1. Simple sentence – A sentence which has only one subject and predicate/ only one main clause
Ex. He works hard on every aspect of the plan.
2. Compound sentence – A sentence which has two or more main /principal clauses
Ex. He is new here and wants to know this place more.
3. Complex sentence – A sentence which has one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Ex. If you don’t work hard, you can not survive here.
Conversions
I. Simple –> Compound
• Convert the non-finite verb into a finite verb in appropriate tense and frame a main clause. Use a suitable coordinating conjunction.
Ex. You must work hard to create a place for yourself in the organisation.
Ans. You must work hard and create a place for yourself in the organisation.
• Expand a word or phrase into a main clause and use a suitable coordinating conjunction
Ex. In an exciting match, they won by 3 wickets.
Ans. It was an exiting match and they won by 3 wickets.
II. Compound –> Simple
• Frame the sentence, using a non finite form of any of the main verbs. Remove the conjunction. Use any suitable phrase (Ex. In spite of..., in case of..., in the event of..., along with..., besides... etc.) or a suitable preposition (on, despite etc.) if necessary to retain the meaning. A negative word might be necessary to balance the meaning of the sentence.
Ex. She completed her work and left for her home.
Ans. Completing her work, she left for her home.
Ex. She tried to help her friends but she could not.
Ans. In spite of /Despite trying to help her friends, she could not.
Ex. You need to complete the assignment today or you will fail in the examination.
Ans. In case of not completing the assignment today, you will fail in the examination.
Ex. He not only helped the boy to find shelter but also gave him some money.
Ans. Besides / Along with helping the boy to find shelter, he also gave him some money.
Ex. The solders arrived and the people were rescued.
Ans. The soldiers having arrived, the people were rescued. /On arrival of the soldiers, the people were rescued.
III. Simple –> complex
• Expand any word or phrase into a subordinate clause
Ex. A dangerous looking man was staring at them.
Ans. A man who looked / was looking dangerous, was staring at them.
• Use any suitable dummy subject and frame the sentence.
Ex. I wanted to buy this book.
Ans. This is the book I wanted to buy. /This is the book which I wanted to buy.
IV. Complex –> Simple
• Convert the subordinate clause into a phrase or a word.
Ex. Great leaders have something in them that gives motivation to people.
Ans. Great leaders have something in them, giving motivation to people.
• Remove the dummy subject and rewrite the sentence.
Ex. It is the consumer who pays for the advertisement.
Ans. The consumer pays for the advertisement.
• Convert any appropriate main verb into a non finite verb and frame the sentence.
Ex. Birds use different sounds which indicate different emotions.
Ans. Birds use different sounds indicating different emotions.
V. Compound = Complex
• Interchange the conjunctions or use a connecting word with similar meaning as per the type of sentence.
• Rearrange the sentence if necessary.
• Use the following alternatives for reference.
Coordinating conjunctions = Subordinating conjunctions / connecting words
And = As, when, as soon as, since, because, so... that, who, whom, that, which etc.
But = Though, if, even if, than etc.
Or = If... not, unless
Ex. He was very good in sports and he has won the first prize in all the races.
Ans. As/ Since he was very good in sports, he has won the first prize in all the races.
Ex. They reached there as early as possible but they were late for the function.
Ans. Though they reached there as early as possible, they were late for the function.
Ex. You should come with us or you will miss out the fun.
Ans. Unless you come with us, you will miss out the fun.
