Compound and Complex Sentences

Compound Sentence
Lets make your sentences grow. The easiest way is to join two simple sentences to make a compound sentence. Pattern 1 S V

;S

(two short, related sentences joined)

Pattern 1 helps you join two short, simple sentences having closely related ideas by a semi-colon. DO NOT PUT A COMMA! You avoid putting a comma if you faithfully copy the following patterns for compound sentences, being careful to imitate the punctuation exactly. Remember that an independent clause has a subject-verb combination that makes a full statement. What follows the semicolon must be able to stand alone; otherwise your sentence is wrong. Examples: 1. Kuala Lumpur is a busy city; this means getting around it will be easy. 2. Malaysians come from different backgrounds; you might want to know what is not suitable. 3. Malaysia offers the cheapest rates for tourist; the country beat the likes of Bangkok, New York, London, and Tokyo. 4. Central Market is an entertainment and recreational hub for local citizens and foreigners; it is a one-stop souvenir-shopping centre in Kuala Lumpur. 5. The easiest way to get around the city is by boarding the LRT system; it services some of Kuala Lumpurs affluent and heavily populated areas.

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Pattern 2 S V

; however, S

(two short, related sentences joined) Pattern 2 uses a conjunctive adverb (connector), such as however, hence, therefore, thus, then, moreover, nevertheless, likewise and consequently. You still need a semicolon before the connector, but a comma after the connector is optional. Below is the function of each of the conjunctive adverb.

WORDS OR PHRASES WHICH SIGNAL A CHANGE OF DIRECTION but instead on the contrary otherwise however although nevertheless in contrast to on the other hand despite even though still though in spite of

WORDS OR PHRASES WHICH SIGNAL EXPANSION for example for instance that is to say such as like to make my point clear in other words that is for instance to illustrate

WORDS OR PHRASES WHICH SIGNAL THE EFFECT OF AN ACTION as a result resulting from consequently resulting in therefore

WORDS OR PHRASES THAT SIGNAL THE CAUSE OF AN ACTION on account of resulting from because on the grounds that for the reason that owing to due to since in that

WORDS OR PHRASES THAT SIGNAL CONCLUSION therefore finally my final point consequently last of all for all these reasons in conclusion to sum up as a conclusion in brief

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Examples: 1. The overall cost of living in Dubai is similar to that in most European countries; therefore, it is expensive for most Malaysians. 2. In Dubai, utilities are subsidised to some extent by the government; this results in inexpensive electricity and water for the local population. 3. Utilities are cheaper in Dubai than in most European countries; however, utilities in Malaysia are comparatively much cheaper than in Dubai. 4. Your cost of living will obviously depend on your lifestyle; consequently, you will pay higher prices for internationallyrecognised branded goods than for locally made ones. 5. Dubai has been recognised as one of the safest city to live in; on the other hand, Malaysia is not. Pattern 3 S V

, but

(two short, related sentences joined) Pattern 3 uses a conjunction such as, and, but, or, yet, for, nor and so. A comma is needed before the conjunction. Examples: 1. People like to live in the city, for they want to be where the action is. 2. I live right in the middle of the city, so I could walk to my favourite hang outs anytime. 3. Big cities may not be safe to live in, yet they provide others with many opportunities. 4. There is no cool breeze, nor is there fresh air in the city. 5. There is a lot of walking in the city, and this promotes good health. 6. City dwellers could exercise in modern gymnasium or they could jog at the city park.

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Complex Sentence
A complex sentence has one dependent (headed by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun) joined to an independent clause.

Practice 9
These sentences contain one complete sentence and at least one dependent clause. Underline the independent clause in the sentences. 1. Don't use food to comfort your child. 2. Children and youths are faring better today than ever before. 3. Childhood obesity will rise to be an epidemic if parents continue not to check on their childrens diet. 4. Children need lots of energy because they are growing. 5. Being overweight as a child can cause psychological distress. 6. Obese children are at risk from a number of serious health problems more usually seen in adulthood. 7. Very few children become overweight because of an underlying medical problem. 8. It is probably easier to change a child's eating and exercise habits than it is to change an adult's. 9. Doctors recommend a gradual increase in physical activity to at least an hour a day. 10. Encourage children to be selective about what they watch on the television.

Practice 10
These sentences have three clauses: an independent clause and 2 dependent clauses. Underline the independent clause in each. 1. Coming from an industrial town, it is a nice change to be away from the dirt produced by industries and traffic. 2. If they want to find a job, especially a good position in a company, they feel they have to live in a city. 3. To enjoy these jobs, they are willing to put up with many of the disadvantages of city life. 4. Since they have e-mail and personal computers, they do not have to be in big cities to conduct their business.

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5. They can escape the hectic city life to enjoy life in the countryside and still be able to do good business. 6. I live in Phnom Penh, the capital city of Cambodia, where most activities happen. 7. It is nice to read about people from all around the world talking about life. 8. We get stress from the surrounding environment that is noisy and polluted. 9. You get almost everything you need in life, provided that you work hard. 10. Life in the city is too fast that everyone hardly stops to enjoy nature which is free. In practice 9 and 10, you will see that the independent sentences (the ones you have underlined) make sense on its own. The rest of the clauses are built around the independent sentence. All the other clauses are subordinate or dependent on it. To construct complex sentences correctly, there are two main groups of words that you will have to use: subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION
when because what whereas where as whether despite how in order that although the fact that if so that before unless until that as long as whenever

RELATIVE PRONOUN
who whom which whose that

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Practice 12:
Build a complex sentence from each of the following simple sentences. The number of subordinate clauses you should add is shown in brackets. 1. The iPod can store thousands of songs. 2. Each prize comes with a cash award. 3. Malaysia has not bred any Nobel Prize winners. 4. He did not know how to read and write. 5. Six scientists were honoured this week. 6. The youngest winner is Sir Laurence Bragg. 7. Her readership will increase. 8. She has produced more than 40 books. 9. He was inspired. 10. Her thirst for knowledge was fed by the book club.

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