Analysis of Complex Sentences

Analysis of Simple Sentences

In analyzing a simple sentence, we first divide it into the complete subject and the complete predicate.
Then we point out the simple subject with its modifiers and the simple predicate with its modifiers and
complement (if there is one). If either the subject or the predicate is compound, we mention the
simple subjects or predicates that are joined.

1. The polar bear lives in the Arctic regions.

This is a simple sentence. The complete subject is the polar bear. The complete predicate is lives in the
Arctic regions. The simple subject is the noun bear. The simple predicate is the verb lives. Bear is
modified by the adjectives the and polar. LIVES is modified by the adverbial phrase in the Arctic
regions. This phrase consists of the preposition in; its object, the noun regions and the adjectives the
and Arctic, modifying regions.

2. The polar bear and the walrus live and thrive in the Arctic regions.

The complete subject is the polar bear and the walrus. Two simple subjects (bear and walrus) are
joined by the conjunction and to make a compound subject, and two simple predicates (live and thrive)
are joined by and to make a compound predicate. Live and thrive are both modified by the adverbial
phrase in the Arctic regions.

Analysis of Compound Sentences

In analyzing a compound sentence we first divide it into its coördinate clauses, and then analyze each
clause by itself. Thus…..

The polar bear lives in the Arctic regions, but it sometimes reaches temperate latitudes.

This is a compound sentence consisting of two coördinate clauses joined by the conjunction but (1) the
polar bear lives in the Arctic regions and (2) it sometimes reaches temperate latitudes. The complete
subject of the first clause is the polar bear. The subject of the second clause is it; the complete
predicate is sometimes reaches temperate latitudes. The simple predicate is reaches, which is modified
by the adverb sometimes and is completed by the direct object latitudes. The complement latitudes is
modified by the adjective temperate.

Analysis of Complex Sentences

In analyzing a complex sentence, we first divide it into the main clause and the subordinate clause.

1. The polar bear, which lives in the Arctic regions, sometimes reaches temperate latitudes.

This is a complex sentence. The main clause is the polar bear sometimes reaches temperate latitudes;
the subordinate clause is which lives in the Arctic regions. The complete subject of the sentence is the
polar bear, which lives in the Arctic regions; the complete predicate is sometimes reaches temperate
latitudes. The simple subject is bear, which is modified by the adjectives the and polar and by the
adjective clause which lives in the Arctic regions. The simple predicate is reaches, which is modified by
the adverb sometimes and completed by the direct object latitudes. This complement, latitudes, is
modified by the adjective temperate. The subordinate clause is introduced by the relative pronoun
which. [Then analyze the subordinate clause.]

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2. The polar bear reaches temperate latitudes when the ice drifts southward.

This is a complex sentence. The main clause is the polar bear reaches temperate latitudes; the
subordinate clause is when the ice drifts southward. The complete subject of the sentence is the polar
bear; the complete predicate is reaches temperate latitudes when the ice drifts southward. The simple
subject is bear, which is modified by the adjectives the and polar. The simple predicate is reaches,
which is modified by the adverbial clause when the ice drifts southward, and completed by the noun
latitudes (the direct object of reaches). The complement latitudes is modified by the adjective
temperate. The subordinate clause is introduced by the relative adverb when. [Then analyze the
subordinate clause.]

3. The polar bear, which lives in the Arctic regions when it is at home, sometimes reaches temperate
latitudes.

This is a complex sentence. The main clause is the polar bear sometimes reaches temperate latitudes;
the subordinate clause is which lives in the Arctic regions when it is at home, which is complex, since it
contains the adverbial clause when it is at home, modifying the verb lives.

4. He says that the polar bear lives in the Arctic regions.

This is a complex sentence. The main clause is he says; the subordinate clause is that the polar bear
lives in the Arctic regions. The subject of the sentence is he, the complete predicate is says that the
polar bear lives in the Arctic regions. The simple predicate is says, which is completed by its direct
object, the noun clause that ... regions, introduced by the conjunction that. [Then analyze the
subordinate clause.]

5. That the polar bear sometimes reaches temperate latitudes is a familiar fact.

This is a complex sentence. The main clause (is a familiar fact) appears as a predicate only, since the
subordinate clause (that the polar bear sometimes reaches temperate latitudes) is a noun clause used
as the complete subject of the sentence. The simple predicate is is, which is completed by the
predicate nominative fact. This complement is modified by the adjectives a and familiar. The
subordinate clause, which is used as the complete subject, is introduced by the conjunction that. [Then
analyze this clause.]

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Analysis of complex sentence
To analyze a complex sentence we use the following method.

1. Find out the principal clause

2. Find out the subordinate clause or clauses

3. Identify the subordinate clause according to its function, as a noun clause, adjective clause or
adverb clause.

4. Show how each subordinate clause is related to the principal clause.

5. Analyze separately the principal clause and each subordinate clause as we analyze a simple
sentence.

Study the following examples carefully.

When the train stopped, we set out for the next town, where we had planned to stay the night.

Principal clause – We set out for the next town.

