Change simple sentence into complex or compound sentence
In order to transform a simple sentence into a complex sentence, we have to expand a word or phrase into a subordinate clause.
Study the example given below.
- Hearing the noise, the boy woke up.
This is a simple sentence because it consists of just one clause.
We can change it into a complex sentence by expanding that participial phrase into a subordinate clause.
- The boy woke up when he heard the noise.
We can also transform the given simple sentence into a compound sentence.
A compound sentence consists of two or more main clauses. The clauses in a compound sentence are connected using coordinating conjunctions (e.g. and, but, or, nor, yet, for, so)
- The boy heard the noise and woke up.
Exercise
Transform the following simple sentences into complex or compound sentences.
1. Knocking at the gate, he demanded admission.
2. Blinded by a dust storm, they lost their way.
3. Deceived by his friends, he lost all hope.
4. Driven by hunger, he stole a piece of bread.
5. Overwhelmed with grief, the poor widow killed herself.
6. The sea being smooth, we went for a sail.
7. Weather permitting, the match will be held tomorrow afternoon.
Answers
1. He knocked at the gate and demanded admission.
2. As they were blinded by a dust storm, they lost their way.
3. As he was deceived by his friends, he lost all hope.
4. Because he was driven by hunger, he stole a piece of bread.
5. As she was overwhelmed with grief, the poor widow killed herself.
6. Because the sea was smooth, we went for a sail.
7. If weather permits, the match will be held tomorrow afternoon.