Complex Sentences

Complex Sentences :



A Complex Sentence consists of a Main or Principal Clause (i.e., the Clause containing the main Verb of the Sentence) and one or more Dependent or Subordinate Clauses.

For example, take the sentence :

We all know that God helps those who help themselves.

This sentence consists of three Clauses.

(i) We all know (Main Clause).
(ii) that God helps those (Subordinate Noun Clause).
(iii) who help themselves. (Subordinate Adjective Clause).

The Clause (We all know) makes good sense by itself and can stand alone. It is therefore called the Main or Principal Clause.

The Clause (that God helps those) does not make good sense by itself and therefore cannot stand alone. It depends for its full meaning on the Clause - We all know. Such a Clause is called a Dependent or Subordinate Clause.

Again, the Clause (who help themselves) is connected with the Pronoun THOSE which it qualifies as an Adjective would do. It also cannot stand alone. It also is a Subordinate Clause.

Few more sample sentences :

(i) After their parents died, they shifted their family to Chennai.

(ii) Although today is a holiday, we open our store today.

(iii) When it is raining, my sister gets drenched.

(iv) When the train is fast coming towards us, we crossed the track quickly.

(v) The Chairman chose only those people who would help him make good decisions.

(vi) Whoever comes last has to close the doors and windows.

(vii) Whatever happens today, we have to begin the match today.

(viii) Since the fees for this course of study is costly, we dropped out.

Thus the sentence is a Complex Sentence consisting of one Main Clause and two Subordinate Clauses.

Samples Sentences of all types :

(i) Many are called, but few are chosen.

(ii) Man proposes, but God disposes.

(iii) When I heard the news I ran to console the poor woman who had lost her only child.

(iv) A widow is one whose husband is dead.

(v) They also serve who only stand and wait.

(vi) You will get what you want if you patiently wait and watch.

(vii) The people who live here are simple and hard-working.

(viii) Work while you work; play while you play.

(ix) He prayeth best who loveth best all things, both great and small.

(x) Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

(xi) Although Denise had some doubts, she found the courses very useful.

RELATED PAGES :

1. A Sentence - 1
   
2. A Sentence - 2
   
3. A Sentence - 3
   
4. The Structure of Sentences
   
5. Kinds of Sentences
   
6. A Clause and A Phrase
   
7. The Noun Clause
   
8. The Adjective Clause
   
9. The Adverb Clause
   
10. Adverb Clauses
    
11. Adjective Clauses
    
12. Noun Clauses
    
13. Three Kinds of Clauses
    
14. Sample Sentences with Clauses
    
15. Simple Sentences ( Simple Sentence )
    
16. Double Sentences
    
17. Multiple Sentences
    
18. Complex Sentences
    
19. Attributive Adjuncts
    
20. The Predicate
    
21. Adverbial Adjuncts to Verb of Predicate
    
22. Analysis of Sentences
    
23. Contracted Sentences
    
24. Analysis of Double Sentences
    
25. Analysis of Multiple Sentences
    
26. Rules for Analysing Double Sentences
    
27. Rules for Analysing Multiple Sentences
    
28. Analysis of Complex Sentences
    
29. The Complex Sentences
    
30. Analysis of Multiple Sentence
    
31. The Transformation of Sentences
    
32. Modes of Expressing A Condition in English Grammar
    
33. Modes of Expressing A Concessional Clause
    
34. Modes of Expressing A Contrasting Clause
    
35. Interchange of Degrees of Comparison
    
36. Synthesis of Sentences - 1
    
37. Synthesis of Sentences - 2
    
38. Synthesis of Sentences - 3
    
39. The Principal Clause
    
40. The Dependent Clause
    
41. Verb in The Dependent Clause
    
42. Direct Speech and Indirect Speech
    
43. Kinds of Sentences
    
44. Direct and Indirect Speech
    
45. A Sentence without E
    
46. Parsed Sentence
    

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