Transformation of Sentence – Simple, Complex & Compound

We would start this series on transformation of sentence with learning how to transform a simple sentence into complex, a complex sentence into compound and so on. For that we first need to learn how simple, complex and compound sentences are constructed. Let’s begin.

• 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.

Let’s have an example. Main clauses are in red and sub clauses are in blue.

1. Simple: Despite his illness, Rohit attended the class.
2. Complex: Though Rohit was ill, he attended the class.
3. 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 (linkers).

Linkers to make Complex Sentence (Sub-ordinate Conjunctions):

That: We know that he is a good student.
Though: Though he worked hard, he failed to get a position.
Although: Although it was hard, he did it.
As (manner): Do as you like.
As (reason) As she worked hard, she got the reward.
As (after adjective, means ‘though’): Poor as he is, he is honest.
Because: He cannot join us because he is busy.
Since (reason): Since it’s raining, we cannot go out.
When: I was there when he came.
Where: This is the place where I met him.
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 till 4 pm.
Until: Do not go out until I return.
If: If you work hard, you’ll reap the benefit.
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 was ready to accompany her.
So that: Keep the door open so that anyone can come.
In order that: He worked hard in order that he could pass the test.
So … that: This poem is so easy that it needs no explanation.
As … as: Subir is as strong as Prabir.
So … as: Subir is not so strong as Rohit.
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.

Linkers to make Compound Sentence (Co-ordinate Conjunctions):

And: He played well and got a prize.
But: She is sad but hopeful.
Or: Work hard or you will fail.
And so: He tried hard and so he won the game.
Yet: Life is full of tears, yet none wishes to die.
Still: He worked hard, still he failed.
Otherwise: Be attentive, otherwise you’ll miss the idea.
While: He failed while his brother passed.
Whereas: He is rich whereas his brother is poor.
Both … and: Both Rahul and his brother are intelligent.
As well as: Rina as well as his brother is honest.
Either … or: He is either a teacher or a doctor.
Neither … nor: He is neither a teacher nor a doctor.
Not only … but also: He is not only a teacher but also an author.

Now, that you have learnt the linkers to make complex and compound sentences, we will now concentrate on 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.
  • 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.

So, now that you know how simple, complex and compound sentences are constructed, you can join two different sentences into a single simple, complex or compound sentence, and also can transform a simple sentence into complex, a compound sentence into simple and so on.

Practice Examples: Transformation Patterns

(a) Simple to Complex and Complex to Simple

Simple to Complex

1. Simple: He worked hard to pass the examination.
   Complex: He worked hard so that he might pass the examination.
2. Simple: On seeing the lion, the children screamed.
   Complex: When the children saw the lion, they screamed.
3. Simple: Owing to his injury, the player could not compete.
   Complex: Because he was injured, the player could not compete.
4. Simple: He succeeded by his hard work.
   Complex: He succeeded because he worked hard.
5. Simple: The girl, a talented musician, won the competition.
   Complex: The girl who was a talented musician won the competition.

Complex to Simple

1. Complex: When the rain stopped, the match began.
   Simple: The rain having stopped, the match began.
2. Complex: As he did not have any money, he could not buy the book.
   Simple: Owing to his lack of money, he could not buy the book.
3. Complex: If you work hard, you will succeed.
   Simple: By working hard, you will succeed.
4. Complex: Unless you help me, I cannot complete the project.
   Simple: Without your help, I cannot complete the project.
5. Complex: Since she was afraid of the dark, she stayed indoors.
   Simple: For fear of the dark, she stayed indoors.

(b) Simple to Compound and Compound to Simple

Simple to Compound

1. Simple: Besides being intelligent, he is hardworking.
   Compound: He is intelligent and he is hardworking.
2. Simple: Despite his poverty, he is respected.
   Compound: He is poor, but he is respected.
3. Simple: To win the prize, you must work hard.
   Compound: You must work hard, or you will not win the prize.
4. Simple: Notwithstanding his age, he is very active.
   Compound: He is old, yet he is very active.
5. Simple: The old man, being very weak, could not walk.
   Compound: The old man was very weak, so he could not walk.

Compound to Simple

1. Compound: He is honest and he is respected.
   Simple: Being honest, he is respected.
2. Compound: He finished his work and he went home.
   Simple: After finishing his work, he went home.
3. Compound: Hurry up, or you will miss the train.
   Simple: Without hurrying, you will miss the train.
4. Compound: She studied hard, yet she failed.
   Simple: Despite her hard study, she failed.
5. Compound: The hero fought bravely and he defeated the enemy.
   Simple: By fighting bravely, the hero defeated the enemy.

(c) Complex to Compound and Compound to Complex

Complex to Compound

1. Complex: Since it was late, we returned home quickly.
   Compound: It was late, so we returned home quickly.
2. Complex: Although he is rich, he is not happy.
   Compound: He is rich, but he is not happy.
3. Complex: If she studies well, she will get good marks.
   Compound: Study well, and you will get good marks.
4. Complex: Unless you obey, you will be punished.
   Compound: Obey, or you will be punished.
5. Complex: Whenever the bell rings, the children play.
   Compound: The bell rings and the children play.

Compound to Complex

1. Compound: He is rich, but he is not generous.
   Complex: Although he is rich, he is not generous.
2. Compound: It was very hot, so we stayed indoors.
   Complex: As it was very hot, we stayed indoors.
3. Compound: Finish your work and you may go home.
   Complex: You may go home when you finish your work.
4. Compound: He was sick, yet he came to the meeting.
   Complex: Though he was sick, he came to the meeting.
5. Compound: Work hard, or you will regret it later.
   Complex: If you do not work hard, you will regret it later.

(d) Join into a Simple Sentence

1. He finished his homework. He went out to play.
   Simple: After finishing his homework, he went out to play.
2. She was tired. She continued working.
   Simple: Despite being tired, she continued working.
3. I must catch the bus. I am leaving now.
   Simple: I am leaving now to catch the bus.
4. The teacher explained the lesson. The students understood it.
   Simple: The students understood the lesson explained by the teacher.
5. The sun rose. The birds started singing.
   Simple: The sun having risen, the birds started singing.

(e) Join into a Complex Sentence

1. He is very clever. Everyone admires him.
   Complex: Everyone admires him because he is very clever.
2. The boy is my cousin. He is standing near the gate.
   Complex: The boy who is standing near the gate is my cousin.
3. She was late. She missed the beginning of the show.
   Complex: As she was late, she missed the beginning of the show.
4. He did not listen. He failed the test.
   Complex: Because he did not listen, he failed the test.
5. The book was interesting. I could not put it down.
   Complex: The book was so interesting that I could not put it down.

(f) Join into a Compound Sentence

1. She is intelligent. She is also humble.
   Compound: She is intelligent and she is also humble.
2. You must work hard. Otherwise, you will fail.
   Compound: Work hard, or you will fail.
3. He arrived late. Still, he was welcomed warmly.
   Compound: He arrived late, yet he was welcomed warmly.
4. The storm was fierce. We stayed indoors.
   Compound: The storm was fierce, so we stayed indoors.
5. Rina is a doctor. Her brother is a lawyer.
   Compound: Rina is a doctor and her brother is a lawyer.