What are Simple, compound and complex sentences their transformation or Synthesis

Shree Ganeshay Namah

Introduction

Forming and using simple, compound, and complex sentences is a very important skill for better English communication. If you know this concept then you will have an advantage in your English language usage.

I heard about the simple, compound, and complex sentences in my post-graduate syllabus and I realized that this concept was not taught in the old-school syllabus. As a result, most people face problems with their use. I personally collected all the available material and learned them.

Now here I am giving you my 16 years of study and application process of simple, compound, and complex sentences for your better understanding. We will know what are simple, compound, and complex sentences and how they can be transformed into each other.

What is a simple sentence?

What is a compound sentence?

What is a complex sentence?

What is the transformation (Synthesis) of sentences?

What are the methods of sentence transformation with examples?

You will get answers to all these questions in the best possible way with easy explanations and a lot of practical examples.

Here we go—–

Types of sentences based on clause construction

We know that there are 4 types of sentences based on the meaning point of view. We can make them in all TENSES. Even their Passive voice is possible. They are

1)Statement(Assertive sentences)-

2)Interrogative sentences(Questions)

3)Exclamatory sentences-

4)Imperative sentences-

But from a clause construction point of view, there are 3 types of sentences. They are

1)Simple sentences-

2)Compound sentences-

3)Complex sentences-

Let us know everything about them—-

1)Simple sentence—

A sentence that contains only one main clause(Sentence with subject and predicate) is called a simple sentence.

Eg.1)We are creative learners.

2)She is a helpful teacher.

3)Trees are selfless friends.

2)Compound sentence

A sentence that contains two or more main clauses is called a compound sentence.

Eg. 1)We are learners and we are creative.

2)She is a teacher and she is helpful.

3)Trees are friends and they are selfless.

3)Complex sentence

A sentence containing one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses is called a complex sentence.

Eg. 1)We are learners who are creative.

2)She is a teacher who is helpful.

3)Trees are friends which are selfless.

Some more examples to clarify the concept of simple, compound, and complex sentences—

1)computer is a very useful machine—simple.

2) a Computer is a machine and it is very useful.

3)Computer is a machine that is very useful.

b)

1)John is a popular student.—simple.

2)John is a student and he is popular.—compound.

3)John is a student who is popular.—complex.

c)

1)He tells interesting stories.—simple.

2)He tells stories and they are interesting.

3)He tells stories that are interesting.

The above examples will give you a good idea of simple, compound, and complex sentences and how we can write the same sentence in three different ways without changing its meaning.

Further, we will study the transformation or synthesis of simple, compound, and complex sentences.

Transformation(synthesis) of simple, compound, and complex sentences

Transformation or synthesis means changing simple sentences to compound or compound sentences to simple or complex and complex sentences to simple or compound sentences.

It is a very handy skill to learn to transform sentences from simple, compound, and complex sentences. You can express a wide variety of meanings through it. Your speech will be more precise and easy to understand.

Most important thing is that you can easily summarize and compress the content without losing its soul. We will see the following transformations––

1)Compound to simple

2)Compound to complex—

3)Complex to simple—

4)Complex to compound—

5)Simple to compound—

6)Simple to complex—

Let us get started—

1)Transformation from compound to simple sentences

We know compound sentences consisting of two or more main clauses connected by co-ordinating conjunctions like and, or, but, not only but also, neither-nor, either-or, as well as, both-and, etc. The basic idea behind the transformation is that remove the structure of one clause and transform it into a phrase.

For transforming them, we can use the following methods.

1)By using v1+ing of the main verb in one clause.

Eg. 1)He learned new things and he became successful.

Simple sentence—Learning new things he became successful.

2)We will rain arrows and (we will) defeat you.

Simple—Raining arrows we will defeat you.

3)She cleaned home and (she) left for college.

Simple sentence—Cleaning home she left for college.

2)By using By+v1+ing

Note—when there is one action and the means to do that action then we use by +v1+ing with the verb showing the means to do action.

Eg. 1)He studied hard and he stood first in the class.

Simple—He stood first in the class by studying hard.

2)People work hard and they earn money.

Simple—People earn money by working hard.

3)By using After+v1+ing 

Eg. 1)They finished their match and went to the movie.

Simple—After finishing their match they went to the movie.

2)Sam answered the questions and sat down.

Simple—After answering the questions Sam sat down.

4)By using before+v1+ing

Eg. 1)He set alarm and then he went to bed.

Simple—Before going to bed he set alarm.

2)You called me and discussed things.

Simple—Before discussing things you called me.

5)By using without+v1+ing

Eg. 1)He got up but he did not take books.

Simple—He got up without taking books.

2)Transformation from Compound to complex sentences

We can transform compound sentences by transforming one main clause of the compound sentence into the sub-ordinate clause.

Eg. 1)He ran fast and caught the thieves.

Complex—He ran fast so that he could catch the thieves.

2)I reached home and it was 8.00 pm.

Complex—I reached home when it was 8.00 pm.

3)Transformation from complex to simple sentences

Complex sentences can be converted into simple ones by using the following methods.

