2. GOALS OF SECTION 9.3
IDENTIFY COMPLEX
AND COMPOUND-
COMPLEX
SENTENCES
APPLY THEM IN
THE RIGHT
CONTEXT
2
3. 3. The complex sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent clause plus
one or more dependent clauses. There are three types of
dependent clauses:
3.1. Noun clause
3.2. Adjective Clause (Relative Clause)
3.3. Adverbial Clause
3
4. 3.3. Adverbial clause
A dependent clause that takes the place of an adverb in a sentence (that is, it
answers one of the following questions: when, where, why, how, for what purpose,
under what condition?)
Characteristics of an adverbial clause:
An adverb clause contains a subject and a verb.
An adverb clause answers an adverb question: when? where? why? how? for
what purpose? in what manner? under what condition?
An adverb clause can usually be move - as a whole - to another location
in the sentence without changing the meaning of the sentence.
An adverb clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.
4
5. A
dv
er
bi
al
cl
au
se
s
Manner as
(in) the (same) way (that)
as if/ as though
I think this steak is exactly as my mom likes it.
You never do anything the way I show you.
It sounds as if it’s raining.
Time when, before, after, as, as
soon as, by the time
(that), once, since, until/
till, while, the moment,
etc.
When we visited London, we went to the Tower.
I phoned home immediately after I arrived in the airport building.
The building had almost burnt down by the time the fire brigade
arrived.
We realized that something had gone wrong as soon as we saw him run
towards us.
You’ll get a surprise the moment you open the door.
Place where
wherever
anywhere
everywhere
This is the exact spot where the accident happened.
You’re not allowed to park anywhere you like.
Some television programs are familiar everywhere you go in the world.
Reason because
as/ since/ for
seeing (as/that)
Service in this hotel ought to improve because there’s been a change of
management.
As it’s a public holiday, you won’t find many shops open.
We may as well go to the concert, seeing as we've already paid for
the tickets.
5
6. Contrast although/ though
even though/ even if
much as
while
whereas
considering that
however + adj/ adv
no matter
I am going to buy a computer even though I haven’t got much
money.
I intend to go for a walk this morning even if it’s raining.
Much as I’d like to help you, I’m afraid I won’t be able to.
While your design is excellent, it isn’t suitable for our purposes.
Whereas the play was wonderful, the film was a commercial
failure.
Considering that Chinese is so difficult, it’s surprising how many
people learn it.
I intend to buy a smartphone however much/ whatever it costs.
They’ll find him no matter where he’s hiding.
Purpose so that
in order that
in case
I spent 2 years in Japan so that/ in order that I might learn
Japanese.
Take an umbrella with you in case it rains.
Result so… that
such…that
She is so lovely that almost everybody likes her.
She is such a lovely lady that almost everybody likes her.
Comparison as…as He plays the violin as well as she (does).
You didn’t drive as carefully as I (did).
6
7. Participle Present Reduction of relative clauses The man who is working there is her husband.
(Active)
The man working there is her husband.
Reduction of adverbial clauses Since we arrived here, we have made many new
friends.
Since arriving here, we have made many new
friends.
Past Reduction of relative clauses That’s the interesting book which is written by J. K.
Rowling. (Passive)
That’s the interesting book written by J. K. Rowling.
Reduction of adverbial clauses Although the building was built years ago, it was still
in good order.
Although built years ago, the building was still in
good order.
7
8. Present and Past Participle
in Adjective Clauses
1. Active
The woman who lives/ is living next door works for a television company.
The woman living next door works for a television company.
2. Passive
Her books, which are read by people all over the world, are immensely popular.
Her books, read by people all over the world, are immensely popular.
8
9. Present Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
1. When two actions by the same subject take place at the same time
2. When one action immediately follows another
3. In place of clauses of time
4. In place of clauses of reason
5. In place of clauses of concession
9
10. Present Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
1. When two actions by the same subject take place at the same time
She held his hand and led him through the crowd.
Holding his hand, she led him through the crowd
She led him through the crowd holding his hand.
10
11. Present Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
2. When one action immediately follows another
I saw her on the other side of the road, and quickly tried to hide.
Seeing her on the other side of the road, I quickly tried to hide.
She turned on the computer and started work.
Turning on the computer, she started work.
He told her not to eat and explained that there was a risk of food poisoning.
He told her not to eat, explaining that there was a risk of food poisoning.
11
12. Present Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
3. In place of clauses of time
After I spoke to you, I felt much better.
After speaking/ having spoken to you, I felt much better.
I felt much better after speaking/ having spoken to you.
When I first met him, I didn’t like him.
I didn’t like him on first meeting him.
12
13. Present Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
4. In place of clauses of reason
As/ Since/ Because I am happy with my results, I decided to celebrate.
Being happy with my results, I decided to celebrate.
He’s lived here all his life, so he knows a lot about the town.
Having lived here all his life, so he knows a lot about the town.
13
14. Present Participle
Adverbial Clauses
5. In place of clauses of concession (with though and while)
While/ Though I fully understand your problem, I can’t allow you to break the rules.
While/ Though fully understanding your problem, I can’t allow you to break the rules.
While/ Though he hated the job, he did it for many years.
While/ Though hating the job, he did it for many years.
14
15. Past Participle
in Adverbial Clauses
1. In place of passive
I often saw her at the disco. She was surrounded by
her admirers.
I often saw her at the disco, surrounded by her
admirers.
If I am accepted for the job, I’ll have to start at the
beginning of next month.
If accepted for the job, I’ll have to start at the
beginning of next month.
The manuscript had been lost for many years when it
suddenly turned up again.
Lost for many years, the manuscript suddenly turned
up again
2. Being + past participle
After the bike was cleaned, it looked as good as new.
After being cleaned, it looked as good as new.
When he was being questioned, he suddenly burst into
tears.
When being questioned, he suddenly burst into tears.
15
16. It Same subject
Perfect
I was lost, so I had to ask someone the way.
Being lost, I had to ask someone the way.
I have been abroad, so I missed the elections.
Having been abroad, I missed the elections.
Different subjects starting with IT It was Sunday, so I couldn’t find a place to park
my car.
It being Sunday, so I couldn’t find a place to
park my car.
After without They often dig up the roads without it being
necessary.
= it isn’t necessary
There Different subjects starting with THERE There was so much noise, I couldn’t hear what
was going on.
There being so much noise, I couldn’t hear
what was going on.
After without She suddenly began shouting without there
being any reason.
= there was no reason
16
17. Compare
1. Whether or not you like it, I plan to resign.
(adverb clause because it describes “under what condition” and can move: “I
plan to resign whether or not you like it”)
2. Whether or not you like it is an important factor in our choice of advertising
slogan.
(noun clause because it is the subject of the sentence and can be replaced by
“something” or “it”)
17
18. 4. Compound-
complex sentences
The compound-complex sentence, then,
consists of two (or more) independent
clauses as well as one (or more)
dependent clauses.
Forms Examples
Simple sentence Anna works in Philadelphia.
Compound
sentence
(two independent
clauses)
Anna works in Philadelphia,
but her husband works in
Denver.
Complex sentence
(Independent clause,
dependent clause)
Anna, who is my neighbor,
works in Philadelphia.
Compound-
complex sentence
Anna, who is my neighbor,
works in Philadelphia, but her
husband works in Denver.
18