Word order in an English complex sentence. Compound sentences in English

A complex sentence consists of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause explains the main thing and connects with it with the help of subordinating conjunctions and allied words:

If the main and subordinate clauses have the same subject, then in Russian it can be omitted in the subordinate clause. In English, the presence of a subject in a subordinate clause is mandatory.

Compare:
He writes that he is coming to Moscow. He writes that he will come to Moscow.

In English, unlike Russian, the subordinate clause is not separated by a comma from the main clause if the main clause comes before the subordinate clause, and can be separated by a comma if the subordinate clause precedes the main one:

I know that they are at home. I know they are at home now.
When I was in Kiev, I met Petrov. When I was in Kyiv, I met Petrov there.

2. Types of subordinate clauses.

Relative clauses are divided into nominal (performing the function of a noun - subject, object, nominal part of the predicate) and adverbial.

A) An example of a nominal subordinate clause is an additional subordinate clause. Additional subordinate clauses function in a complex sentence direct complement and answer the question "what?". They are connected with the main clause most often with the help of the union that [ðæt, ðət] - which is the same as allied words. Unlike the Russian union that, the union that is often omitted:

We know (that) they're doing well. We know that they are good students.
I know they are here. I know they are here.

Such an addition of an additional subordinate clause to the main clause is called unionless.

B) An example of adverbial clauses is clauses of time. Adverbial clauses of time indicate the time of the action, answer the question "when?" - when and are introduced by the subordinating union when when and a number of other unions:

When I was a student, I lived in Kiev. When I was a student, I lived in Kyiv.

C) In English, adverbial clauses of time can also be introduced by conjunctions:

till (untill) until, until;
as soon as as soon as;
before, before; before;
after after;
while while.
Please stay here until I return. Stay here, please, until I return.
Please wait for him, here till he comes back. Please wait here until he returns.

Please note that in Russian, after conjunctions, until, while in the subordinate clause of time, an intensifying particle is used, which is not translated into English.

As soon as he saw us, he came towards us. As soon as he saw us, he walked towards us.
Please give me this book to read after you have finished it. Please let me read this book after you have read it.
You should see the doctor before you go back to work. You need to see a doctor before returning to work.
While I"m writing this, you can read a newspaper. While (= while) I am writing this, you can read the newspaper.

D) Another example of adverbial clauses is a conditional clause, which expresses a condition necessary for the action of the main clause to take place. Conditional sentences are most often introduced with the union if - if:

Can I have this book to read if it's interesting? May I take this book to read if it is interesting?

E) Adverbial clauses of reason indicate the reason for the action and answer the question "why?" why? They are introduced by subordinating conjunctions because because and as [æz, əz] since, because.

I couldn't go to the Institute yesterday because I was ill. I couldn't go to the institute yesterday because I was sick.
As my lessons begin at half past eight, I have to get up at seven in the morning. Since (since) my lessons start at half past eight, I have to get up at seven in the morning.
My friend works hard at his English, as he wants to speak the language well. My friend is working hard on his English because he wants to speak English well.

Note. Adverbial adverbial clauses of reason can be both before and after the main clause, and the conjunction because is used, as a rule, when the subordinate clause comes after the main one.

3. Intonation.

If the subordinate clause precedes the main clause, then it is most often pronounced with an ascending tone, for example:
If you are ill, you should certainly stay in ↓ bed. If you are sick, you should definitely lie in bed (rest in bed).

General information.
In English, as well as in Russian, in addition to simple sentences, there are also complex sentences. A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of two or more simple sentences combined into one whole in meaning and intonation. A complex sentence contains two or more grammar basics. Simple sentences that make up complex ones are called in English clauses. Simple sentences that are not part of complex sentences, as well as complex sentences in general, are called sentences. Simple sentences can be combined into complex ones as follows:

without union, only with the help of intonation (union-free sentence):

Love me, love my dog. - Love me, love my dog too.
A man is known by the company he keeps. - Tell me who your friend is I'll tell you who you are.(Cf .: A person is recognized by friends)

with the help of union and intonation (union sentence):

It never rains but it pours. - It's not just raining but the rain is pouring. (Compare: Trouble has come - open the gate)
Helaughsbestwho laughslast. - He laughs well who laughs last.
Between the parts of a complex sentence, relations of composition and subordination can arise.

compound sentence ( The Compound Sentence)
A compound sentence consists of two or more sentences that are equal in meaning, connected into one whole with the help of a coordinative connection. This means that simple sentences do not depend on each other grammatically as part of a compound sentence, which can be divided into simple sentences without distorting the meaning.

