Types of Sentences Based on STRUCTURE (Sentence Transformation)

Sentence Transformation within Four Types of Sentences Based on Structure

Conversion of simple sentence into compound sentence and vice versa

To convert a simple sentence into a compound sentence, follow these specific steps:

1. Identify the Main Clauses: Break down the simple sentence into two or more independent clauses that can stand alone.
2. Use Coordinating Conjunctions: Connect the independent clauses using appropriate coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS).

3. Add Necessary Verbs: Ensure each independent clause has its own subject and verb.

Here’s how these rules apply to the given example:

Simple Sentence: The weather being fine, we went out for a walk.
                                (absolute phrase)         (main clause/independent clause)

In the above sentence, the absolute phrase doesn't contain a verb, it just provides additional information to the main clause.

 

Conversion Process:

1. Identify Clauses: 

 - Clause 1: The weather was fine. (Now the absolute phrase contains a verb 'was' and becomes an independent clause)

- Clause 2: We went out for a walk.

2. Use suitable Coordinating Conjunction:

- Combine the clauses with "and."

3. Ensure Proper Structure:

- Both clauses should have a subject and a verb.

Compound Sentence: The weather was fine,                 and                           we went out for a walk.

                                  (independent clause)    coordinating conjunction           (independent clause) 

So, in the above sentence now we have two independent clauses. - two subject and two verbs joined by a coordinating conjunction.

Simple Sentence: The weather being fine, we went out for a walk.

                                (absolute phrase)                  (one independent clause)

Compound Sentence: The weather was fine                 and                             we went out for a walk.
                                (one independent clause) (coordinating conjunction) (another independent clause)

Activity

Change the following Simple Sentence into Compound Sentences using above methods.

1. In spite of all his wealth, we was not happy.
2. He must work hard to succeed in his business.
3. Notwithstanding her old age, my mother works hard.

Check your answers

1. Simple: In spite of all his wealth, we was not happy.

- Compound: He had plenty of wealth but he was not happy.

2. Simple: He must work hard to succeed in his business.

- He must work hard or he will not succeed in his business.

3. Simple: Notwithstanding her old age, my mother works hard.

- Compound: My mother is old, but she works hard.

Likewise, you can transform a compound sentence into a simple sentence by simply applying the reverse of the above rules.

Example: 

Compound: He is poor,                             but                                       he is happy.

                (independent clause)      coordinating conjunction      (independent clause)

Simple: In spite of his poverty,         he is happy.

              (prepositional phrase)          (independent clause)

'In spite of his poverty' is not a clause because it doesn't have a subject and a verb.

Note the following list of conjunctions or phrases to be used while a sentence into a simple sentence

    

1. Compound: He was ill and didn’t attend the party.

- Simple: Being ill, he didn’t attend the party.

2. Compound: She is not only pretty but also clever.

- Simple: Besides being pretty, she is clever.

3. Compound: He was ill, but he attended the classes.

- Simple: In spite of his illness he attended the class.

Activity

Transform the following sentences according to the instruction given in the bracket.

1. He must run fast to catch the train. (Change into compound sentence)
2. Being guilty he went into hiding.  (Change into compound sentence)
3. Being innocent, he never thought of running away.(Change into compound sentence)
4. He was not only sent to prison but also heavily fined. (Change into simple sentence)
5. The old man sat in a corner and drank. (Change into simple sentence)
6. A friend intervened and he was later released from jail. (Change into simple sentence)
7. Being lazy, he failed. (Change into compound sentence)

Check Your Answers

1. He must run fast to catch the train. (Change into compound sentence)

- He must run fast or he will not catch the train.

2. Being guilty he went into hiding.  (Change into compound sentence)

- He was guilty and went into hiding.

3. Being innocent, he never thought of running away.(Change into compound sentence)

- He was innocent and never thought of running away.

