COMPLEX SENTENCE (CÂU PHỨC)
I.
Definition (Định nghĩa)
- A complex sentence (1 câu phức) bao gồm 1 mệnh đề chính (independent clause) và 1 hay nhiều mệnh
đề phụ (dependent clause) (nhưng thường là 1 mệnh đề phụ). Hai mệnh đề thường được nối với nhau
bởi dấu phẩy hoặc các liên từ phụ thuộc.
Ví dụ: While he waited at the train station, Joe realized that the train was late.
(Trong khi chờ ở nhà ga, Joe nhận ra tàu đã bị trễ.)
 Lưu ý:
- Mệnh đề chính tức là mệnh đề không phụ thuộc có nghĩa là dù nó có tách ra làm 1 câu đơn thì nó vẫn
có nghĩa.
- Mệnh đề phụ là mệnh đề bắt buộc phải đi kèm với mệnh đề chính thì mới có nghĩa, khi tách ra làm 1
câu đơn thì không có nghĩa.
- Thông thường liên từ phụ thuộc sẽ đứng trước mệnh đề phụ.
Ví dụ:
1. When I came, they were watching TV.
when: liên từ phụ thuộc
when I came: mệnh đề phụ
they were watching TV: mệnh đề chính.
II.
Các liên từ được sử dụng trong câu phức:
1. Diễn đạt nguyên nhân – kết quả
As/Since/Because + mệnh đề, mệnh đề
Ví dụ: As social media is attracting a lot of people, digital marketing can depend on it to advertise
products.
=> Vì phương tiện truyền thông xã hội đang thu hút rất nhiều người, tiếp thị kỹ thuật số có thể dựa vào
nó để quảng cáo sản phẩm.
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2. Diễn đạt sự quan hệ nhượng bộ
– Công thức:
(1) Although/Though/Even though + mệnh đề, mệnh đề.
(2) Mệnh đề + Although/Though/Even though + mệnh đề.
Lưu ý: Trong cấu trúc thứ 2, câu văn không có dấu phẩy giữa hai vế.
Ví dụ: Although Yura practised on the ice every day, he could not successfully perform the 4a swing.
=> Mặc dù Yura luyện tập trên băng hàng ngày, nhưng anh ấy không thể thực hiện thành công cú xoay
3. Diễn đạt mối quan hệ tương phản / đối lập
– Công thức:
(1) While + mệnh đề, mệnh đề.
(2) Mệnh đề + while/whereas + mệnh đề.
Lưu ý: Trong cấu trúc thứ 2, câu văn có hay không có dấu phẩy giữa hai vế đều được.
“Whereas” có nghĩa “trong khi” => Thể hiện sự tương phản nên không dùng ở đầu câu.
Ví dụ:
I would like to live in my hometown, whereas many people want to immigrate abroad.
=> Tôi muốn sống ở quê hương của mình trong khi nhiều người muốn nhập cư ở nước ngoài.
4. Diễn đạt mục đích
– Công thức:
Mệnh đề + in order that/so that + mệnh đề (động từ dùng Modal Verbs)
Lưu ý: “so that” luôn đứng ở giữa câu.
Ví dụ: I wear three layers of Sweatshirts so that I wouldn’t be cold.
=> Tôi mặc ba lớp áo nỉ để không bị lạnh.
5. Diễn tả thời gian
– Công thức:
(1) Trạng từ chỉ thời gian (After/ Before/ While / When…) + mệnh đề, mệnh đề.
(2) Mệnh đề + trạng từ chỉ thời gian (After/ Before/ While / When…) + mệnh đề
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Ví dụ: After his girlfriend come back to Vietnam, they would marry.
=> Sau khi bạn gái anh ấy về Việt Nam, họ sẽ kết hôn.
6. Đưa ra giả thuyết:
– Công thức:
(1) If/As long as/Unless/In case + mệnh đề, mệnh đề.
(2) Mệnh đề + if/as long as/unless/in case + mệnh đề.
