Simple Compound And Complex Sentences Guided Writing.docx

Sentences: Simple, Compound, and Complex A common weakness in writing is the lack of varied sentences. Becoming aware of three general types of sentences--simple, compound, and complex--can help you vary the sentences in your writing. The most effective writing uses a variety of the sentence types explained below.

1. Simple Sentences A simple sentence has the most basic elements that make it a sentence: a subject, a verb, and a completed thought. Examples of simple sentences include the following: 1. Joe waited for the train. "Joe" = subject, "waited" = verb 2. The train was late. "The train" = subject, "was" = verb 3. Mary and Samantha took the bus. "Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "took" = verb 4. I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station. "I" = subject, "looked" = verb 5. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station early but waited until noon for the bus. "Mary and Samantha" = compound subject, "arrived" and "waited" = compound verb Tip: If you use many simple sentences in an essay, you should consider revising some of the sentences into compound or complex sentences (explained below).

The use of compound subjects, compound verbs, prepositional phrases (such as "at the bus station"), and other elements help lengthen simple sentences, but simple sentences often are short. The use of too many simple sentences can make writing "choppy" and can prevent the writing from flowing smoothly. A simple sentence can also be referred to as an independent clause. It is referred to as "independent" because, while it might be part of a compound or complex sentence, it can also stand by itself as a complete sentence.

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The following are the main patterns of the simple sentences in English. PATTERN-1

SV = SUBJECT + VERB Examples: a) Fire burns. b) Gold glitters. c) The child cried. d) The moon is shining. PATTERN-2

SVO = SUBJECT + VERB + OBJECT Examples: a) The teacher praised the student b) We bought a new car. c) She sang a Meera bhajan. d) Valmiki wrote the Ramayana. PATTERN-3

SVOO = SUBJECT + VERB + (INDIRECT) OBJECT+ (DIRECT) OBJECT Examples:a) Grandma told me a fairy tale. b) The postman gave me a letter. c) His father bought him a laptop. d) The teacher asked the students a simple question. PATTERN-4

SVC = SUBJECT + VERB+ COMPLEMENT Examples a) The child appears innocent. b) She feels cold. c) She looks beautiful. d) Munabhai became a doctor. e) Father is tried. PATTERN-5

SVOC = SUBJECT+ VERB + OBJECT+ COMPLEMENT Examples a) We elected Mr. Mohanty Chairman. b) Noble deeds make a person immortal. c) Modern scientists have proved the theory wrong. d) Police found the man guilty.

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Let’s Practice Practice 1 Separate the subject from the predicate in the following sentences. 1. He had no answer to my question. 2. Serpents move very fast. 3. Constant illness compelled him to discontinue his study. 4. Gardening, collecting stamps, drawing pictures, making paintings, catching fish, taking photographs etc., are the examples of common hobbies. 5. The temporary sheds and stalls for the sellers in the market collapsed in the recent rain. Practice 2 The sentences in the following passage are in different patterns. Identify the pattern of each sentence and mention the pattern against the respective sentence. 1) I have read the Ramayana. (S V O) 2) Maharshi Valmiki wrote this famous epic. (SVO) 3) It deals with the life and work of lord Ramachandra. (SVpC) 4) He was the son of Dasaratha of Ayodhya.(SVC) 5) It also tells us the story of Ravan, the demon king of Lanka . (SViOdOC) 6) People called Ramachandra Purushottam. (SVO) 7) He was an incarnation of God. (SVC) 8) Ravan was a great politician. (SVC) 9) Ramachandra, his wife Sita and brother Laxman went to forest. (SVC) 10) King Dasaratha died. (SV) 11) Bharat became the king of Ayodhya. (SVC) 12) But he respected his elder brother Ramachandra. (SVO) 13) He regarded him God. (SViOdO) 14) Ravan in disguise kidnapped Sita. (SVO) 15) The bird Jatayu saw it. (SVO) 16) It gave the two grieving brothers this news. (SViOdO) 3|Page

