Transformation of Sentences

Simple ↔ Compound ↔ Complex

1. Definitions

Type Definition
Simple Sentence Contains only one subject and one predicate.
Compound Sentence Contains two or more independent clauses joined by conjunctions.
Complex Sentence Contains one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

2. Structure

Sentence Type Structure
Simple Subject + Verb
Compound Clause + (and / but / or) + Clause
Complex Main Clause + Subordinate Clause

3. Transformation Examples

A. Simple → Compound → Complex

Simple Compound Complex
Being tired, he slept early. He was tired, so he slept early. Because he was tired, he slept early.
In spite of his poverty, he is happy. He is poor, but he is happy. Though he is poor, he is happy.
On seeing the police, the thief ran away. The thief saw the police and ran away. When the thief saw the police, he ran away.

B. Complex → Simple → Compound

Complex Simple Compound
When he was young, he was very active. In his youth, he was very active. He was young and very active.
Although she is rich, she is humble. In spite of her richness, she is humble. She is rich, but she is humble.

4. Common Conjunctions Used

Type Words
Compound and, but, or, so, yet
Complex because, although, though, when, while, if, since

5. Common Mistakes

Wrong ❌ Right ✅
Because he was tired so he slept. Because he was tired, he slept.
Though he is poor but he is honest. Though he is poor, he is honest.
He was tired and because he slept. He was tired, so he slept.
In spite he was ill, he came. In spite of being ill, he came.
When he saw the police and ran. When he saw the police, he ran.
He is poor so although happy. Though he is poor, he is happy.
Being he was tired, he slept. Being tired, he slept.
Exam Tip: Do not use two conjunctions together (because + so, though + but).


Future tense Quiz — Pick the Future tense

10 questions. Choose the correct Future tense.

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