Simple Complex Compound | Transformation of Sentences

The process of changing a sentence from one form to another without changing its meaning is
called Transformation of Sentence.

Simple Sentence: A simple sentence is one that contains only one Subject and one finite Verb:

Utterly exhausted, they fainted on the ground. In this Sentence:

One Subject: they

One Finite Verb: fainted

Complex Sentence: A complex sentence is one that contains one Principal Clause with one or more Sub-ordinate
Clause:

I did not know that he would visit us here when the school was closed. In this Sentence:

Principal Clause: I did not know

Sub-ordinate Clause (i): that he would visit us here.

Sub-ordinate Clause (ii): when the school was closed.

(i) that he would visit us here( Sub-ordinate noun clause , object to the verb ,know, in the Principal
Clause). (ii) when the school was closed( Sub-ordinate Adverbial Clause qualifying the Verb would visit in the
sub-ordinate clause , that he would visit us here)

Compound Sentence : A compound sentence is one that contains two or more Principal or Main or Independent
Co-ordinate Clauses joined together by connectives( and, but, or, then, therefore, else, however).As,

They reached the station, but missed the train. In this Sentence:

Principal or Main or Independent Co-ordinate Clause (i): They reached the station.

Connective: But

Principal or Main or Independent Co-ordinate Clause (ii): They missed the train.

When two clauses of same rank joined together with connectives are called Co-ordinate Clause. Co-ordinate
Clauses may be either Principal Clauses or Sub-ordinate Clauses.

Transformation of Sentences
Transformation of Simple Sentence into Complex Sentence

A Simple Sentence can be transformed or converted to a Complex Sentence by expanding a word or

phrase into a Sub-ordinate Clause. The Sub-ordinate Clause may be:

(a) A Noun Clause

(b) An Adjective Clause

(c) An Adverb Clause

(a) A Noun Clause

Simple: I don't know him.

Complex: I don't know who he is.

Simple: He confessed his guilt.

Complex: He confessed that he was guilty.

Simple: He hopes to win the prize.

Complex: He hopes that he will win the prize.

Simple: I know his name.

Complex: I know what his name is.

Simple: He will certainly come today.

Complex: It is certain that he will come today.

Simple: He is sure of passing the examination.

Complex: He is sure that he will pass the examination.

(b) An Adjective Clause

Simple: This is my pen.

Complex: This is the pen which belongs to me.

Simple: An idle man cannot prosper.

Complex: A man who is idle cannot prosper.

Simple: This is my birth-place.

Complex: This is the place where I was born.

Simple: He was the first man to go there.

Complex: He was the first man who went there.

Simple: I saw a wounded bird.

Complex: I saw a bird which was wounded.

(c) An Adverb Clause

Simple: With sunrise the fog dispersed.

Complex: When the sun rose, the fog dispersed.

Simple: I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.

Complex: I am so old a bird that I cannot be caught with chaff.
Simple: Immediately after the arrival of the police the crowd left the place
Complex: As soon as the police arrived, the crowd left the place.

Simple: If you had not helped him he would have failed.

Complex: But for your help he would have failed.

Simple: He reads hard to pass the examination.

Complex: He reads hard that (so that) he may pass the examination.

Simple: In spite of his riches, he is not happy.

Complex: Though he is rich, he is not happy.

Simple: She came to my house during my absence.

Complex: She came to my house when I was absent.
Simple to Compound

Transformation of Simple Sentence into Compound Sentence

A Simple Sentence can be converted into a Compound Sentence by expanding a word or a phrase into Co-
ordinate Clause.

Simple: He is both tall and strong.

Compound: He is not only tall but also strong.

Simple: He ran away to escape arrest.

Compound: He ran away and thus escaped arrest.

Simple: You must work hard to succeed.

Compound: You must work hard, or you will fail.

Simple: He could not come on account of illness.

Compound: He was ill, and so he could not come.

Simple: In spite of his poverty he is honest.

Compound: He is poor but he is honest.

Simple: I punished the boy for his insolence.

Compound: The boy was insolent, and so I punished him.
Simple: Besides being a teacher he is a social worker.
Compound: He is a teacher and a social worker.

Transformation of Complex Sentence into Simple Sentence

A Complex Sentence can be transformed into a Simple Sentence Contracting/shortening a Sub-ordinate

Clause into a word or a phrase.

