Complex sentences with when. Compound sentences in English
English sentences can be classified not only by the purpose of the statement (declarative, interrogative, exclamatory), but also by the method of formation. The classification of sentences by structure (Structural classification of sentences in English) provides for the division of English sentences into two large groups - simple and complex sentences, i.e., by analogy with the Russian language. But it has its own characteristics and specific points, so such a classification should be considered in more detail.
Simple sentences
Simple sentences in English have quite simple circuit education. They are called so because the structure of this construction implies the presence of only one grammatical basis with the main members of the sentence: subject (subject) and predicate (predicate).
Those sentences in which there are secondary members are called extended sentences. Minor members- this is an addition (object), a definition (attribute) and a circumstance (adverbial modifier). And the structures, where only the main members of the sentence form the basis of the sentence, are called unextended sentences. Here are examples with a translation of how simple common and uncommon offers:
The tree is high - The tree is high (unextended sentence)
An old tree near our house is high - The old tree near our house is old (extended sentence)
Besides, simple sentences may include only one sentence member. This construction is called one member sentence, it can also be common or non-common and looks like in the following way:
midnight. Silence. Sadness - Midnight. Silence. Sadness (unextended)
The sun, this lovely sun! The sun is a beautiful sun! (extended)
Features and classification of complex sentences
Complex sentences in English, of course, they are called such for a reason. The main difference between these structures is that there are not one, but two or more grammatical bases. At the same time, the grammar provides for division complex structures into two large types: these can be complex and complex sentences, and both varieties have their own specific features.
Compound sentences
In a compound sentence in English, two or more parts are equivalent, that is, one part does not depend on the other and can be used separately, carrying a separate thought. This type of compound sentence is called, and the type of connection within such a phrase is called a composition.
Usually, parts of a compound sentence connect conjunctions (most often it is and, or and but):
He greeted me and we went home together - He greeted me and we went home together
I'll try to help you but I'll need your help - I'll try to help you, but I need your help
Note: the grammar provides for a distinctive punctuation from Russian in an English compound sentence. Here, as a rule, a comma does not appear, this is permissible only in cases where the punctuation mark is put by the author in order to make an expressive pause, but usually there is no comma:
She did no mistakes and I was happy - She did not make a single mistake, and I was happy
Features of a complex sentence
Complex sentences in English differ from compound sentences in that two or more parts included in their construction are not equal, even if each of them has its own grammatical basis, and the part that depends on the main one is called the subordinate clause.
Complex sentences, as complex sentences are called, look like this:
He told his mother that he had already visited grandparents - He told his mother that he had already visited his grandparents
She didn’t know what was John had seen during his journey - She didn’t know what John had seen during his journey
As you can see from the examples, there are also conjunctions here, and often these are that, what, before, etc. The principle of punctuation for complex sentences in English is the same as for compound sentences, that is, analogies with the Russian language should not be drawn here.
Relative clauses in Complex sentences
Subordinate clauses in English are included in the structure of complex sentences and perform the functions of different members of the sentence, and the classification here is quite voluminous. Next, the types of subordinate clauses will be described.
Clauses subject
Such parts in sentences play the role of the subject, which can be determined by asking the question who? or what?:
It is great that Fred is going to come - It's great that Fred is going to come
It is still unknown who will be our new teacher - It is still unknown who will be our new teacher
Adverbial predicates
The subordinate clause, which performs the function of a predicate, usually describes the property of the subject and replaces the predicate itself:
He is not who he was last time - He is not the same as in last time
The problem is whether he would like to join us - The problem is whether he wants to join us
Clauses
Determinants subordinate clauses just like the definition as a member of the sentence, answer the questions what? which? what kind?:
I saw the book which I had bought a few years before - I saw a book that I bought a few years before
He is the man whom I trust all my secrets - He is the man whom I trust all my secrets
Adventitious additions
Complex sentences can include clauses that answer typical questions about what? what? A popular union here is that, which often disappears in colloquial English, but still remains in translation:
He will tell you what you want to know - He will tell you what you want to know
I have just found out (that) he was a politician - I just found out that he was a politician
Adverbial circumstances
A complex sentence with subordinate parts of the circumstance differs in that there are several varieties that differ in meaning just like the circumstances themselves and stand with the same questions that are used with certain circumstances. It:
