Grammatical Accuracy: Structure and Use of Complex Sentences for SS 1

Complex Sentence

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. explain what a complex sentence is;
2. identify complex sentences;
3. construct complex sentences.

Meaning of a Complex Sentence

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

This structural type of sentence allows writers to express multiple ideas in a single sentence while showing the relationship between those ideas. By using a complex sentence, a writer can make one idea more important than the other. The more important idea is placed in the independent clause, while the supporting or secondary idea is placed in the dependent clause.

Essential Features of Complex Sentences

To understand and construct complex sentences accurately, several grammatical features must be mastered. These features include clauses, subordinators and concord.

Types of Clauses

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a finite verb.

An independent clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

An independent clause is also known as a main clause. It forms the backbone of any complex sentence.

A dependent clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb that does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

A dependent clause is also known as a subordinate clause. It relies on the independent clause to complete its meaning.

The three main types of dependent clauses are:

1. Noun Clauses: These perform the functions of a noun in a sentence, such as acting as a subject or an object. For example, in the sentence “What the teacher said encouraged the students,” the clause “What the teacher said” is a noun clause acting as the subject.
2. Adjectival (Relative) Clauses: These modify nouns or pronouns, providing more information about them. They usually begin with relative pronouns. For example, in the sentence “The textbook which was recommended is expensive,” the clause “which was recommended” is an adjectival clause modifying the noun “textbook.”
3. Adverbial Clauses: These modify verbs, adjectives or adverbs, indicating time, place, reason, condition, concession or manner. For example, in the sentence “The match was postponed because it rained heavily,” the clause “because it rained heavily” is an adverbial clause of reason modifying the verb “postponed.”

Subordinators

A subordinator is a linking word that connects a dependent clause to an independent clause, showing the relationship between them.

Subordinators are essential because they introduce dependent clauses. Without a subordinator, a dependent clause cannot be attached to an independent clause. Subordinators are divided into subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.

Examples of subordinating conjunctions include:

1. Because: Used to show cause or reason.
2. Although: Used to show concession or contrast.
3. If: Used to show condition.
4. When: Used to show time.
5. Since: Used to show time or reason.
6. While: Used to show time or contrast.

Examples of relative pronouns include:

1. Who: Used to refer to people as subjects.
2. Whom: Used to refer to people as objects.
3. Whose: Used to show possession.
4. Which: Used to refer to animals, objects or ideas.
5. That: Used to refer to people, animals, objects or ideas in restrictive clauses.

Concord in Complex Sentences

Concord is the grammatical agreement between words in a sentence, such as agreement in number, person or gender between a subject and its verb.

In a complex sentence, concord must be maintained within both the independent clause and the dependent clause. Each clause has its own subject and verb, and each subject must agree with its corresponding verb.

A specific concord rule applies to relative clauses. When a relative pronoun (who, which or that) serves as the subject of a dependent clause, the verb in that clause must agree in number and person with the noun or pronoun that the relative pronoun refers to. This noun or pronoun is called the antecedent.

The following examples demonstrate relative pronoun concord:

1. Singular Antecedent: “The student who is studying in the library is diligent.” In this sentence, the relative pronoun “who” refers to the singular noun “student.” Therefore, the singular verb “is” is used in the dependent clause.
2. Plural Antecedent: “The students who are studying in the library are diligent.” Here, the relative pronoun “who” refers to the plural noun “students.” Therefore, the plural verb “are” is used in the dependent clause.
3. First-Person Antecedent: “It is I who am responsible for the project.” The relative pronoun “who” refers to the first-person pronoun “I.” Therefore, the verb “am” must be used in the dependent clause, not “is.”

Structure of a Complex Sentence

The structure of a complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clause can be placed before, after or inside the independent clause.

When a dependent clause begins the sentence, a comma must be placed immediately after it to separate it from the independent clause. When the independent clause begins the sentence, a comma is generally not required before the dependent clause.

The following analyses of specific complex sentences illustrate this structure.

Analysis of Example A

Consider the sentence: “The man who came last night was her father.”

The structural components of this sentence are:

1. Independent Clause: “The man was her father.” This clause contains a subject (“The man”) and a verb (“was”), expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
2. Dependent Clause: “who came last night.” This is an adjectival (relative) clause that modifies the noun “man.” It cannot stand alone as a sentence.
3. Subordinator: “who.” This is a relative pronoun that introduces the dependent clause and links it to the noun “man” in the independent clause.

In this example, the dependent clause is embedded directly inside the independent clause, splitting the subject (“The man”) from its verb (“was”).

Analysis of Example B

Consider the sentence: “The rat ran out of the room when the children ran in.”

The structural components of this second example are:

1. Independent Clause: “The rat ran out of the room.” This clause contains a subject (“The rat”) and a verb (“ran”), expresses a complete thought and can stand alone.
2. Dependent Clause: “when the children ran in.” This is an adverbial clause of time that modifies the verb “ran” in the independent clause. It cannot stand alone.
3. Subordinator: “when.” This is a subordinating conjunction of time that introduces the dependent clause and connects it to the independent clause.

