Transformation of Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences is a complex process in English Grammar. But the transformation of sentences can be made easy with the help of some rules, tips, and tricks. To avoid mistakes in the Transformation of Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences, the following rules, and examples will be helpful.
Transformation of sentences stands for the set of processes of changing a sentence from one form to another keeping the meaning similar. Explore and get ideas of the Transformation of sentences of Simple, Complex, and Compound that has been shown below with proper rules and ample examples.
There are different types of transformation of sentences in English Grammar and sometimes we need to transform sentences from one form to another grammatical form for better presentation. One such instance is –
Simple: I know his name.
Complex: I know what his name is.
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Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences
For the Transformation of Simple, Complex, and Compound Sentences, we need to know about simple sentences, complex sentences, and compound sentences which are discussed below with images and examples.
What is a Simple Sentence?
Simple Sentence: A simple sentence is one that contains only one Subject and one finite Verb.
Example: Utterly exhausted they fainted on the ground.
One Subject: they
One Finite Verb: fainted
What is a Complex Sentence?
Complex Sentence: A complex sentence is one that contains one Principal Clause with one or more Sub-ordinate Clause.
Example: I did not know that he would visit us here when the school was closed.
Principal Clause: I did not know
Sub-ordinate Clause(i): that he would visit us here.
Sub-ordinate Clause(ii): when the school was closed.
(i) that he would visit us here (Sub-ordinate noun clause, object to the verb, know, in the Principal Clause). (ii) when the school was closed (Sub-ordinate Adverbial Clause qualifying the Verb would visit in the subordinate clause, that he would visit us here)
What is a Compound sentence?
Compound Sentence: A compound sentence is one that contains two or more Principal or Main or Independent Co-ordinate Clauses joined together by connectives (and, but, or, then, therefore, else, however).
Example: They reached the station but missed the train.
Principal or Main or Independent Co-ordinate Clause (i): They reached the station.
Connective: But
Principal or Main or Independent Co-ordinate Clause (ii): They missed the train.
When two clauses of the same rank are joined together with connectives is called Co-ordinate Clause. Co-ordinate Clauses may be either Principal Clauses or Sub-ordinate Clauses.
Transformation of Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences.
Rules: A Simple Sentence can be transformed or converted to a Complex Sentence by expanding a word or phrase into a Sub-ordinate Clause. The Sub-ordinate Clause may be:
(a) A Noun Clause
(b) An Adjective Clause
(c) An Adverb Clause
Noun Clause
Rules: Transformation of Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences can be done by expanding a word or phrase into a Sub-ordinate Noun Clause.
Simple: I don’t know him.
Complex: I don’t know who he is.
Simple: He confessed his guilt.
Complex: He confessed that he was guilty.
Simple: He hopes to win the prize.
Complex: He hopes that he will win the prize.
Simple: I know his name.
Complex: I know what his name is.
Simple: He will certainly come today.
Complex: It is certain that he will come today.
Simple: He is sure of passing the examination.
Complex: He is sure that he will pass the examination.
An Adjective Clause
Rules: Transformation of sentences from Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences can be done by expanding a word or phrase into a Sub-ordinate Adjective Clause/Relative Clause.
Simple: This is my pen.
Complex: This is the pen that belongs to me.
Simple: An idle man cannot prosper.
Complex: A man who is idle cannot prosper.
Simple: This is my birthplace.
Complex: This is the place where I was born.
Simple: He was the first man to go there.
Complex: He was the first man who went there.
Simple: I saw a wounded bird.
Complex: I saw a bird that was wounded.
An Adverb Clause
Rules: Transformation of Simple Sentences into Complex Sentences can be done by expanding a word or phrase into a Sub-ordinate Adverbial Clause.
Simple: With sunrise, the fog dispersed.
Complex: When the sun rose, the fog dispersed.
Simple: I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff.
Complex: I am so old a bird that I cannot be caught with chaff.
Simple: Immediately after the arrival of the police the crowd left the place
Complex: As soon as the police arrived, the crowd left the place.
Simple: But without your help, he would have failed.
Complex: If you had not helped him, he would have failed.
Simple: He reads hard to pass the examination.
Complex: He reads hard that (so that) he may pass the examination.
Simple: In spite of his riches, he is not happy.
Complex: Though he is rich, he is not happy.
Simple: She came to my house during my absence.
Complex: She came to my house when I was absent.
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Transformation of Simple Sentences into Compound Sentences
Rules: A Simple Sentence can be converted into a Compound Sentence by expanding a word or a phrase into Co-ordinate Clause.
Co-ordinate clauses are clauses of the same rank that are joined together with connectives like and, but, or, then, therefore, else, however, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but also, both…and, Nevertheless, for, consequently, so, still, only, etc.