(a) Noun Clause

Complex: I know what his intention is

Simple: I know his intention.

Complex: We believe what he says.

Simple: We believe his word (or, him).

Complex: He wants that I should go.

Simple: He wants me to go.

Complex: That he is honest is known to all.

Simple: His honesty is known to all.

Complex: I know where he was born.

Simple: I know his birth-place (or, the place of his birth).

Complex: It seemed impossible that he could escape.

Simple: It seemed impossible for him to escape.
Or His escape seemed impossible.

Complex: Tell me where he lives.

Simple: Tell me his address.

Complex: I admit that he is a great poet.

Simple: I admit his greatness as a poet.
Or, I admit him to be a great poet.

Complex: The truth is he was absent,

Simple: To tell the truth, he was absent.

(b) Adjective Clause

Complex: He was the last man who went there.

Simple: He was the last man to go there.

Complex: They soon forgot the labours they had endured.

Simple: They soon forgot their past labours.

Complex: Only those boys who will work hard will succeed.
Simple: Only hard working boys will succeed.
Complex: He was guilty of rudeness that could not be tolerated.
Simple: He was guilty of intolerable rudeness.

(c) Adverb Clause

Complex: As soon as he went there, he got the news.

Simple: He got the news immediately after going there.

Complex: He is so weak that he cannot walk.

Simple: He is too weak to walk.

Complex: He was glad when he heard this.

Simple: He was glad to hear this.

Complex: As I am ill, I cannot go to school.

Simple: I cannot go to school on account of my illness.

Complex: He left after I had come.

Simple: He left after my arrival.

Complex: Though he is ill, he will come.

Simple: In spite of his illness he will come.

Complex: You may talk as much as you like.

Simple: You may talk to your heart's content.

Complex: He will not go unless he is compelled.

Simple: He will go only under compulsion.

Transformation of Complex Sentence into Compound Sentence

In transforming Complex Sentence into Compound Sentence ,Principal Clause should generally be
placed last and Sub-ordinate Cause Should be placed first.

Complex: Though she is intelligent, she is not industrious.

Compound: She is intelligent but not industrious.

Complex: We can easily prove that the earth is round.

Compound: The earth is round and we can easily prove it.

Complex: I'm glad that you have stood first in the examination.
Compound: You have stood first in the examination and I'm glad of it.

Complex: He worked hard so that he might win the prize.

Compound: He wanted to win the prize and so he worked hard.
Complex: I have found the pen that I lost.
Compound: I lost the pen, but have found it.

Complex: When the sun set, we returned home.

Compound: The sun set and we returned home.

Complex: As soon as the boy saw his teacher, he ran away.

Compound: The boy saw his teacher and at once ran away.

Complex: Though he saw the danger, he went on.

Compound: He saw the danger, but went on.

Transformation of Compound Sentence into Simple Sentence

A Compound Sentence may be changed to a Simple Sentence by retaining one of the clauses and substituting a
Gerund, a Participle, an Infinitive or A phrase for each of the other Clause.

Compound: We must eat or we cannot live.

Simple: We must eat to live.

Compound: He tried hard, but he didn't succeed.

Simple: In spite of his trying hard he didn't succeed.

Compound: He wanted to avoid punishment and so he ran away.

Simple: He ran away to avoid punishment.

Compound: He not only made a promise, but kept it.

Simple: Besides making a promise he kept it.

Compound: The sun shone out, and the bats all flew away to their hiding-places.
Simple: The sun having shone out, the bats all flew away to their hiding-places.

Transformation of Compound Sentence into Complex Sentence

In transforming Compound Sentence into Complex Sentence, the Second Clause should be made the Principal
Clause and first should be Sub-ordinate.

Compound: Spare the rod and spoil the child.

Complex: If you spare the rod, you will spoil the child.

Compound: Cross the line and you will be arrested.

Complex: If you cross the line, you will be arrested.

Compound: Do or die.
Complex: If you don't do, you will die.

Compound: Do and die.

Complex: If you do, you will die.
Compound: Waste not, want not.
Complex: If you don't waste (or unless you waste), you will not want.

Compound: He is rich, but he is not happy.

Complex: Though he is rich, he is not happy.

Compound: He was very tired, and therefore he fell asleep.

Complex: As he was very tired, he fell asleep.

Compound: The teacher entered the room and the boys stopped talking.
Complex: When the teacher entered the room, the boys stopped talking.