1. Adnexal places.
Questions here - where? where?:
This is the house where I would like to live for all my life - This is the house where I would like to live all my life
2. Time clauses.
Connect with the main part through the questions when? how long? since when?:
You should always check your timetable before you go home - You should always check your timetable before you go home
3. Adventitious modes of action.
Typical questions here - how? how?:
You should try to do this task as if you were a professional - You should try to do this task as if you were a professional
4. Additional consequences.
The essence of the connection with the main part lies in the consequence that follows from the main idea of the main part:
There weather was so great that we couldn't stay at home - The weather was so great that we couldn't stay at home
5. Additional causes.
The main question relevant here is why?:
She is a perfect cook because her mother used to teach her - She is an excellent cook because her mother used to teach her
6. Adventitious goals.
These parts express the purpose of the action that was presented in the main part and answer the questions for what purpose? why?:
He came to me in order to congratulate me - He came to me to congratulate me
7. Adventitious concessions.
These parts of the Complex sentences indicate the fact, regardless and in spite of which the action is nevertheless performed:
She invited me to dinner though she was too tired to cook anything - She invited me to dinner, although she was too tired to cook anything
8. Subordinate condition.
Constructions with such parts are also called , which are often used with if, a union that introduces a condition. The relative clauses of time and conditions are often considered together, since similar grammatical norms for the use of tenses apply here. They look like this:
They will complete the task if you explain everything one more time - They will complete the task if you explain everything again
When father comes, we will go the Zoo altogether - When dad comes, we will all go to the zoo together
Thus, despite the fact that the types of subordinate clauses in English are quite diverse, they do not carry much complexity and are used without any specific rules (the only exception, perhaps, is conditional sentences). Therefore, knowing how simple and complex sentences are formed, as well as being guided by such a classification, it will be much easier to work with them.
Compound sentences in English are sentences that consist of two or more parts, separate sentences that are dependent on each other. At the same time, there is one main sentence that contains the main idea, it is called the main, or Principal Clause, and subordinate clauses (Subordinate Clauses) will depend on it: all complex sentences in English consist of at least two parts. Consider the basic rules for creating complex sentences, as well as learn the conjunctions of paramount importance that are used in Complex Sentences.
Complex sentences (Complex Sentences) consist of unequal parts, that is, as we have already indicated, one part depends on the other. It follows that one sentence explains the other. To distinguish complex sentences from compound ones, one can be guided by the presence in the sentence of peculiar identifiers, which are unions (compound sentences have their own characteristic unions). The main subordinating conjunctions used in Complex Sentences are:
- that,
- after,
- because,
- where,
- when,
- whose
But! Complex sentences can be without unions! But more on that later.
Let's look at examples of how complex sentences with conjunctions will look like:
| That | I feel that they will come earlier to search what they have lost in these places | I feel that they will return later to look for what they have lost in these places. |
| After | After they came back from Italy, they feel happy | They feel happy upon their return from Italy ( or After they returned from Italy, they feel happy) |
| If | If I had a thousand of flowers, I would be really very happy! | If I had thousands of flowers, I would be really very happy! |
| Who | They don't like those who think they are always right | They don't like those who think they're always right |
| Because | because she met her boyfriend | She didn't come back to us last night because she met her boyfriend. |
| Where | That is the place where we used to play 5 years ago | This is where we used to play 5 years ago |
| When | The day when I saw my new friend was a real high day for me | The day I saw my new friend was a real holiday for me |
| Whose | My teacher whose suggestions I always listen to, recommends to visit that courses. | My teacher, whose reasoning I trust, recommends that I attend those courses. |
But! This is not the whole list of possible connecting words used in complex sentences. Remember the following unions:
- therefore,
- since,
- while,
- before,
- after,
- unless,
- though,
- although
Note! In English sentences, there is no need to put a comma before the subordinate clause. For example, the sentence She didn't return to us last night because she met her boyfriend can be either without a comma or with it => She didn't return to us last night, because she met her boyfriend. A comma is placed when there are several subordinate clauses. In this case, the function of the comma is to make the sentence easier to read and understand.