Simple: He is both tall and strong.
Compound: He is not only tall but also strong.
Simple: He ran away to escape arrest.
Compound: He ran away and thus escaped arrest.
Simple: You must work hard to succeed.
Compound: You must work hard, or you will fail.
Simple: He could not come on account of illness.
Compound: He was ill, so he could not come.
Simple: In spite of his poverty he is honest.
Compound: He is poor but he is honest.
Simple: I punished the boy for his insolence.
Compound: The boy was insolent, and so I punished him.
Simple: Besides being a teacher he is a social worker.
Compound: He is a teacher and a social worker.
Transformation of sentences of Complex Sentences into Simple Sentences
Rules: A Complex Sentence can be transformed into a Simple Sentence by Contracting / shortening a Sub-ordinate Clause into a word or a phrase.
Noun Clause
Rules: Transformation of Complex Sentences into Simple sentences can be done by Contracting/shortening a Subordinate Noun Clause into a word or a phrase.
Complex: I know what his intention is
Simple: I know his intention.
Complex: We believe what he says.
Simple: We believe his word (or, him).
Complex: He wants that I should go.
Simple: He wants me to go.
Complex: That he is honest is known to all.
Simple: His honesty is known to all.
Complex: I know where he was born.
Simple: I know his birth-place (or, the place of his birth).
Complex: It seemed impossible that he could escape.
Simple: It seemed impossible for him to escape.
Or His escape seemed impossible.
Complex: Tell me where he lives.
Simple: Tell me his address.
Complex: I admit that he is a great poet.
Simple: I admit his greatness as a poet.
Or, I admit him to be a great poet.
Complex: The truth is he was absent,
Simple: To tell the truth, he was absent.
Adjective Clause
Rules: Transformation of Complex Sentences into Simple sentences can be done by Contracting/shortening a Subordinate Adjective Clause into a word or a phrase.
Complex: He was the last man who went there.
Simple: He was the last man to go there.
Complex: They soon forgot the labours they had endured.
Simple: They soon forgot their past labours.
Complex: Only those boys who will work hard will succeed.
Simple: Only hard-working boys will succeed.
Complex: He was guilty of rudeness that could not be tolerated.
Simple: He was guilty of intolerable rudeness.
Adverb Clause
Rules: Transformation of Complex Sentences into Simple sentences can be done by Contracting/shortening a Subordinate Adverbial Clause into a word or a phrase.
Complex: As soon as he went there, he got the news.
Simple: He got the news immediately after going there.
Complex: He is so weak that he cannot walk.
Simple: He is too weak to walk.
Complex: He was glad when he heard this.
Simple: He was glad to hear this.
Complex: As I am ill, I cannot go to school.
Simple: I cannot go to school on account of my illness.
Complex: He left after I had come.
Simple: He left after my arrival.
Complex: Though he is ill, he will come.
Simple: In spite of his illness he will come.
Complex: You may talk as much as you like.
Simple: You may talk to your heart’s content.
Complex: He will not go unless he is compelled.
Simple: He will go only under compulsion.
Transformation of Sentences of Complex Sentences into Compound Sentences
Rules: Transformation of Complex Sentences into Compound Sentences can be made by –
- The principal Clause should generally be placed last and
- Subordinate Cause Should be placed first.
Complex: Though she is intelligent, she is not industrious.
Compound: She is intelligent but not industrious.
Complex: We can easily prove that the earth is round.
Compound: The earth is round and we can easily prove it.
Complex: I’m glad that you have stood first in the examination.
Compound: You have stood first in the examination and I’m glad of it.
Complex: He worked hard so that he might win the prize.
Compound: He wanted to win the prize and so he worked hard.
Complex: I have found the pen that I lost.
Compound: I lost the pen, but have found it.
Complex: When the sun set, we returned home.
Compound: The sun set and we returned home.
Complex: As soon as the boy saw his teacher, he ran away.
Compound: The boy saw his teacher and at once ran away.
Complex: Though he saw the danger, he went on.
Compound: He saw the danger, but went on.
Transformation of Compound Sentences into Simple Sentences
Rules: Transformation of Compound Sentences into Simple Sentences can be done by retaining one of the clauses and substituting a Gerund, a Participle, an Infinitive, or a phrase for each of the other Clauses.
Compound: We must eat or we cannot live.
Simple: We must eat to live.
Compound: He tried hard, but he didn’t succeed.
Simple: In spite of his trying hard he didn’t succeed.
Compound: He wanted to avoid punishment and so he ran away.
Simple: He ran away to avoid punishment.
Compound: He not only made a promise but kept it.
Simple: Besides making a promise he kept it.