Exercise 1

1. Transform the following Simple Sentences into Complex one.

(a) He pleaded for his innocence.

(b) I know her name.

(c) I am sure of her success in the examination.

(d) I prayed for his recovery.

(e) They admitted their guilt.

(f) He is a meritorious boy.

(g) I lost this pen yesterday..

(h) I still remember the advice of my departed father.

(i) He is the last man to utter such a word.

(j) I want a car to drive.

(k) Being rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor.

(l) He is too weak to move out of doors,

(m) He is working day and night to finish the book.

(n) We went to station by taxi to avoid missing the train.

(o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall without a ticket.

(p) In spite of being old he carried a load of two baskets,

(q) She danced like an expert dancer.

(r) Your learning increases in proportion to your reading.

Answers of Exercise No 1

(a) He pleaded that he was innocent. (b) I know what her name is. (c) I am sure that she will succeed in the
examination. (d) I prayed that he might recover. (e) They admitted that they were guilty. (f) He is a boy who has
his merit. (g) This is the pen which I lost yesterday. (h) I still remember the advice which was given by my
departed father, (i) He is the last man who can utter such a word. (j) I want a car that I can drive. (k) As he is rich
he cannot understand the suffering of the poor (l) He is so weak that he cannot move out of doors, (m) He is
working day and night so that he may finish the book, (n) We went to station by taxi lest we should miss the train.
(o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall unless he has a ticker. (p) Though he was old, he carried a load of
two baskets, (q) She danced as if she were an expert dancer. (r) The more you read, the more you learn.

Exercise 2

2. Transform the following Simple Sentences into Compound one.

(a) Going to the garden, Tukai saw a red rose.
(b) Besides giving us advice, he helped us with money.
(c) To add to his misfortune his father died.
(d) Ram was present. Shyam was present.
(e) Rinku likes tea. Tinku likes tea.
(f) He kept his promise.
(g) In spite of being old he was young at heart.
(h) Notwithstanding her pitfalls I love her.
(i) He had all the qualifications for the post except honesty.
(j) In spite of my annoyance, I kept quiet.
(k) I would come to be engaged.
(l) He is weak, He works hard.
(m) You must avoid fat to lose weight
(n) He would have been insulted but for your timely intervention.
(o) Take another chance to avoid the peril of your life.
(p) He is mad Or he feigns madness.
(q) Don't be a borrower, Don't be a lender.
(r) His work being unsatisfactory he was dismissed.
(s) He gained prominence by virtue of his sincerity.
(t) Walking all day long he came back home.

Answers of Exercise No 2

(a) Tukai went to the garden and saw a red rose, (b) He gave us not only advice but also money, (c) His father
died and this added to his misfortune (d) Ram as well as Shyam was present (e) Both Rinku and Tinku like tea. (f)
He not only made a promise but (but also) kept it. (g) He was old but he was young at heart, (h) She has her
pitfalls, yet I love her. (i) He had all the qualifications for the post, but he was not honest. (j) I was annoyed, still I
kept quiet. (k) I would come; only that I am engaged (l) He is weak; nevertheless, he works hard. (m) You must
avoid fat, or you will not lose weight (n) You had intervened timely, otherwise he would have been insulted. (o)
Take another chance, else your life will be at peril. (p) Either he is mad, or he feigns madness. (q) Neither a
borrower, nor a lender be. (r) His work was unsatisfactory; therefore, he was dismissed. (s) He was sincere, and so
he gained prominence. (t) He came back home; for he had walked all day long.
 Exercise 3

3. Transform the following Complex Sentences into Simple one.

(a) He pleaded that he was innocent.

(b) I know what her name is.

(c) I am sure that she will succeed in the examination.

(d) I prayed that he might recover.

(e) They admitted that they were guilty.

(f) He is a boy who has his merit.

(g) This is the pen which I lost yesterday.

(h) I still remember the advice which was given by my departed father,

(i) He is the last man who can utter such a word.

(j) I want a car that I can drive.

(k) As he is rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor

(l) He is so weak that he cannot move out of doors,

(m) He is working day and night so that he may finish the book,

(n) We went to station by taxi lest we should miss the train.

(o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall unless he has a ticker.

(p) Though he was old, he carried a load of two baskets,

(q) She danced as if she were an expert dancer.