But! It is recommended for beginners to learn English to write complex sentences with commas to make it easier to distinguish between the main and subject parts of a large Complex Sentence. When you have studied the topic well and can identify the main and subject parts at a glance, you can omit the comma.
On a note! When translating into Russian in a complex sentence in the second part (in a subordinate clause), the subject can be omitted:
She didn't return to us last night because she met her boyfriend:
- She didn't come back to us last night because she met her boyfriend.
- She didn't come back to us last night because she is met her boyfriend.
The first option is more common. The second can only be used in colloquial speech. At the same time, grammar says that a sentence in English must have a subject, but in Russian it can be omitted - the meaning remains unchanged.
Lack of conjunctions in complex sentences
In complex sentences, conjunctions may be absent:
- I visited the exhibition you wanted me to go to => I visited the exhibition you wanted me to go to.
If you use the union, then the union is well suited here that=> I visited the exhibition that you wanted me to go to.
- I never thought I should meet you once more => I never thought that we would meet again.
- I listen to the music my friend suggested me to listen to => I listen to music that my friend suggested I listen to.
What are the subordinate clauses in complex subordinate clauses?
Subordinate Clauses can replace any member of a sentence, be it a subject, an object, a nominal part of a predicate, a circumstance or a definition. Here are some examples for better understanding:
- This juice is not what we used to taste in america. (This juice is far from what we drank with pleasure in America.) => adjective predicate.
- Who will become the new administrator is still unknown . (It is still unknown who will become the new administrator.) => subordinate subject
- Today their doctor told them how one renews his health. (Today their doctor told them how to restore health.) => additional clause
- Diamonds are natural fossils which attracts millions of people. (Diamonds are a natural resource that attract millions of people.) => attributive clause
- After he returned from the village, he looks unhappy . (After returning from the village, he looks miserable.) => adverbial clause
Summing up
When studying English, the topic of complex sentences should be studied. Every day we talk using such sentences in our speech. To learn how to correctly express your thoughts in complex sentences in English, you need to learn linking words, in other words, unions that will help separate complex sentences from complex sentences. Doing exercises regularly and studying the rules that English grammar dictates, you will soon notice the first signs of success and get an incentive to study further. Good luck and conquer new heights!
Good day, lovers and tormentors of English!
Let's look at complex sentences in English today.
A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of several, i.e. each part of which has its own subject and predicate (here, for example, like this sentence before the brackets). By the way, this is all very reminiscent of the rule in Russian, which I once loved so much ...)) Therefore, we will have to understand in a new way only the features of such sentences in English. The rest - just remember from the school lessons of the native language.
Go...
Compound sentences can be divided into two main types: compound and complex.
- In a compound sentence, although its parts are united by some common meaning, they may well exist as separate independent sentences, which cannot be said about a complex sentence.
- In a complex sentence, one part is subordinate to the other, i.e. depends on it, respectively, cannot be used as an independent structure.
In compound sentences, conjunctions are often found and/but/or:
I don't want to eat, but I want to drink.
Parts of a complex sentence are connected by various unions and allied words, and the sentences themselves are divided into several subspecies, which we will consider in more detail.
Determinative clauses
Definitive sentences decipher for us information about the person or thing we are talking about and enter in words who/that /which /whose , they all translate as " which, -th, -th ».
- When we talk about man, then we use who :
The girl who likes to skip is our neighbors' daughter.
- In a relationship of things fit which :
The bag which has fallen down on the floor costs $500
- And here are the words that,whose are universal, fit like for animate, and for the inanimate items:
The man whose house we stayed in is my uncle.
The town whose towers you can see is York.
- And that can drop, if it does not play the role of the subject:
This is a Purse ( that) I am looking for.
Could you tell me the name of the boy that is sitting opposite us? (cannot be removed from the sentence, because it is the subject in the subordinate clause)
Note: You can study this kind of subordinate clauses in more detail.
