Study Notes: Variations and Complex Sentences

Hello Grammar Explorer!

Welcome! Ever feel like your sentences are a bit plain, like using only one colour to draw a picture? This chapter is all about adding colour, detail, and power to your writing by learning how to build bigger, better sentences. We're going to learn about complex sentences.

Why is this important? Because learning to connect your ideas properly will make your writing and speaking clearer, more interesting, and much more impressive! Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, we'll break it down into easy steps.


The Basic Building Block: The Simple Sentence

Before we build something amazing, we need to know our basic building blocks. In English, our most basic block is the simple sentence.

A simple sentence has one main idea. It has a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a verb (the action). It's also called a main clause or an independent clause because it can stand all by itself.

• The dog barked.
• Maria enjoys reading books.
• My brother plays football every Saturday.

Simple sentences are great, but using only simple sentences can make your writing sound robotic. Let's learn how to connect them!

Key Takeaway

A simple sentence (or main clause) has one complete thought and can stand on its own.


Supercharge Your Sentences: What are Complex Sentences?

A complex sentence is like a superhero with a sidekick. It has one main clause (the superhero that can stand alone) and at least one subordinate clause (the sidekick that depends on the hero).

Think of it this way:
Main Clause (Superhero): I finished my homework. (This makes sense by itself).
Subordinate Clause (Sidekick): before I went to the park. (This doesn't make sense alone. Before you went to the park... what happened?).

When we put them together, we get a powerful complex sentence:
• I finished my homework before I went to the park.

These clauses are joined by special connecting words called subordinating conjunctions. They act like glue, sticking the sidekick to the superhero!


Connecting Ideas with Subordinating Conjunctions

Different conjunctions show different relationships between ideas. Let's look at the most common types you'll use, just like in your other school subjects!

1. Explaining 'Why' (Cause and Effect)

These conjunctions help you explain the reason something happened.

Keywords: because, since, as

• Sam was late because he missed the bus.
• Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic.
• I didn't buy the game as it was too expensive.

Quick Tip: If the subordinate clause (the sidekick) comes first, you need a comma after it. If it comes after the main clause, you usually don't need a comma.

• Since it was raining, we cancelled the picnic. (Comma needed)
• We cancelled the picnic since it was raining. (No comma needed)

2. Showing Time and Sequence

These conjunctions tell us when something happens in relation to another action.

Keywords: when, while, after, before

• My mum called me while I was watching TV.
• After the lesson ended, we went for lunch.
• Please wash your hands before you eat.

3. Showing a Contrast or Condition

These conjunctions show an unexpected result (a contrast) or a situation that must happen first (a condition).

Keywords: although, even though (for contrast); if, unless (for condition)

• Although he was tired, he kept studying for the test. (Contrast)
• I will go to the party if I finish my project. (Condition)
• You will not pass the exam unless you study hard. (Condition)

Key Takeaway

Complex sentences use conjunctions like because, after, and if to join a main clause with a subordinate clause, adding more detail and showing how ideas are related.


Adding Extra Details with Relative Clauses

Another powerful way to make complex sentences is by using relative clauses. A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause that gives us more information about a noun (a person, place, or thing).

They often start with special words called relative pronouns.

• who (for people)
• which or that (for things)
• where (for places)

How to Build them: Step-by-Step!

Let's combine two simple sentences into one cool complex sentence.

Example 1: Using 'who'
• Simple sentences: The girl is my classmate. She won the art competition.
• Combined sentence: The girl who won the art competition is my classmate.

Example 2: Using 'which'
• Simple sentences: I read a book. It was very exciting.
• Combined sentence: I read a book which was very exciting.

Example 3: Using 'where'
• Simple sentences: This is the park. We play football here.
• Combined sentence: This is the park where we play football.

Did you know? Using relative clauses makes your writing flow much more smoothly instead of being choppy with lots of short sentences.


Common Mistakes to Avoid

As you become a sentence-building expert, watch out for these common traps!

1. The Sentence Fragment: This happens when your subordinate clause (the sidekick) tries to be a sentence all by itself.

• Mistake: Because I was hungry.
• Correction: I ate a sandwich because I was hungry.

2. Forgetting the Comma: Remember the rule! If the subordinate clause comes first, give it a comma!

• Mistake: Before you go out you should finish your chores.
• Correction: Before you go out, you should finish your chores.


Final Quick Review

Simple Sentence: One main clause. Example: The sun is shining.

Complex Sentence: One main clause + one (or more) subordinate clauses. Example: The sun is shining, although it is quite cold.

Joining Words:
• Use because, since for reasons.
• Use after, before, when, while for time.
• Use although, if, unless for contrasts and conditions.
• Use who, which, that, where to add extra details about nouns.

You've got this! The best way to get better is to practice. Try to spot complex sentences when you're reading, and challenge yourself to use them in your next piece of writing. Happy writing!