In this example, the independent clause comes first, so no comma is used to separate the two clauses. If the order were reversed, a comma would be required: “When the children ran in, the rat ran out of the room.”

How to Identify Complex Sentences

Identifying complex sentences in a passage or a list of sentences requires a systematic approach. This skill is essential for reading comprehension and grammatical analysis.

The steps for identifying a complex sentence are:

1. Locate the Finite Verbs: Count the number of finite verbs in the sentence. A complex sentence must have at least two finite verbs, as each clause requires its own verb.
2. Identify the Subordinators: Look for subordinating conjunctions (such as because, although, if, when, since) or relative pronouns (such as who, which, that). The presence of a subordinator indicates the start of a dependent clause.
3. Separate the Clauses: Divide the sentence into its constituent clauses. Determine which clause can stand alone as a complete thought (the independent clause) and which clause cannot stand alone (the dependent clause).
4. Verify the Count: Ensure there is exactly one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. If there are two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as and, but, or), the sentence is compound, not complex.

The following table contrasts simple sentences, compound sentences and complex sentences to assist in identification:

How to Construct Complex Sentences

Constructing complex sentences is an important skill for writing essays, letters and reports. It allows for the smooth transition of thoughts and prevents writing from sounding repetitive or childish.

The steps for constructing a complex sentence from two simple sentences are:

1. Identify the Relationship: Determine the logical relationship between the two simple sentences. Decide if the relationship is about time, reason, condition, contrast or description.
2. Choose an Appropriate Subordinator: Select a subordinator that matches the identified relationship. For example, use “because” for reason, “although” for contrast, “when” for time or “who” for describing a person.
3. Designate the Main Idea: Decide which of the two simple sentences contains the more important information. This sentence will become the independent clause. The other sentence will become the dependent clause.
4. Apply the Subordinator: Place the subordinator at the beginning of the sentence that is to become the dependent clause. This action changes the simple sentence into a dependent clause.
5. Combine the Clauses: Join the dependent clause to the independent clause. Apply correct punctuation rules regarding the use of commas based on the position of the dependent clause.
6. Check for Concord: Review the completed sentence to ensure that the subjects and verbs in both clauses agree in number and person.

Worked Example 1: Joining by Reason

Consider these two simple sentences:

1. “The students missed the school bus.”
2. “They woke up late.”

The relationship between these sentences is cause and effect (reason). The appropriate subordinator is “because.” The main idea is that they missed the bus. By applying the steps, the complex sentence is constructed as:

“The students missed the school bus because they woke up late.”

Alternatively, the dependent clause can be placed first, requiring a comma: “Because they woke up late, the students missed the school bus.”

Worked Example 2: Joining by Description

Consider these two simple sentences:

1. “The farmer harvested the cocoa beans.”
2. “The farmer owns the large plantation.”

The relationship is descriptive, focusing on the person (“The farmer”). The appropriate subordinator is the relative pronoun “who.” By embedding the descriptive clause into the main clause, the complex sentence is constructed as:

“The farmer who owns the large plantation harvested the cocoa beans.”

Note that the verb “owns” in the dependent clause agrees with the singular antecedent “farmer,” maintaining correct concord.

Summary of Key Points

The essential concepts covered in this unit are:

1. A complex sentence consists of exactly one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
2. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone and must be introduced by a subordinator.
3. Subordinators include subordinating conjunctions (such as because, although, if, when) and relative pronouns (such as who, which, that).
4. Concord must be maintained in both clauses. In relative clauses, the verb must agree in number and person with the antecedent of the relative pronoun.
5. Punctuation in complex sentences depends on clause order: a comma is required when the dependent clause begins the sentence, but is usually omitted when the independent clause begins the sentence.

Evaluation Exercises

The evaluation exercises are:

1. Explain what a complex sentence is, clearly distinguishing between an independent clause and a dependent clause.
2. Identify the independent clause, the dependent clause and the subordinator in each of the following complex sentences:
   1. Although the rain was heavy, the farmers went to the field.
   2. The teacher praised the boy who returned the lost wallet.
   3. We will start the meeting when the principal arrives.
   4. The house which was built near the river has been flooded.
   5. If you study hard, you will pass the examination.
3. Combine each pair of simple sentences below to form a grammatically correct complex sentence. Ensure proper punctuation and concord:
   1. The market women closed their stalls. The sun set.
   2. The doctor treated the patients. The patients were injured in the accident.
   3. The food was very delicious. My mother cooked it.
   4. The security guard stood at the gate. He was very alert.
   5. The match was cancelled. The pitch was waterlogged.
4. Construct five original complex sentences. Underline the independent clause once and the dependent clause twice in each sentence.