very little support, the strike was not successful' uses 'since' for causation, enriching the statement with causal clarity .

Participle constructions streamline complex sentences by eliminating additional words and amalgamating clauses into concise phrases. For example, 'When it was viewed from a distance, the island looked like a cloud' is reduced to 'Viewed from a distance, the island looked like a cloud,' enhancing readability while preserving meaning .

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