Compound to Complex

#### **1. Compound Sentence:**

A **compound sentence** consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet*) or a semicolon. Each clause in a compound sentence can stand alone as a complete sentence.

**Example:**

• - I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
• - She loves to read books; her brother prefers watching movies.

#### **2. Complex Sentence:**

A **complex sentence** consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone and is usually introduced by a subordinating conjunction (e.g., *because, although, since, while, if, unless*).

**Example:**

• - Although he was tired, he continued working.
• - She stayed home because she was feeling sick.

### **Definitions from Other Sources:**

**Oxford Dictionary of English Grammar:**

• Compound Sentence: A sentence that consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or punctuation.
• Complex Sentence: A sentence that contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

**Merriam-Webster Dictionary:**

• Compound Sentence: A sentence formed by joining two simple sentences with a conjunction or a semicolon.
• Complex Sentence: A sentence having an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Transforming a **compound sentence** into a **complex sentence** involves replacing coordinating conjunctions (like *and*, *but*, *or*) with subordinating conjunctions (like *because*, *although*, *since*, *if*, *while*, etc.). This change shifts the sentence structure from two independent clauses (compound) to one independent clause and one dependent clause (complex).

### Key Steps:

• 1. **Identify the independent clauses** in the compound sentence.
• 2. **Choose a subordinating conjunction** that logically connects the clauses.
• 3. **Rewrite the sentence** so one clause becomes dependent on the other.

--- ### Examples of Transformation: #### 1. Compound Sentence: - **I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.** #### Complex Sentence: - **Although I wanted to go for a walk, it started raining.** - *Subordinating conjunction*: **Although** --- #### 2. Compound Sentence: - **She studied hard, and she passed the exam.** #### Complex Sentence: - **Because she studied hard, she passed the exam.** - *Subordinating conjunction*: **Because** --- #### 3. Compound Sentence: - **He was tired, so he went to bed early.** #### Complex Sentence: - **Since he was tired, he went to bed early.** - *Subordinating conjunction*: **Since** --- #### 4. Compound Sentence: - **You can stay here, or you can leave.** #### Complex Sentence: - **If you want, you can stay here, or you can leave.** - *Subordinating conjunction*: **If** --- ### Common Subordinating Conjunctions:

• - **Cause/Effect**: because, since, as
• - **Contrast**: although, though, even though
• - **Condition**: if, unless, provided that
• - **Time**: when, while, after, before, until
• - **Purpose**: so that, in order that

### Key Takeaway: By using subordinating conjunctions, you can create complex sentences that show a clearer relationship between ideas, adding depth and variety to your writing.

Converting compound sentences to complex sentences involves changing the structure from two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) to a sentence with one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, often introduced by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., because, although, since, if). Here's how to do it:

---

### Steps to Convert Compound to Complex Sentences:

• 1. **Identify the independent clauses** in the compound sentence.
• 2. **Choose a subordinating conjunction** that shows the relationship between the clauses (e.g., cause, condition, contrast, time).
• 3. **Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause** by adding the subordinating conjunction.
• 4. **Rearrange the sentence** to ensure clarity and proper grammar.

### Examples of Conversion:

1. Compound Sentence:

• - **Example:** She finished her homework, and she went to bed.
• - **Conversion:** After she finished her homework, she went to bed.

- Here, "and" is replaced with "after," and the first clause becomes dependent.

2. Compound Sentence:

• - **Example:** He wanted to go to the party, but he was too tired.
• - **Conversion:** Although he wanted to go to the party, he was too tired.

- "But" is replaced with "although," and the first clause becomes dependent.

3. Compound Sentence:

• - **Example:** It started raining, so we stayed indoors.
• - **Conversion:** Since it started raining, we stayed indoors.

- "So" is replaced with "since," and the first clause becomes dependent.

4. Compound Sentence:

• - **Example:** You can take the bus, or you can walk to the station.
• - **Conversion:** If you don’t want to take the bus, you can walk to the station.

- "Or" is replaced with "if," and the first clause becomes dependent.

Key Points to Remember:

• - **Subordinating conjunctions** (e.g., because, although, since, if, when, while) are used to introduce dependent clauses.
• - The **dependent clause** cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
• - The **independent clause** remains the main part of the sentence and can stand alone.

Practice Exercises:

Convert the following compound sentences into complex sentences:

• 1. She studied hard, and she passed the exam.
• 2. He was late, so he missed the train.
• 3. I wanted to buy the dress, but it was too expensive.
• 4. You can save money, or you can spend it all.

When transforming a **compound sentence** into a **complex sentence**, understanding punctuation rules is crucial. A **compound sentence** consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or*). A **complex sentence**, on the other hand, contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, often introduced by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., *because, although, since*).

#### Key Punctuation Rules for Complex Sentences:

1. **Subordinating Conjunctions**:

- When a dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., *because, although, if, when*), it is often separated from the independent clause by a comma if it comes **before** the independent clause.

- Example:

• - Compound: *I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.*
• - Complex: *Because it started raining, I decided not to go for a walk.*

(Here, the dependent clause *Because it started raining* is followed by a comma.)

2. **No Comma for Postposition**:

- If the dependent clause comes **after** the independent clause, a comma is usually **not** needed.