Lưu ý: Mệnh đề có chứa “Unless” luôn ở dạng khẳng định.
Ví dụ: In case the weather gets colder, you should wear a jacket.
=> Phòng trường hợp thời tiết trở nên lạnh hơn, bạn nên mặc áo khoác.
PRACTISE
Exercise 1: Rewrite the following sentences.
1. Hoa studied hard. She passed the test (BECAUSE)
___________ _______________________________________
2. I was not enjoying the party. I wanted to leave early. (AS)
__________________________________________________
3. He didn’t study. He failed the test (IF)
__________________________________________________
4. It was cold outside. She wore a coat. (SO)
__________________________________________________
5. You want to knit a hat for your friend. You should watch tutorials on YouTube. (BEFORE)
__________________________________________________
6. I was cleaning out my cupboards. I found these photos. (WHILE)
__________________________________________________
7. I told the absolute truth. No one would believe me ( BUT)
__________________________________________________
8. I’m learning Japanese. I like learning Japanese. (BECAUSE)
__________________________________________________
Exercise 2: Mark the letter a, b, c or d to indicate the sentence that best combines each pair of sentences
1. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend. The train arrived.
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A. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend as soon as the train arrived.
B. After the train arrived, Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend.
C. The train arrived while Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend.
D. Elizabeth was writing a note to her friend whenever the train arrived.
2. The water is very cold in January. We go swimming anyway.
A. When the water is very cold in January, we go swimming anyway.
B. As the water is very cold in January, we go swimming anyway.
C. The water is very cold in January if we go swimming anyway.
D. Although the water is very cold in January, we go swimming anyway.
3. The water was very rough. The lifeguards made all of the swimmers leave the water.
A. Since the water was very rough, the lifeguards made all of the swimmers leave the water.
B. The water was very rough so that the lifeguards made all of the swimmers leave the water.
C. The water was very rough because the lifeguards made all of the swimmers leave
D. The lifeguards made all of the swimmers leave the water though the water was very rough.
4. Mike goes jogging two miles every morning. Then he gets ready for work.
A. Mike goes jogging two miles every morning after he gets ready for work.
B. Mike goes jogging two miles every morning before he gets ready for work.
C. Mike goes jogging two miles every morning as soon as he gets ready for work.
D. Mike goes jogging two miles every morning when he gets ready for work.
5. Ticket prices might be more expensive. Going to the movies is still much cheaper than going to a
concert.
A. Ticket prices might be more expensive then going to the movies is still much cheaper than going to a
concert.
B. Ticket prices might be more expensive that going to the movies is still much cheaper than going to a
concert.
C. Going to the movies is still much cheaper than going to a concert since ticket prices might be more
expensive.
D. Going to the movies is still much cheaper than going to a concert although ticket prices might be
more expensive.
6. We went to Dong Xuan Market. We flew back to Ho Chi Mirth City at 7 pm.
A. We went to Dong Xuan Market while we flew back to Ho Chi Minh City at 7pm.
B. Before we flew back to Ho Chi Minh City at 7 pm, we went to Dong Xuan Market.
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C. We went to Dong Xuan Market in order that we flew back to Ho Chi Minh City at 7 pm.
D. As we went to Dong Xuan Market, we flew back to Ho Chi Minh City at 7 pm.
7. You need to plan your trip to South America carefully. You don’t spend all your money too quickly.
A. You need to plan your trip to America carefully so that you don’t spend all your money too quickly.
B. You need to plan your trip to America carefully although you don’t spend all your money too quickly.
C. You need to plan your trip to America carefully as you don’t spend all your money too quickly.
D. Even though you need to plan your trip to America carefully, you don’t spend all your money too
quickly.
8. Richard is very wealthy. He can afford to buy almost anything he wants.
A. Although Richard is very wealthy, he can afford to buy almost anything he wants.
B. Richard is so wealthy that he can afford to buy almost anything he wants.
C. Richard is very wealthy so that he can afford to buy almost anything he wants.
D. Richard can afford to buy almost anything he wants, but he is very wealthy.
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