Compound: The sun shone out, and the bats all flew away to their hiding places.
Simple: The sun having shone out, the bats all flew away to their hiding places.
Transformation of Compound Sentences into Complex Sentences
Rules: In transforming Compound sentences into Complex sentences, the Second Clause should be made the Principal Clause and the First should be Subordinate.
Compound: Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Complex: If you spare the rod, you will spoil the child.
Compound: Cross the line and you will be arrested.
Complex: If you cross the line, you will be arrested.
Compound: Do or die.
Complex: If you don’t do it, you will die.
Compound: Do and die.
Complex: If you do, you will die.
Compound: Waste not, want not.
Complex: If you don’t waste (or Unless you waste), you will not want.
Compound: He is rich, but he is not happy.
Complex: Though he is rich, he is not happy.
Compound: He was very tired, and therefore he fell asleep.
Complex: As he was very tired, he fell asleep.
Compound: The teacher entered the room and the boys stopped talking.
Complex: When the teacher entered the room, the boys stopped talking.
Exercises
1. Transform the following Simple Sentences into Complex ones.
(a) He pleaded for his innocence.
(b) I know her name.
(c) I am sure of her success in the examination.
(d) I prayed for his recovery.
(e) They admitted their guilt.
(f) He is a meritorious boy.
(g) I lost this pen yesterday.
(h) I still remember the advice of my departed father.
(i) He is the last man to utter such a word.
(j) I want a car to drive.
(k) Being rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor.
(l) He is too weak to move out of doors,
(m) He is working day and night to finish the book.
(n) We went to the station by taxi to avoid missing the train.
(o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall without a ticket.
(p) In spite of being old he carried a load of two baskets,
(q) She danced like an expert dancer.
(r) Your learning increases in proportion to your reading.
2. Transform the following Simple Sentences into Compound ones.
(a) Going to the garden Tukai saw a red rose,
(b) Besides giving us advice, he helped us with money,
(c) To add to his misfortune his father died.
(d) Ram was present. Shyam was present.
(e) Rinku likes tea, Tinku likes tea,
(f) He kept his promise.
(g) In spite of being old he was young at heart.
(h) Notwithstanding her pitfalls I love her.
(i) He had all the qualifications for the post except honesty.
(j) In spite of my annoyance, I kept quiet.
(k) I would come to be engaged.
(l) He is weak, He works hard.
(m) You must avoid fat to lose weight
(n) He would have been insulted but for your timely intervention.
(o) Take another chance to avoid the peril of your life.
(p) He is mad Or he feigns madness.
(q) Don’t be a borrower, Don’t be a lender.
(r) His work being unsatisfactory he was dismissed.
(s) He gained prominence by virtue of his sincerity.
(t) Walking all day long he came back home.
3. Transform the following Complex Sentences into Simple ones.
(a) He pleaded that he was innocent.
(b) I know what her name is.
(c) I am sure that she will succeed in the examination.
(d) I prayed that he might recover.
(e) They admitted that they were guilty.
(f) He is a boy who has merit.
(g) This is the pen which I lost yesterday.
(h) I still remember the advice which was given by my departed father,
(i) He is the last man who can utter such a word.
(j) I want a car that I can drive.
(k) As he is rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor
(l) He is so weak that he cannot move out of doors,
(m) He is working day and night so that he may finish the book,
(n) We went to the station by taxi lest we should miss the train.
(o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall unless he has a ticker.
(p) Though he was old, he carried a load of two baskets,
(q) She danced as if she were an expert dancer.
(r) The more you read, the more you learn.
4. Transform the following Complex Sentences into Compound ones.
(a) Though he is poor, he is honest.
(b) If you, do it, you will be punished.
(c) If you do not do it, you will be punished.
(d) I am sure that you are wrong.
(e) As he was ill, he could not go.
(f) Unless you do it, I shall fine you.
(g) If you do not work hard, you will fail.
(h) He could not come because he was ill.
(i) He kept the promise he had made.
(j) I offended him because I did this.
(k) If he does not return the goods, he must pay the bill.
(l) He came home in order that he might see you.
5. Transform the following Compound Sentences into Simple one.
(a) Tukai went to the garden and saw a red rose,
(b) He gave us not only advice but also money,
(c) His father died and this added to his misfortune
(d) Ram as well as Shyam were present
(e) Both Rinku and Tinku like tea.
(f) He not only made a promise but (but also) kept it.
(g) He was old but he was young at heart,
(h) She has her pitfalls, yet I love her.
(i) He had all the qualifications for the post, but he was not honest.
(j) I was annoyed, but still, I kept quiet.
(k) I would come; only that I am engaged
(l) He is weak; nevertheless, he works hard.
