There are 3 different types of sentence
types, namely:
1. Simple sentence
2. Compound sentence
3. Complex sentence
Once you know the differences between the
three sentence types (simple, compound,
and complex), it is possible to write a
variety of sentences.
Sentence variety helps make your writing more
interesting.
We need to understand certain points in order to
transform the sentences from:
- Simple
 Compound/ Complex
- Compound  Simple/ Complex
- Complex
 Simple/Compound
Note these when working on Transformation of
Sentences:
Do not change the meaning of the sentence.
You need to change word forms in the sentence
very often:
e.g. adjective –> noun
verb
–> noun
noun
–> adjective, etc.
Pay attention to punctuation of the sentence
transformed.
A simple sentence can be transformed into a compound
sentence by modifying the phrase or word into a
coordinating clause.
Example 1:
Simple Sentence
• He worked hard to make up for the lost time.(simple
change into compound)
This sentence can be made into two parts and those
two parts can be joined by a conjunction ‘and’.
Compound Sentence
• He worked hard, and he made up the lost time.
Example 2:
Simple Sentence
• The teacher punished the children for disobedience.
(simple change into compound)
This sentence can be made into two parts and those two
parts can be joined by a conjunction ‘so’.
Compound Sentence
• The children were disobedient, so the teacher punished
them.
• The teacher punished the children, for they were
disobedient.
** You see how the Transformation of Sentence takes
place without changing the meaning of the sentence.
The following examples illustrate ways in which
the compound sentences are transformed into
simple sentences.
Example 1:
Compound Sentence
• We must eat ,or we cannot live. (compound
change into simple)
Simple Sentence
• We must eat to live.
Example 2:
Compound Sentence
• You have a temper, so he hates you. (compound change into
simple)
Simple Sentence
• He hates you for your temper.
Example 3:
Compound Sentence
• He is too fat, so he cannot run. (compound change into simple)
Simple Sentence
• He is too fat to run.
A simple sentence can be transformed into a complex sentence by
modifying the phrase into a subordinating /dependent clause.
Example1:
Simple Sentence
• I saw a wounded bird. (simple change into complex)
Here, the adjective phrase has been changed into a dependent clause.
Complex Sentence
• I saw a bird that was wounded.
Example 2:
Simple Sentence
• My superior was surprised to hear my speech. (simple change into
complex)
Complex Sentence
• My superior was surprised when she heard my speech.
• When my superior heard my speech, she was surprised.
Example 3:
Simple Sentence
• I asked him the reason for going there. (simple change into
complex)
Complex Sentence
• I asked him why he went there. (‘why’ is a subordinating
conjunction)
Or
The following sentences will illustrate how to transform
complex sentences into simple sentences.
Example 1:
Complex Sentence
• Tell me where you live. (complex change into simple)
Here too, the Dependent Clause has been changed into a
Noun phrase.
Simple Sentence
• Tell me your address.
Example 2:
Complex Sentence
• I did not know that there were so many kinds of birds. (complex
change into simple)
Simple Sentence
• I did not know many kinds of birds./ I was ignorant of so many
kinds of birds.
Example 3:
Complex Sentence
• Young people, who are wise, work hard. (complex change into
simple )
Simple Sentence
• Wise young people work hard.
We can change Compound sentences into Complex sentences by
removing the conjunction ‘and’ or ‘FANBOYS’ and using
subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns to form the
dependent clause.
Example 1:
Compound Sentence
• Just search his pocket, and you will find the watch. (compound
change into complex)
By removing the conjunction ‘and’ and adding subordinating
conjunction ‘if’ and also a subject, we can change this into a Complex
Sentence.
Complex Sentence
• If you search his pocket, you will find the watch.
Example 2:
Compound Sentence
• You can settle the bill in full, but you will get no discount for it.
(compound change into complex)
Complex Sentence
• Although you can settle the bill in full, you will get no discount for
it.
Example-3:
Compound Sentence
• I gave him what he wanted, yet he was not happy.
Or
• I gave him what he wanted; he was not happy. (compound change
into complex)
Complex Sentence
• Though/Although/Even though I gave him what he wanted, he
was unhappy.
Example-1:
Complex Sentence
• I am glad that he has recovered from his illness. (complex change
into compound)
In this sentence, two actions are noted. ‘I am glad’ is one simple
sentence and ‘he has recovered from illness’ is another simple
sentence.
Now using the conjunction ‘and’, we can convert this sentence into a
Compound sentence.
Compound Sentence
• He has recovered from his illness, and I am glad.
Example-1:
Complex Sentence
When the bell rang, the students entered their classrooms. (complex
change into compound)
Compound Sentence
The bell rang, so the students entered the classrooms.
Example-2:
Complex Sentence
The expatriate left because he received the telegram. (complex change
into compound)
Compound Sentence
The expatriate left, for he received the telegram./ The expatriate
received the telegram, so he left.