Part 6 · Changing SentencesChapter 28 · Transformation

Lesson28.4

B2Page 122 of 155

Simple, Complex, Compound: Changing Sentences

Turn a simple sentence into a complex or a compound one, and back, without changing the meaning. The tools: participles, phrases, because, when, though, so, and, but.

At a glance

Key chart
Tools for changing
  • Simple → complexadd a clause: because, as, when, if, though, that, who, so that
  • Simple → compoundjoin two main clauses: and, but, or, so
  • Complex → simpleuse a participle, a phrase, to + V1, because of, in spite of
  • Compound → simpleuse a participle or a phrase
Step by stepOne idea, three structures
  1. 1Simple: a phrase or a participleBeing tired, I went to bed.
  2. 2Complex: a dependent clauseAs I was tired, I went to bed.
  3. 3Compound: two main clausesI was tired, so I went to bed.

Common changes

SimpleComplexCompound
Being ill, he could not come.As he was ill, he could not come.He was ill, so he could not come.
In spite of being poor, he is honest.Though he is poor, he is honest.He is poor, but he is honest.
He worked hard to succeed.He worked hard so that he might succeed.He wanted to succeed, so he worked hard.
Seeing the police, the thief ran away.When the thief saw the police, he ran away.The thief saw the police and ran away.
Without working hard, you cannot pass.If you do not work hard, you cannot pass.Work hard, or you cannot pass.
On his arrival, we started.When he arrived, we started.He arrived, and we started.
He is too weak to walk.He is so weak that he cannot walk.He is very weak, so he cannot walk.
He admitted his guilt.He admitted that he was guilty.He was guilty, and he admitted it.

In pictures

Seeing the police, the thief ran away. (simple)

When the thief saw the police, he ran away. (complex)

The thief saw the police and ran away. (compound)

Practice

Answer the questions. Get 7 out of 10 to finish this lesson.

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