Adverb clause of time modifying the verb set out – When the train stopped

Adjective clause qualifying the noun town – where we had planned to stay the night

Analyze the following complex sentence

1. As my son had completed his studies, I decided to send him to town, where he might find a
good job.

Principal clause – I decided to send him to town

Adverb clause of cause modifying the verb decided – as my son had completed his studies

Adjective clause qualifying the noun town – where he might find a good job

2. When the siren sounded, all traffic came to a stop.

Principal clause – all traffic came to a stop.

Adverb clause of time modifying the verb came – when the siren sounded

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State the whether the following sentences are simple, complex or compound.

1. If you eat too much you will get fat.

Simple
Complex
Compound
2. I will have a think and let you know.
Simple
Complex
Compound
3. Having been there before he knew what to expect.
Simple
Complex
Compound
4. We got our roof blown off in the storm last week.
Simple
Complex
Compound
5. I went to see him, but he told me to get out.
Simple
Complex
Compound
6. It was John who paid for the drinks.
Simple
Complex
Compound
7. My grandfather died in a hospital.
Simple
Complex
Compound
8. I thought it strange that she hadn’t written.
Simple
Complex
Compound
9. I looked a real fool when I fell in the river.
Simple
Complex
Compound
10. I wasn’t the cleverest but I was the most beautiful.
Simple
Complex
Compound
11. You don’t have to carry identity papers in England.
Simple
Complex
Compound
12. That’s the girl who lives in the flat upstairs.
Simple
Complex
Compound

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Answers
1. If you eat too much you will get fat. (Complex sentence)
2. I will have a think and let you know. (Compound sentence)
3. Having been there before he knew what to expect. (Simple sentence)
4. We got our roof blown off in the storm last week. (Simple sentence)
5. I went to see him, but he told me to get out. (Compound sentence)
6. It was John who paid for the drinks. (Complex sentence)
7. My grandfather died in a hospital. (Simple sentence)
8. I thought it strange that she hadn’t written. (Complex sentence)
9. I looked a real fool when I fell in the river. (Complex sentence)
10. I wasn’t the cleverest but I was the most beautiful. (Compound sentence)
11. You don’t have to carry identity papers in England. (Simple sentence)
12. That’s the girl who lives in the flat upstairs. (Complex sentence)

Analyze the following complex sentences:

1. Where there is a will, there is a way.

2. Take care lest you should fall.
3. When the rain stopped we set out for the next town where we had planned to stay the night.
4. The men managed to survive even though they were three days without water.
5. We will have plenty to eat, provided that no uninvited guests turn up.
6. He works hard that he may become rich.
7. Though he was strong he could not fight against three people at once.
8. His mother said that he had gone to the market to make some purchases.
9. If the dog was mine, I would have taken it to a veterinary doctor.
10. The man who did most to convince the world that slavery was unethical was Wilberforce.

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Answers
1. Principal clause: There is a way
Subordinate clause: Where there is a will (Adverb clause of place/condition)
2. Principal clause: Take care
Subordinate clause: Lest you should fall (Adverb clause of purpose)
3. Principal clause: We set out for the next town
Subordinate clause: When the rain stopped (Adverb clause of time)
Subordinate clause: Where we had planned to stay the night (Adverb clause of place)
4. Principal clause: The men managed to survive
Subordinate clause: Even though they were three days without water (Adverb clause of concession)
5. Principal clause: We will have plenty to eat
Subordinate clause: Provided that no uninvited guests turn up. (Adverb clause of condition)
6. Principal clause: He works hard
Subordinate clause: That he may become rich. (Adverb clause of purpose)
7. Principal clause: He could not fight against three people at once
Subordinate clause: Though he was strong (Adverb clause of concession)
8. Principal clause: His mother said
Subordinate clause: That he had gone to the market to make some purchases (Noun clause)
9. Principal clause: I would have taken it to a veterinary doctor
Subordinate clause: If the dog was mine (Adverb clause of condition)
10. Principal clause: The man was Wilberforce
Subordinate clause: Who did most to convince the world (Adjective clause)
Subordinate clause: That slavery was unethical (Noun clause)

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Transforming Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences:
Converting Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences can be done easily. And this can be done
by simply expanding a word or a phrase into a clause. Moreover, we can do the same thing when
we want to change the Complex Sentences into Simple Sentences. And this can be done by
eliminating a clause into a word or a phrase.

Few examples are given below to understand the concept and conventional rules of
transforming between Simple Sentence and Complex Sentences:-