The basic concept of this type of transformation is that we should remove the sub-ordinate clause structure and change it into a phrase that does not have a subject and main verb.

1)By using the present participle(v1+ing) form of the main verb in the subordinate clause

we can transform complex sentences to simple—

Eg. 1)There is a big tree which gives fruits and flowers.

Simple—There is a big tree giving fruits and flowers.

2)When the prince noticed their mistakes, He got angry.

Simple—Noticing their mistakes the prince got angry.

3)We should eat food that provides essential nutrients.

Simple—We should eat food providing essential nutrients.

4)Patriot is a person who loves his country.

Simple—Patriot is a person loving his country.

5)Work that gives dignity is the best for me.

Simple— Work-giving dignity is the best for me.

2)By using infinitive(To+v1)

we can transform complex sentences to simple ones—

A complex sentence is transformed into simple by using to+v1—

Eg. 1)He ran away when he saw the police.

Simple—He ran away to see the police.

2)We had no food that we could eat.

Simple—-We had no food to eat.

3)By using Have+ ing +v3(Past participle)

we can transform complex sentences to simple—

Eg.1)He finished his work, so he was happy.

Simple—Having finished his work he was happy.

2)when he solved all the sums, He started watching TV.

Simple—Having solved all the sums he started watching TV.

4)By using too—to

we can transform complex sentences to simple ones—

Eg. 1)He was so tired that he could not stand up.

Simple—He was too tired to stand up.

2)She is so sad that she can not speak.

Simple—She is too sad to speak.

5)By using a noun phrase

we can transform complex sentences to simple ones—

Eg. 1)He confessed that he had committed a crime.

Simple—He confessed his crime.

6)By using by+v1+ing

we can transform complex sentences to simple—

Eg. 1)When he tried hard, he achieved success.

Simple—He achieved success by trying hard.

2)When we wish for something from the heart, we get it.

Simple—We get something by wishing it from the heart.

7)By using nouns for noun clause

we can transform complex sentences to simple ones—

Eg. 1)You said that you were happy.

Simple—You declared your happiness.

8)By using adjectives for  adjective clause

Eg. 1)The person who is happy is liked by all.

Simple—Happy person is liked by all.

9)By using prepositions with its object

Eg.1)School where they learn is highly reputed.

Simple—Their learning school is highly reputed.

2)The park where they visit daily is a good place.

Simple—Their daily visiting park is a good place.

4)Complex to compound

The basic idea behind this transformation is that we should transform the subordinate clause to the main clause so that the complex sentence will become compound.

Eg.1)He is the teacher who won this prize.

Compound—-He is the teacher and he has won this prize.

2)She has invented a device which is very useful.

Compound—She has invented a device and it is very useful.

5)Transformation of Simple sentences to compound

Here we will make two main clauses from one main clause present in a simple sentence and connect these two main clauses by co-ordinating conjunction like and, or, but, not only but also, as well as, both-and, neither- nor, either-or

Eg.1)By asking difficult questions he confused me.

Compound—He asked difficult questions and (he) confused me.

2)Running fast she reached in time for the event.

Compound—She ran fast and (she) reached in time for the event.

6)Transformation of Simple sentence into complex sentence

We can transform a simple sentence by adding one subordinate clause with the main clause in the given sentence. For that, we should prepare a suitable clause as per the meaning of the sentence and the requirement.

Eg.1)He is a versatile dancer.

Complex—He is a dancer who is versatile.

2)Fruits provide essential nutrients.

Complex—-Fruits provide nutrients that are essential.

In this way, we have learned about all the details of simple compound and complex sentences. Now we will see exercises about them to strengthen our knowledge.

Exercise for simple, compound, and complex sentences’ transformation or synthesis

1)This is the place where he was defeated.(Make simple)

Ans.-He was defeated here, or He was defeated at this place.

2)This is where the vicious circle starts.(make simple)

Ans.-The vicious circle starts from here.

3)He spent all his money carelessly and now he is repenting.

Ans.-Having spent all his money carelessly, he is repenting now.

4)My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order.(make simple)

Ans.-My doctors advised me to go home to get my affairs In order.

5)Anne decided to write the diary that her parents had given her.(Make simple by removing which)

Ans.-Anne decided to write the diary, given by her parents.

6)I feel like a songbird whose wings have been torn off.(Make simple)(remove whose)

Ans.-I feel like a songbird with torn-off wings.

7)I wake up at 5.00 a.m. and go for the morning walk.(make simple)

Ans.-Waking up at 5.00 a.m. I go for the morning walk.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, we can conclude that a simple sentence has one main clause and compound sentence has 2 or more main clauses and a complex sentence has one main and one or more subordinate clauses.

We can transform simple, compound, and complex sentences by using various methods but an important role is played by an infinitive(To+v1)and gerund(v1+ing). The basic idea of transformation(synthesis) is that we have to create or remove clause structures as per sentence type without changing the meaning and tense of the sentence.

We are sure you will like this work and we request you give your valuable suggestions and feedback through your comments.

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