4. He was not only sent to prison but also heavily fined. (Change into simple sentence)

- Besides being sent to prison, he was heavily fined.

5. The old man sat in a corner and drank. (Change into simple sentence)

- The old man sat in a corner, drinking.

6. A friend intervened and he was later released from jail. (Change into simple sentence)

- Owing to a friend’s intervention, he was later released from jail.

7. Being lazy, he failed. (Change into compound sentence)

- He was lazy and failed.

Conversion of compound sentences into simple sentences examples

1. He is poor, but he is happy.
- In spite of his poverty, he is happy.
- Notwithstanding his poverty, he is happy.

 

2. He is not only a fool, but also a villain.
- Besides being a fool, he is a valiant.

3. You must work hard or you will not pass the examination.
- You must work hard to pass the examination.

4. The sun rose and the fog dispersed.
- The sun having risen, the fog dispersed.

Conversion of compound sentence into complex sentence and vice versa
Compound sentences consist of two or more independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunctions  such as "and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," or "yet." (FANBOYS). Complex sentences consist of one dependent clause and two or more independent clauses. So while transforming compound into complex sentences, one independent clause of the compound sentence should be made into dependent clause by using a subordinating conjunction (and sometimes correlative as well).

Note the list of following conjunctions to be used while a changing compound sentence into a complex sentences.

Example: 

Compound: She saw me             and                                             she came running to me.

             (independent clause)    (Coordinating conjunction)           (independent clause)

Complex: As soon as she saw me,                                     she came running to me. 

         (subordinating conjunction + dependent clause)        (independent clause)

                                                        (OR)

Complex: She came running to me as soon as she saw me.

                 (independent clause)        (Subordinating conjunction + dependent clause)

***If you use subordinating conjunction in the beginning, use comma(,) after the independent clause and no comma (,) is required if you use it after the independent clause.

Activity

Change the following compound sentences into complex sentences.

1. Science is a good servant but it is a bad master.
- Though science is a good servant, it is a bad master.

2. Run fast, or you will miss the train.

- Unless you run fast, you will miss the train.

- If you do not run fast, you will miss the train.

3. He will come today and I have no doubt about it.
- I have no doubt that he will come today.

4. The principal arrived and the meeting began.
- When the principal arrived, the meeting began.

Likewise, you can transform a Complex sentences into a compound sentences by simply applying the reverse of the above rules.
Examples: 
Complex: If you do not hurry, you will miss the train.

                (dependent clause)    (independent clause)

Compound: You must hurry,         or you will miss the train.

               (independent clause)         (independent clause) 

Complex: I found the ring that I had lost.
Compound: I had lost the ring, but I have found it.

Complex: He works hard, so that he may succeed in life.
Compound: He wishes to succeed in life, and, therefore, he works hard.

Conversion of simple sentences into complex sentences and vice versa.

- While changing simple sentences into complex sentences and vice versa, use the list of conjunctions as discussed earlier.

Simple: No one can foretell the time of his death.
Complex: No one can foretell when he will die.

Simple: His silence proves his guilt.
Complex: The fact that he is silent, proves his guilt.

Simple: He seems to be a fool.
Complex: He seems that he is a fool.

Simple: Except for his being an undergraduate, he is fit for the post.
Complex: Except that he is an undergraduate, he is fit for the post.

Simple: Because of the rain, we decided to stay back home.
Complex: As it was raining, we decided to stay back home.

Simple: Besides being a good doctor, Sheena is a great artist.
Complex: Not only is Sheena a good doctor but also a great artist.

Complex: It is so soon that the outcome cannot be determined.
Simple: It is too soon to determine the outcome.

Complex: Even though she tried multiple times, she could not clear the forty-fifth level

Simple: In spite of trying multiple times, she could not clear the forty-fifth level.

Complex: As the cat stretched itself, it crawled into a comfortable position on the couch.
Simple: Stretching itself, the cat crawled into a comfortable position on the couch.