Rule: 1:
“Present participle” in a simple sentence, to convert into complex sentences by
adding “since/as/when” at the first half of the sentence.
o Simple Sentence: Closing the door, I went back to school.
o Complex Sentence: When I closed the door, I went back to school.
Rule: 2
“Being/ Verb+ing” in a simple sentence, to convert into a complex sentence by
adding “as/when/since” at the first half of the sentence.
o Simple Sentence: After winning a beauty contest she cried.
o Complex Sentence: As she won the beauty contest, she cried.
Rule: 3
“Too…to” in a simple sentence, to convert into a complex sentence by adding “so…that
(negative)”.
o Simple Sentence: He is too weak to carry the box.
o Complex Sentence: He is so weak that he cannot carry the box.
Rule: 4
“To” in the simple sentence, to convert into a complex sentence by adding “so that” in the
sentence.
o Simple sentence: We eat to live.
o Complex Sentence: We eat so that we can live.
Rule: 5
In the simple sentence “in spite of/ despite”, to convert into the complex sentence by
adding “though/ although” in the sentence.
o Simple Sentence: In spite of being rich, she is hard working.
o Complex Sentence: Though she is rich, she is hard working.
Rule: 6
“Because of” in the simple sentence, to convert it to the complex sentence by
adding “since” at the beginning of the sentence.
o Simple Sentence: Because of his illness, he could not join the meeting.
o Complex Sentence: Since he was ill, he could not join the meeting.
Rule: 7
“Subject + verb + object + present participle” type of simple sentence, to convert it to the
complex sentence by “subject + verb + object + relative pronoun of the object + be verb
according to relative pronoun and tense + rest of the sentence”.
o Simple Sentence: I saw a bird flying.
o Complex Sentence: I saw a bird which was flying.

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Rule: 8
In the simple sentence starts with “without”, by adding “if/ in case” is converted into the
complex sentence.
o Simple Sentence: Without adding the sugar the dish will taste bad.
o Complex Sentence: If you do not add sugar the dish will taste bad.
Rule: 9
In the simple sentence “at the time” will be converted into “when” in the complex sentence.
o Simple Sentence: She woke up at the time of load shedding.
o Complex Sentence: She woke up when it was load shedding.
Rule: 10:
In the simple sentence, “adjective” will be converted into “that/which” in the complex
sentence.
o Simple Sentence: It was a blue shirt.
o Complex Sentence: It was a shirt which was blue.
o

Transformation of Sentence

1. To transform an interrogative sentence into an assertive sentence:

An interrogative sentence can be transformed into an assertive sentence and vice-versa.

Example-1:

• When can their glory fade?

This is an interrogative sentence.

This sentence can be transformed into an assertive sentence as follows.

• Their glory can never fade.

Example-2:

• Was he not a villain to do such a

deed?

This interrogative sentence can be

transformed into an assertive
sentence as follows.

• He was a villain to do such a

deed.

Example-3:

• Who can touch ditch without being

defiled? (Interrogative Sentence)
• No one can touch ditch without
being defiled. (Assertive Sentence)

You can see How the

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Transformation-of-Sentence takes
place into the following version
without changing the meaning of
the sentence.

Example-4:

• Who does not know him?

(Interrogative Sentence)
• Every one knows him. (Assertive
Sentence)

Example-5:

• Is this the kind of dress to be

worn for a school function?
(Interrogative Sentence)
• This is not the kind of dress to be
worn for a school function.
(Assertive Sentence)

In this same way an assertive

sentence can be transformed into
an interrogative sentence.

Example-1:

• We were not sent to this world

simply to make money. (Assertive
Sentence)
• Were we sent to this world simply
to make money? (Interrogative
Sentence)

Example-2:

• I never forget those happy days.

(Assertive Sentence)
• Shall I ever forget those happy
days? (Interrogative Sentence)

2. To transform an exclamatory
sentence into an assertive
sentence:

• How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon the river-bank! (Exclamatory Sentence)
• The moonlight sweetly sleeps upon the river-bank. (Assertive Sentence)

Although such an exclamatory sentence can be transformed into an assertive sentence, an exclamatory
sentence is preferred on many occasions to an assertive sentence for the emotional effect that an
exclamatory sentence is carrying.

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• If only I were young again!
(Exclamatory Sentence)
• I wish I were young again.
(Assertive Sentence)

Example-3:

• How beautiful is this night!

(Exclamatory Sentence)
• This night is very beautiful.
(Assertive Sentence)

You can see How the

Transformation-of-Sentence takes
place into the following version
without changing the meaning of
the sentence.

Example-4:

• What a delicious meal!

(Exclamatory Sentence)
• This meal is delicious one.
(Assertive Sentence)

3. To change one part of a

sentence for another part:

The verb of a sentence itself can be

changed into another verb without
change in the meaning of the
sentence.

Example-1:

• This kind of jokes never amuses me.

• This kind of joke never gives me any amusement.

In this sentence the verb has been changed into its noun form.

Example-2:

• It costs twelve dollars.

• Its cost is twelve dollars.

Here also the verb has been changed into its noun form.

You can see How the Transformation-of-Sentences takes place into the following version without
changing the meaning of the sentence.

Example-3:

• He has disgraced his family.

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• He is a disgrace to his family.

Example-4:

• He gave a curt reply.

• He replied curtly.

Here the adjective has been changed into an adverb.

Example-5:

• I see him everyday.

• I see him daily.

Example-6:

• This scene is surpassingly beautiful.

• The beauty of this scene is surpassing.

Here the adjective has been changed into its noun form.

You can see How the Transformation-of-Sentences takes place into the following version without
changing the meaning of the sentence.

Example-7:

• He is admittedly the greatest general of this country.

• It has been admitted that he is the greatest general of this country.

Here, the adverb has been changed into a verb form.

And the simple sentence itself has been changed into a compound sentence.

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