A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by reducing a subordinate clause into a word or a phrase.

Study the following examples.

By reducing a noun clause into a phrase

A complex sentence can be converted into a simple sentence by reducing a noun clause into a noun phrase.

Complex: I know that he is an honest guy.

Simple: I know him to be an honest guy.

Complex: We could not figure out what he said.

Simple: We could not figure out the meaning of his words.

Complex: I believe that God exists.

Simple: I believe in God’s existence.

By reducing an adjective clause

Complex: Those that are helpless deserve our pity.

Simple: The helpless deserve our pity.

Complex: The statue that is made of marble was bought from Jaipur.

Simple: The marble statue was bought from Jaipur.

Complex: We saw trees that were laden with fruits.

Simple: We saw trees laden with fruits.

By reducing an adverb clause into a phrase

Complex: They took shelter under a tree because they were driven by the rain.

Simple: Driven by the rain, they took shelter under a tree.

Complex: He lost all hope because he was deceived by his own friends.

Simple: Deceived by his own friends, he lost all hope.