I. Simple ➜ Complex
(Convert a single-clause sentence into one containing a subordinate clause.)
| # | SIMPLE (one finite verb) | COMPLEX (adds a subordinate clause) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Finishing his work, he went home. | After he finished his work, he went home. | adverb-clause of time |
| 2 | Being ill, she stayed in bed. | Because she was ill, she stayed in bed. | adverb-clause of reason |
| 3 | He spoke loudly to be heard. | He spoke loudly so that everyone could hear him. | purpose |
| 4 | He was too weak to walk. | He was so weak that he could not walk. | result |
| 5 | Despite the rain, we played. | Although it was raining, we played. | concession |
| 6 | On seeing the snake, she screamed. | When she saw the snake, she screamed. | time |
| 7 | In case of fire, break the glass. | If a fire breaks out, break the glass. | condition |
| 8 | The boy standing at the gate is my brother. | The boy who is standing at the gate is my brother. | adjective-clause |
| 9 | Alexander, conqueror of the world, died young. | Alexander, who conquered the world, died young. | apposition ➜ relative clause |
| 10 | His wish is to travel the world. | His wish is that he should travel the world. | infinitive ➜ noun clause |
| 11 | With the moon rising, the tide turned. | When the moon rose, the tide turned. | absolute phrase ➜ time clause |
| 12 | Owing to her kindness, we succeeded. | Since she was kind, we succeeded. | reason |
| 13 | For want of evidence, the case collapsed. | Because evidence was wanting, the case collapsed. | reason (negative) |
| 14 | He ran fast enough to catch the bus. | He ran so fast that he caught the bus. | result |
| 15 | To avoid a penalty, obey the rules. | If you want to avoid a penalty, obey the rules. | purpose/condition |
II. Complex ➜ Simple
(Replace the subordinate clause with a phrase, infinitive, gerund, or absolute construction.)
| # | COMPLEX (clause) | SIMPLE (single finite verb) | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | When he saw the police, he ran away. | Seeing the police, he ran away. | participial phrase |
| 2 | Although she was tired, she kept working. | In spite of being tired, she kept working. | gerund / prepositional phrase |
| 3 | As it was late, we left early. | Being late, we left early. | participle |
| 4 | Because he was hungry, he ate quickly. | Being hungry, he ate quickly. | participle |
| 5 | If you work hard, you will succeed. | By working hard, you will succeed. | preposition + gerund |
| 6 | After the rain had stopped, play resumed. | After the rain, play resumed. | prepositional phrase |
| 7 | Since she lacked money, she borrowed some. | For want of money, she borrowed some. | noun phrase |
| 8 | While the guests were arriving, we prepared tea. | During the guests’ arrival, we prepared tea. | noun (verbal) |
| 9 | Though he is poor, he is honest. | Despite his poverty, he is honest. | abstract noun |
| 10 | So that he might pass, he studied hard. | He studied hard to pass. | infinitive of purpose |
| 11 | Wherever he goes, he is welcomed. | He is welcomed everywhere. | adverb substitution |
| 12 | As soon as the bell rang, the students left. | On the bell ringing, the students left. | gerund phrase |
| 13 | When the work was finished, they left. | The work finished, they left. | absolute construction |
| 14 | Because the task was impossible, they gave up. | Finding the task impossible, they gave up. | participle |
| 15 | If the orders are not followed, you will be fined. | Failing to follow the orders will earn you a fine. | gerund phrase (negative idea) |
How to use these examples
-
Identify the clause (time, reason, purpose, condition, concession, etc.).
-
Choose the matching phrase-type (present/past participle, infinitive, gerund, absolute phrase, noun/adjective phrase).
-
Prune one finite verb so that the resulting simple sentence has only one.
-
Reverse the process to go back to complex form.