17) Ravan was very arrogant. (SVC) 18) He did not listen to Ramachandra’s request. (SVpO) 19) He did not leave Sita. (SVO) 20) Ramachandra invaded Lanka. (SVC) 21) Bibhisan, Sugrib, Hanuman and their men helped Ramachandra. (SVO) 22) Ramachandra killed Ravan and rescued Sita. (ScVcO)

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2. Compound Sentences A compound sentence refers to a sentence made up of two independent clauses (or complete sentences) connected to one another with a coordinating conjunction. Coordinating conjunctions are easy to remember if you think of the words "FAN BOYS": 

F o r



A n d



N o r



B u t



O r



Y e t



S o

Examples of compound sentences include the following: 1. Joe waited for the train, but the train was late. 2. I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station, but they arrived at the station before noon and left on the bus before I arrived. 3. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon, and they left on the bus before I arrived. 4. Mary and Samantha left on the bus before I arrived, so I did not see them at the bus station.

Here are more examples of compound sentences with more co-ordinators/ coordinating conjunctions Co-ordinators and but yet still or so nevertheless therefore otherwise for either..or neither..nor not only..but also nor

Compound Sentences The students listen attentively and take notes carefully. He tried hard, but he failed. / Man proposes, but God disposes. He is illiterate, yet he is very polite. It is a holiday; still some officers have come to office. You may agree to the proposal or give your own. Mother is ill: so you find me in the kitchen. Father is tired, nevertheless he insists on hard work. The child is hungry, therefore it is crying. Work hard, otherwise you will fail. I could not attend your call, for I was busy in office. Either you personally attend the function or send somebody to represent you. A villain neither speaks truth nor accepts others words are true. Ranjeeta not only dances well but also sings nicely. He did not attend the reception, nor did he send any of his family members to the occasion.

Tip: If you rely heavily on compound sentences in an essay, you should consider revising some of them into complex sentences (explained below). 5|Page

Coordinating conjunctions are useful for connecting sentences, but compound sentences often are overused. While coordinating conjunctions can indicate some type of relationship between the two independent clauses in the sentence, they sometimes do not indicate much of a relationship. The word "and," for example, only adds one independent clause to another, without indicating how the two parts of a sentence are logically related. Too many compound sentences that use "and" can weaken writing. Clearer and more specific relationships can be established through the use of complex sentences.

Let’s Practice Make compound sentences by combining a clause from Coloumn-1 and another suitable clause from Column-3 with an appropriate conjunction from column-2 Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

He is outwardly strict,

And

Delivered the letter.

Work hard,

But

We stayed indoor.

United we stand,

Nor

Takes tea

Do,

Still

I decided to help you.

He is very ill,

Yet

Pretends madness.

The postman came,

Either…or

You will fail.

It rained heavily,

Neither..nor

Lenient at heart

He smokes cigarettes,

Not only..but also

I shall fine you

I was angry with you

Nevertheless

He is honest

He is mad,

Otherwise

Keeps it

Do it,

For

Divided we fall

He is poor,

so

Die

He makes a promise,

Therefore

He takes rest

He is weak

Or

He works hard.

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3. Complex Sentences A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses connected to it. A dependent clause is similar to an independent clause, or complete sentence, but it lacks one of the elements that would make it a complete sentence. Examples of dependent clauses include the following:   

because Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before noon while he waited at the train station after they left on the bus

Dependent clauses such as those above cannot stand alone as a sentence, but they can be added to an independent clause to form a complex sentence. Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. Below are some of the most common subordinating conjunctions:      

after although as because before even though

     

if since though unless until when

   

whenever whereas wherever while

A complex sentence has two parts; the main clause and the subordinate clause. These parts are interchangeable. It means that a complex sentence may begin with either the main clause or the subordinate clause. In some cases, the main clause is split by the subordinate clause in the middle. A. Main Clause FIRST PART: Main clause/ Independent clause You are the first man I have nothing You need not ask I finished the answer It is true I know I do not know Nobody can say I always wonder Have you seen a fish The more you read Smita sang 7|Page

SECOND PART: Subordinate Clause/Dependent Clause who heard the news. that I can offer. who I am. as I had no time left. that all that glitters is not gold. where he was born. how he passed without hard work. what will happen after hundred years. when I look at the vast sky. which flies in the sky. the more you learn. as if she were an expert playback singer.