- Example:

• - Compound: *She studied hard, and she passed the exam.*
• - Complex: *She passed the exam because she studied hard.*

(Here, the dependent clause *because she studied hard* does not require a comma.)

3. **Relative Clauses**:

- When a dependent clause is introduced by a relative pronoun (e.g., *who, which, that*), punctuation depends on whether the clause is **restrictive** (essential) or **non-restrictive** (non-essential).

- **Restrictive Clause**: No commas are used because the clause is essential to the meaning of the sentence.

- Example:

• - Compound: *I have a friend, and she loves painting.*
• - Complex: *I have a friend who loves painting.*

Non-Restrictive Clause**: Commas are used because the clause adds extra, non-essential information.

- Example:

• - Compound: *My friend, who lives in Paris, loves painting.*
• - Complex: *My friend, who loves painting, lives in Paris.*

4. **Punctuation with Multiple Clauses**:

- In sentences with multiple dependent clauses, use commas to separate them if they are non-essential or if they appear before the independent clause.

- Example:

- Compound: *I went to the store, and I bought apples, but I forgot the milk.*

- Complex: *Although I went to the store and bought apples, I forgot the milk.*

(Here, the dependent clause *Although I went to the store and bought apples* is followed by a comma.)

#### Summary:

• - Use a comma after a dependent clause if it **precedes** the independent clause.
• - Do **not** use a comma if the dependent clause **follows** the independent clause.
• - For relative clauses, use commas only for **non-restrictive** clauses.

Converting compound sentences to complex sentences involves changing the structure from two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or) to one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses (introduced by subordinating conjunctions like because, although, since, etc.). Here are some examples:

• Compound: She finished her homework, and she went to bed.
• Complex: After she finished her homework, she went to bed.
• Compound: He wanted to go to the party, but he was too tired.
• Complex: Although he wanted to go to the party, he was too tired.
• Compound: I studied hard, so I passed the exam.
• Complex: Because I studied hard, I passed the exam.
• Compound: The weather was bad, but we decided to go hiking.
• Complex: Even though the weather was bad, we decided to go hiking.
• Compound: She loves reading books, and she spends hours in the library.
• Complex: Since she loves reading books, she spends hours in the library.
• Compound: He missed the bus, so he was late for work.
• Complex: Because he missed the bus, he was late for work.
• Compound: The movie was interesting, but it was too long.
• Complex: Although the movie was interesting, it was too long.
• Compound: I will call you, or I will send you a message.
• Complex: If I don’t call you, I will send you a message.
• Compound: She was tired, yet she continued working.
• Complex: Even though she was tired, she continued working.
• Compound: He didn’t study, so he failed the test.
• Complex: Since he didn’t study, he failed the test.

Transforming a **compound sentence** into a **complex sentence** involves changing the structure while retaining the meaning. Here are the key points to remember:

1. **Understand the Structures**:

• - **Compound Sentence**: Contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (e.g., *and, but, or*).
• - **Complex Sentence**: Contains one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, connected by subordinating conjunctions (e.g., *because, although, since*).

2. **Identify the Relationship**:

• - Determine the relationship between the clauses in the compound sentence (e.g., cause-effect, contrast, time).
• - Choose an appropriate subordinating conjunction to reflect this relationship.

3. **Convert Independent to Dependent Clause**:

• - Turn one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction.
• - Ensure the dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

4. **Maintain Meaning**:

• - Ensure the transformed sentence conveys the same idea as the original.

5. **Punctuation**:

• - Use a comma after the dependent clause if it comes before the independent clause.
• - No comma is needed if the dependent clause follows the independent clause.

---

### Example:

• Compound: She studied hard, and she passed the exam.
• Complex: Because she studied hard, she passed the exam.

Transforming compound sentences into complex sentences is a useful exercise to improve your understanding of sentence structures. Below are some practice exercises to help you master this skill.

Exercise 1: Transform the following compound sentences into complex sentences.

• 1. She finished her homework, and she went out to play.
• 2. He was tired, but he continued working.
• 3. I wanted to go to the party, but I had to study.
• 4. The weather was bad, so we stayed indoors.
• 5. She is intelligent, and she is hardworking.

Exercise 2: Rewrite the following compound sentences as complex sentences.

• 1. He missed the bus, so he was late for work.
• 2. She loves reading books, and she spends hours in the library.
• 3. The movie was interesting, but it was too long.
• 4. He practiced every day, and he became a great pianist.
• 5. They went to the beach, and they had a picnic.

Exercise 3: Convert the compound sentences into complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions (e.g

because, although, since, if, when, etc.).**

• 1. It started raining, so we canceled the picnic.
• 2. She was hungry, so she ate a sandwich.
• 3. He studied hard, and he passed the exam.
• 4. The dog barked loudly, and the thief ran away.
• 5. I will call you, or I will send a message.

Exercise 4: Rewrite the sentences by changing the structure from compound to complex.

• 1. The teacher explained the lesson, and the students understood it.
• 2. He was late, but he managed to catch the train.
• 3. She bought a new dress, and she wore it to the party.
• 4. The sun set, and the sky turned orange.
• 5. He was angry, so he left the room.