Question

complex sentences

• a complex sentence contains one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

example: people who study earthquakes are called seismologists.
a. put brackets around the subordinate clause, and underline the independent clause in each complex sentence below. the first one is done for you.

1. the bananas that had fallen between the trees were a deep purple.
2. the soldiers waded across the stream where the water was shallow.
3. they waited for me until the last few cars.
4. the fans of that team were sad when the team lost the game.
5. when marco was tired, he was charmed by the beauty of the hills.
6. sceptics will call for you when she is ready.
7. some spiders that are found in suriname have legs forty centimetres long.
8. those who are going will arrive on time.
9. do not throw the ball after youve hit the ball.
10. tell us about the trip that you made a year ago.

b. add a subordinate clause that begins with the word in parentheses to make a complex sentence.

1. i try not to drive. (when)
2. the electric light is an important invention. (that)
3. the telephone stopped ringing. (before)
4. she is the engineer. (who)
5. this is the book. (that)

Explanation:

1. In "The snakes that had fallen below the trees were a dozen people", the subordinate clause is "that had fallen below the trees" and the independent clause is "The snakes were a dozen people".
2. In "The soldiers waded across the stream where the water was shallow", the subordinate clause is "where the water was shallow" and the independent clause is "The soldiers waded across the stream".
3. "They waited for me until the last few cars" is an incomplete sentence. A correct complex - sentence could be "They waited for me until the last few cars arrived", with "until the last few cars arrived" as the subordinate clause and "They waited for me" as the independent clause.
4. In "The fans of that team were sad when the team lost the game", the subordinate clause is "when the team lost the game" and the independent clause is "The fans of that team were sad".
5. In "When Marco was tired, he was charmed by the beauty of the hills", the subordinate clause is "When Marco was tired" and the independent clause is "he was charmed by the beauty of the hills".
6. In "Sceptics will call for you when she is ready", the subordinate clause is "when she is ready" and the independent clause is "Sceptics will call for you".
7. In "Some spiders that are found in Sumatra have legs forty centimetres long", the subordinate clause is "that are found in Sumatra" and the independent clause is "Some spiders have legs forty centimetres long".
8. In "Those who are going will arrive on time", the subordinate clause is "who are going" and the independent clause is "Those will arrive on time".
9. In "Do not throw the ball after you've hit the ball", the subordinate clause is "after you've hit the ball" and the independent clause is "Do not throw the ball".
10. In "Tell us about the trip that you made a year ago", the subordinate clause is "that you made a year ago" and the independent clause is "Tell us about the trip".

For adding subordinate clauses:

1. "I try not to drive (where there is heavy traffic)" - The subordinate clause "where there is heavy traffic" makes it a complex sentence.
2. "The electric light is an important invention (that changed the world)" - The subordinate clause "that changed the world" makes it a complex sentence.
3. "The telephone stopped ringing (before I could answer it)" - The subordinate clause "before I could answer it" makes it a complex sentence.
4. "She is the engineer (who designed this building)" - The subordinate clause "who designed this building" makes it a complex sentence.
5. "This is the book (that I was looking for)" - The subordinate clause "that I was looking for" makes it a complex sentence.

Answer:

1. Subordinate clause: that had fallen below the trees; Independent clause: The snakes were a dozen people.
2. Subordinate clause: where the water was shallow; Independent clause: The soldiers waded across the stream.
3. Revised: They waited for me until the last few cars arrived. Subordinate clause: until the last few cars arrived; Independent clause: They waited for me.
4. Subordinate clause: when the team lost the game; Independent clause: The fans of that team were sad.
5. Subordinate clause: When Marco was tired; Independent clause: he was charmed by the beauty of the hills.
6. Subordinate clause: when she is ready; Independent clause: Sceptics will call for you.
7. Subordinate clause: that are found in Sumatra; Independent clause: Some spiders have legs forty centimetres long.
8. Subordinate clause: who are going; Independent clause: Those will arrive on time.
9. Subordinate clause: after you've hit the ball; Independent clause: Do not throw the ball.
10. Subordinate clause: that you made a year ago; Independent clause: Tell us about the trip.

Add - on sentences:

1. I try not to drive (where there is heavy traffic)
2. The electric light is an important invention (that changed the world)
3. The telephone stopped ringing (before I could answer it)
4. She is the engineer (who designed this building)
5. This is the book (that I was looking for)