Archive for the ‘English Grammar’ Category

Analysis of Complex Sentences Exercise I

January 6th, 2010 in English Grammar, English Learning

Analyze the following complex sentences:

1.    Where there is a will, there is a way.

2.    Take care lest you should fall.

3.    When the rain stopped we set out for the next town where we had planned to stay the night.

4.    The men managed to survive even though they were three days without water.

5.    We will have plenty to eat, provided that no uninvited guests turn up.

6.    He works hard that he may become rich.

7.    Though he was strong he could not fight against three people at once.

8.    His mother said that he had gone to the market to make some purchases.

9.    If the dog was mine, I would have taken it to a veterinary doctor.

10.    The man who did most to convince the world that slavery was unethical was Wilberforce.

Answers
1.    Principal clause: There is a way
Subordinate clause: Where there is a will (Adverb clause of place/condition)

2.    Principal clause: Take care
Subordinate clause: Lest you should fall (Adverb clause of purpose)

3.    Principal clause: We set out for the next town
Subordinate clause: When the rain stopped (Adverb clause of time)

Subordinate clause: Where we had planned to stay the night (Adverb clause of place)

4.    Principal clause: The men managed to survive
Subordinate clause: Even though they were three days without water (Adverb clause of concession)

5.    Principal clause: We will have plenty to eat
Subordinate clause: Provided that no uninvited guests turn up. (Adverb clause of condition)

6.    Principal clause: He works hard
Subordinate clause: That he may become rich. (Adverb clause of purpose)

7.    Principal clause: He could not fight against three people at once
Subordinate clause: Though he was strong (Adverb clause of concession)

8.    Principal clause: His mother said
Subordinate clause: That he had gone to the market to make some purchases (Noun clause)

9.    Principal clause: I would have taken it to a veterinary doctor
Subordinate clause: If the dog was mine (Adverb clause of condition)

10.    Principal clause: The man was Wilberforce
Subordinate clause: Who did most to convince the world (Adjective clause)
Subordinate clause: That slavery was unethical (Noun clause)