(m) You must avoid fat, or you will not lose weight
(n) You had intervened timely, otherwise, he would have been insulted.
(o) Take another chance, or else your life will be in peril.
(p) Either he is mad, or he feigns madness.
(q) Neither a borrower nor a lender is.
(r) His work was unsatisfactory; therefore, he was dismissed.
(s) He was sincere, and so he gained prominence.
(t) He came back home; for he had walked all day long.
6. Transform the following Compound Sentences into Complex ones.
(a) He is poor but he is honest.
(b) Do it and you will be punished.
(c) Do it or you will be punished.
(d) You are wrong and of this I am sure.
(e) He was ill and therefore he could not go.
(f) Do it or I shall fine you.
(g) Work hard or you will fail.
(h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come.
(i) He not only made a promise but also kept it.
(j) I did this and so offended him.
(k) He must return the goods or pay the bill.
(l) He wanted to see you, and so he came home.
Answers
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 1
1. (a) He pleaded that he was innocent. (b) I know what her name is. (c) I am sure that she will succeed in the examination. (d) I prayed that he might recover. (e) They admitted that they were guilty. (f) He is a boy who has merit. (g) This is the pen which I lost yesterday. (h) I still remember the advice which was given by my departed father, (i) He is the last man who can utter such a word. (j) I want a car that I can drive.
(k) As he is rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor (l) He is so weak that he cannot move out of doors, (m) He is working day and night so that he may finish the book, (n) We went to the station by taxi lest we should miss the train. (o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall unless he has a ticker. (p) Though he was old, he carried a load of two baskets, (q) She danced as if she were an expert dancer. (r) The more you read, the more you learn.
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 2
(a) Tukai went to the garden and saw a red rose, (b) He gave us not only advice but also money, (c) His father died and this added to his misfortune (d) Ram, as well as Shyam, was present (e) Both Rinku and Tinku like tea. (f) He not only made a promise but (but also) kept it. (g) He was old but he was young at heart, (h) She has her pitfalls, yet I love her. (i) He had all the qualifications for the post, but he was not honest.
(j) I was annoyed, but still, I kept quiet. (k) I would come; only that I am engaged (l) He is weak; nevertheless, he works hard. (m) You must avoid fat, or you will not lose weight (n) You had intervened timely, otherwise he would have been insulted. (o) Take another chance, or else your life will be in peril. (p) Either he is mad, or he feigns madness. (q) Neither a borrower nor a lender is. (r) His work was unsatisfactory; therefore, he was dismissed. (s) He was sincere, and so he gained prominence. (t) He came back home; for he had walked all day long.
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 3
(a) He pleaded for his innocence. (b) I know her name. (c) I am sure of her success in the examination. (d) I prayed for his recovery. (e) They admitted their guilt. (f) He is a meritorious boy. (g) I lost this pen yesterday.. (h) I still remember the advice of my departed father. (i) He is the last man to utter such a word.
(j) I want a car to drive. (k) Being rich he cannot understand the suffering of the poor. (l) He is too weak to move out of doors, (m) He is working day and night to finish the book. (n) We went to the station by taxi to avoid missing the train. (o) Nobody will be allowed to enter the hall without a ticket. (p) In spite of being old he carried a load of two baskets, (q) She danced like an expert dancer. (r) Your learning increases in proportion to your reading.
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 4
(a) He is poor but he is honest. (b) Do it and you will be punished. (c) Do it or you will be punished. (d) You are wrong and of this I am sure. (e) He was ill and therefore he could not go. (f) Do it or I shall fine you. (g) Work hard or you will fail. (h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come. (i) He not only made a promise but also kept it. (j) I did this and so offended him. (k) He must return the goods or pay the bill. (l) He wanted to see you, and so he came home.
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 5
(a) He is poor but he is honest. (b) Do it and you will be punished. (c) Do it or you will be punished. (d) You are wrong and of this I am sure. (e) He was ill and therefore he could not go. (f) Do it or I shall fine you. (g) Work hard or you will fail. (h) He was ill; therefore, he could not come. (i) He not only made a promise but also kept it. (j) I did this and so offended him. (k) He must return the goods or pay the bill. (l) He wanted to see you, and so he came home.
The answer to Transformation of Sentences of Exercise 6
(a) Though he is poor, he is honest. (b) If you, do it, you will be punished. (c) If you do not do it, you will be punished. (d) I am sure that you are wrong. (e) As he was ill, he could not go. (f) Unless you do it, I shall fine you. (g) If you do not work hard, you will fail. (h) He could not come because he was ill. (i) He kept the promise he had made. (j) I offended him because I did this. (k) If he does not return the goods, he must pay the bill. (l) He came home in order that he might see you.