(r) The more you read, the more you learn.

Answers of Exercise No 3

(a) He pleaded for his innocence. (b) I know her name. (c) I am sure of her success in the examination. (d) I
prayed for his recovery. (e) They admitted their guilt. (f) He is a meritorious boy. (g) I lost this pen yesterday.. (h)
I still remember the advice of my departed father. (i) He is the last man to utter such a word. (j) I want a car to
drive. (k) Being rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor. (l) He is too weak to move out of doors, (m)
He is working day and night to finish the book. (n) We went to station by taxi to avoid missing the train. (o)
Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall without a ticket. (p) In spite of being old he carried a load of two baskets,
(q) She danced like an expert dancer. (r) Your learning increases in proportion to your reading.

Exercise 4

4. Transform the following Complex Sentences into Compound one.

(a) Though he is poor, he is honest.

(b) If you, do it, you will be punished.
(c) you do not do it, you will be punished.
(d) I am sure that you are wrong.
(e) As he was ill, he could not go.
(f) Unless you do it, I shall fine you.
(g) If you do not work hard, you will fail.
(h) He could not come because he was ill.
(i) He kept the promise he had made.
(j) I offended him because I did this.
(k) If he does not return the goods, he must pay the bill.
(l) He came home in order that he might see you.
Answers of Exercise No 4

(a) He is poor but he is honest. (b) Do it and you will be punished. (c) Do it or you will be punished. (d) You are
wrong and of this I am sure. (e) He was ill and therefore he could not go. (f) Do it or I shall fine you. (g) Work
hard or you will fail. (h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come. (i) He not only made a promise but also kept it.
(j) I did this and so offended him. (k) He must return the goods or pay the bill. (l) He wanted to see you, and so he
came home.

Exercise 5

5. Transform the following Compound Sentences into Simple one.

(a) Tukai went to the garden and saw a red rose,

(b) He gave us not only advice but also money,
(c) His father died and this added to his misfortune
(d) Ram as well as Shyam was present
(e) Both Rinku and Tinku like tea.
(f) He not only made a promise but (but also) kept it.
(g) He was old but he was young at heart,
(h) She has her pitfalls, yet I love her.
(i) He had all the qualifications for the post, but he was not honest.
(j) I was annoyed, still I kept quiet.
(k) I would come; only that I am engaged
(l) He is weak; nevertheless, he works hard.
(m) You must avoid fat, or you will not lose weight
(n) You had intervened timely, otherwise he would have been insulted.
(o) Take another chance, else your life will be at peril.
(p) Either he is mad, or he feigns madness.
(q) Neither a borrower, nor a lender be.
(r) His work was unsatisfactory; therefore, he was dismissed.
(s) He was sincere, and so he gained prominence.
(t) He came back home; for he had walked all day long.
Answers of Exercise No 5

(a) He is poor but he is honest. (b) Do it and you will be punished. (c) Do it or you will be punished. (d) You are
wrong and of this I am sure. (e) He was ill and therefore he could not go. (f) Do it or I shall fine you. (g) Work
hard or you will fail. (h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come. (i) He not only made a promise but also kept it.
(j) I did this and so offended him. (k) He must return the goods or pay the bill. (l) He wanted to see you, and so he
came home.

Exercise 6

6. Transform the following Compound Sentences into Complex one.

(a) He is poor but he is honest.

(b) Do it, and you will be punished.
(c) Do it, or you will be punished.
(d) You are wrong and of this I am sure.
(e) He was ill and therefore he could not go.
(f) Do it, or I shall fine you.
(g) Work hard or you will fail.
(h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come.
(i) He not only made a promise but also kept it.
(j) I did this and so offended him.
(k) He must return the goods or pay the bill.
(l) He wanted to see you, and so he came home.
Answers of Exercise No 6

(a) Though he is poor, he is honest. (b) If you, do it, you will be punished. (c) You do not do it, you will be
punished. (d) I am sure that you are wrong. (e) As he was ill, he could not go. (f) Unless you do it, I shall fine
you. (g) If you do not work hard, you will fail. (h) He could not come because he was ill. (i) He kept the promise
he had made. (j) I offended him because I did this. (k) If he does not return the goods, he must pay the bill. (l) He
came home in order that he might see you.

[https://www.suggestiveenglish.com/2021/09/simple-complex-compound-transformation-of-sentences.html]