In this article, you will learn about the transformation of simple sentences into complex and compound sentences. You will also learn about the different types of modifiers.
A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. A complex sentence consists of an independent clause and a dependent clause. A dependent clause is headed by a subordinating conjunction such as although, if, since, when, despite, while, in case, and besides.
Simple Sentences
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A simple sentence consists of one independent clause. The subject of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that begins the clause so here, and the verb describes what the doer of the action does. The object of the sentence follows the verb, describing what is received.
When students use coordinating conjunctions, they can transform a simple sentence into a compound sentence. To convert a complex sentence into a simple sentence, they need to change the dependent clause into an independent clause and add a coordinating conjunction to the end of the subordinating clause.
To help students practice this, give them a photocopied passage pitched at a level suited to their age and ability. Have them read it through once, then identify and highlight simple sentences. On the second run-through, have them try to convert simple sentences into compounds or compound-complex sentences. They may need to repeat this exercise a few times until they are familiar with how it works.
Complex Sentences
A clause is a group of words that has a subject and predicate. However, it cannot exist as a complete sentence on its own and must be combined with another clause using coordinating conjunctions. The conversion rules for simple sentences with infinitive and participle phrases are the same as those for independent clauses.
To transform a simple sentence with adverbial phrases, you can replace adverbials with the coordinating conjunction “though”. For example, instead of saying “in spite of being terribly unhappy,” say “in spite of (his) terribly unhappiness.”
You can use conditional sentences in complex sentences to enhance the clarity and flow of your writing. Adding “if” or “in case” to any sentence will help you convert it into a conditional. You can also replace “at the time” with “when” to transform a simple sentence into a compound sentence. For example, “When Troy ate a giant cookie, he got a stomach ache.” He went to the doctor when he was ill.
Compound Sentences
When a simple sentence is accompanied by a participle phrase or an infinitive phrase and is joined with a coordinating conjunction, it becomes a compound sentence. Similarly, a compound sentence with an adverbial phrase can also be converted into a simple sentence by converting the adverbial phrase into a clause and then joining it with a coordinating conjunction.
Experienced writers use a variety of sentence structures and styles to engage their readers and emphasize key themes in their writing. They know that different types of sentences can be used to convey positive, negative, and interrogative sentiments without altering their meaning.
English sentences differ in structure from over half of the world’s languages, which are more likely to use Subject-Verb-Object syntax. In addition, English sentences often have multiple non-finite verbs. This can make them difficult to understand and write. It is important to understand how to convert these sentences into the proper grammatical form.
Interrogative Sentences
Unlike declarative sentences, interrogative sentences are questions that ask for information. They have a question mark at the end of the sentence and usually begin with an auxiliary verb, then the subject, and finally the main verb. Interrogative sentences are also called rhetorical questions and can be used to make a point or create a dramatic effect.
The easiest way to transform an assertive sentence into an interrogative one is to change the affirmative expression into a negative expression. For example, “Lorraine was the new English teacher” becomes “Isn’t Lorraine the new English teacher?”
To convert a simple sentence into a complex sentence, you can add a coordinating conjunction or a conjunctive adverb to it. For example, a simple sentence like “The team is good” becomes “The team is good at winning games.” You can also use words such as although or despite to make a complex sentence. For example, “The vote was close; nevertheless, the government prevailed.”.