Adverbial clauses
There are several types. See the table below:
| time | When(when) After(after) Before(before as) While(bye) As long as(as long as, as long as, in that case) as soon as(once) Till / Until(until …) | They'll go home when the film is over. I got the news after he left. Before you say anything, I have one more surprise for you. While they were washing, she was doing her homework. You can borrow my car as long as you promise not to drive too fast. As soon as I had finished, I joined them. We have to wait until he arrives. |
| Terms | If(if) On condition that(provided that) Unless(if not) | Will you wait for me if I am late? He is free on condition that he never speaks of what he has seen. You can't go on vacation unless you save some money. |
| The reasons | Because(because) As(because) Since(because) Although(although) | I am asking because I want to know your opinion. He was not eating as he was not hungry. Since we are capable of changing the world, let us not leave it unchanged. Although they have very different roles, they have common features. |
| mode of action | As if(as if) as though(as if) | You act as if nothing happened.He gives orders as though he was the boss. |
| Goals | so that(to) | I send you this so that you can give me advice. |
| Places | Where(where) Wherever(wherever, wherever) | I have put it where I can find it again. They go shopping wherever they are. |
Additional clauses
That/when/if
Here, pay attention to sentences with when: do not confuse them with clauses of time.
Compare:
I don't know when he will arrive. (I do not know what?= subordinate clause)
I will call him when he arrives. (subordinate tense, in such a sentence the future tense cannot be used, it is replaced by the present)
General punctuation rules
- Before unions and,but,or put comma
- Comma not put before that .
- If the offer starts with an adjective, then after it put comma.
- If the subordinate clause is in the middle of a sentence, then it is on both sides separated by commas.
- If the subordinate clause is worth in the end, then a comma not required.
I think the theory is enough. It's time to move on to practice!
If you have any questions, ask them in the comments - we'll figure it out!
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And consider complex sentence in English. Recall that a complex sentence in English is a complex sentence in which there is a main part and one or more dependent parts, each of which has its own subject and predicate. For example, in a sentence:
When I arrived in Kiev it was raining - when I arrived in Kyiv, it was raining
(this complex sentence consists of the main part: it was raining and the dependent part: when I arrived in Kiev - when I arrived in Kyiv)
Main offer(Main Clause)
main part complex sentence in English indicates the main event described in this sentence. The main clause, unlike the subordinate clause, cannot be omitted without affecting common sense complex sentence.
The subordinate clause in English(Subordinate clause)
A sentence that depends on the main clause is called a subordinate clause. Relative clauses can perform the functions of various members of the sentence (subject, object, circumstance ...), it also explains the main sentence. The subordinate clause, unlike the main clause, can usually be omitted, retaining the main meaning of the complex sentence in English.
Note:
The exception is the nominal clause (Nominal Clause) - this is a subordinate clause that performs the function of a noun in a sentence. Nominal clauses formed with unions:
The conjunction that may be omitted if it is not at the absolute beginning complex sentence. If that introduces a sentence with the meaning of an urge or a wish, then the subjunctive form can be used in the subordinate clause. The clause introduced by the union that after some verbs can be replaced by the pronoun so:
They demanded that Sir Philipp resign his position - they demanded that Sir Philip resign his position
Doing my best I wondered if there was anything else I could do
Interrogative words (Wh - words):
I have already decided which English language courses to chose - I finally decided which English language courses to choose
Infinitive turnover as a nominal clause. In this case, the infinitive phrase can be introduced with a question word:
The problem is where to live - the problem is where to live
It takes time to speak English fluently - it takes time to speak English fluently
The gerundial turnover (ing-clause) also, as a rule, performs the same function in the sentence as the noun:
II. Non-finite turns with non-personal (or non-finite) forms of the verb in English, perform the same functions as subordinate clauses. Non-finite (non-finite) forms of the verb do not express person, number, mood, voice:
To get into this company you have to be highly qualified - to get into this company, you must be highly qualified
Types of subordinate clauses according to the function of the main verb:
I. Nominal clauses
These sentences perform functions similar to those of a noun:
What I believe is none of your business - none of your business, what I believe
II. Determinative clauses sentences - subordinate clauses that perform the function of definition:
This is the English language courses we went to before
III. Adverbial clauses sentences perform the function of circumstance.