FIRST PART: Main clause/ Independent clause Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall Give me some water The woman cried He came oftener Tell me This Life is There is no meaning in

SECOND PART: Subordinate Clause/Dependent Clause unless he has a ticket. that I may drink. as loudly as she could. than we expected. where you live. where I live. what we make it. what you say.

B) Subordinate Clause in the beginning: (First part) Subordinate clause/Dependant Clause Though the load was light, As the decision has already been taken Though he got the news If you had not helped me If you do not work hard Though I was angry Though he is poor Unless you work hard

(Second part) Main Clause/Independent Clause it was too much for the old man. the arguments are useless he was not happy icould not have done the work. you will fail. i did not punish him. he is honest. you cannot get success.

C) The Split Main Clause: First Part of Main Clause People The speaker all the blessings A friend He Servants

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The Subordinate Clause

The rest Part of the main Clause Who live in glass houses Should not throw stones. Who was a learned man spoke about the nano technology. we enjoy come from God. who helps you in time of need is a real friend. that climbs too high is sure to fall. that are honest are trusted.

Let’s Practice Pick out the complex sentences from the following passage. Then break up each of the complex sentences into separate clauses. Mark the main clause as M.C and the subordinate clause as Sub C. (the first one is solved for you.) Gotipuas are boy dancers who dress as girls. They are the products of the ‘akhadas’ or gymnasia which were set up by the King Ramachandra Deva in Puri. These akhadas provided military training to young men who would protect the town and the temple from intruders. The akhadas were like clubs, the main concern of which was gymnastics or the art of self-defence. Those akhadas also served as nurseries where gotipua dancers were trained. Gotipuas were also known as ‘akhadapilas’ because the boy dancers were generated by the akhadasystem.There is another reason which explains the emergence of the gotipua tradition in Odisha. There was a time when the Vaishnava religion did not approve of dancing by women in temple. So, the practice of dancing by boys dressed as girls was introduced. The gotipua dance had strong connection with what the maharis offered. The dance style of gotipuas existed independently, although it had common roots with the dance style of the maharis. The Odissi dance of today has grown from both these traditions, which are associated with Raja Ramachandra Deva. ANSWER: 1. Gotipuas are boy dancers----M.C who dress as girls---------------Sub C

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REVIEW PRACTICE Identify whether the sentences are simple, complex, compound or compound-complex. Please underline dependent clauses where it applies. 1. Vampires Dairies is my favorite television show, but I also love True Blood. 2. The student wiped the white board that was filthy with last week’s notes. 3. The trendy fashion designer released her new line on Wednesday. 4. Trina and Hareem went to a bar in Hollywood to celebrate their anniversary. 5. Wicked Regina cast a spell on the entire city, so the citizens decided to rebel. 6. While waiting for the paint to dry, Angela went to Home Depot, and Martin organized the kitchen appliances. 7. After listening to the Kanye West CD, I have new respect for his music. 8. After the teacher chose groups, John and Sara were selected as partners for a project, yet Sarah did most of the work.

Practice 2 There are five simple sentences, three compound sentences and two complex sentences in the following passage. Write, simple, compound or complex. 1. Life is a bed of thorns. 2. It is never a bed of roses. 3. Man struggles hard to earn his living. 4. He runs after money and wants to enjoy power. 5. In the race for money and power he gets hurt. 6. Fears, worries and frustration hurt his mind. 7. He becomes restless and loses peace of mind. 8. He realises that money is not everything in life. 9. It gives temporary satisfaction, but robs him of peace and happiness in life. 10. What makes man happy is contentment.

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REFERENCES http://www2.ivcc.edu/rambo/eng1001/sentences.htm Academic Success Center/Reading and Writing Lab/Title V/ISSA Ohio Adult Basic and Literacy/Lesson Plan

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