Simple sentences that are part of a compound sentence can be combined in two ways:
1) athelpwritingunions and, but, for, or, yet, either… or, neither… nor, as well as, not only… but also and others. A comma is usually placed between sentences connected by coordinating conjunctions. The comma can be omitted before conjunctions and And or if the sentences they enter are short. Simple sentences in compound sentences are pronounced with falling intonation.
A cold wind was blowing and a snowstorm began. - A cold wind blew And the blizzard started.
I have not much news to convey but there are some things to add. - I have some news but I need to say something extra.
Ibegantomisslondon,yet I wasnotcomingback. - I started to miss London, howeverless I didn't intend to go back there.
Youcanboilyourselfaneggor I'llmakeyouacheesesandwich. - You can boil your own egg or I'll make you a cheese sandwich.
They liked the house or they wouldn't have bought it. - They liked the house butthen they wouldn't buy it.
Annhadaheadache,for she had slept badly last night. - Ann had a headache because she hadn't slept well the night before.

2) in an allied way using intonation and punctuation marks. With an allied connection, sentences are separated from each other by a semicolon or comma, less often by a colon or dash, and when reading, by lowering the voice at the end of each sentence:
A cold wind was blowing, a snowstorm began. - A cold wind was blowing, a blizzard was beginning.
My parents are quite young people, they live their own lives. - My parents are still young people they have their own lives.
Thehousebadlyneedspainting; the garden is overgrown with weeds. - The house needs to be painted; the garden is overgrown with weeds.
The rain stopped, the sky cleared: we could continue our journey. - The rain stopped, the sky cleared up - we could continue our journey.
Theyaskedforfood-there wasnone.- They asked for food - there was no food.

complex sentence ( The Complex Sentence)
Compound sentences in which one simple sentence is subordinate to another and connected to it by a subordinating conjunction or allied word are called compound sentences.
The difference between unions and allied words is that the union, as a service part of speech, cannot perform the function of a sentence member, its only function in a complex sentence is to link simple sentences in its composition.

Allied words, in addition to the linking role, have the grammatical function of a sentence member. Pronouns and adverbs can act as allied words. For example:
Idon'tknowwhat youmean. - I do not know, what do you mean.
(what- allied pronoun, which not only connects the subordinate clause with the main one, but is also a direct complement to the verb-predicate in the subordinate clause mean.)
Idon'tknowhow youdoit. - I do not know, how you do it.
(how- allied adverb, which, in addition to the connecting role, performs the function of the adverb of the mode of action in the subordinate clause.)

A complex sentence consists of a main clause ( Theprinciples/MainClause) and one or more dependent clauses ( SubordinateClauses) connected to the main one with the help of a subordinate connection. The subordinate clause is grammatically dependent on the main clause, performing in it the function of one of the members of the sentence.

Relative clauses can be combined with the main:

athelpsubordinatingunions that, if, when, because, as soon as, as long as, till, as, before, after, since, lest, whether, unless, though, so that and etc.:

I know ( that) he is right. - I know, what he is right.
I was out when he came. - I was not at home, when he came.
She had only a cup of tea because she was not hungry.- She only drank a cup of tea because she did not want to eat.
that,when And because are unions, since they are not part of either the main or the subordinate clause.

with the help of allied connecting words-adverbs and pronouns where,how,what,which,who(m),that and etc.:

He knew who had brought the letter . - He knew, who broughtletter.
He knew when I would come.- He knew, whenII will come.
He showed me the picture that he was given as a birthday present. - He showed me a picture whichto himgaveon thedaybirth.
In the examples above who,when And that are allied words because who performs the function of the subject, when is a function of the circumstance of time, and that- the function of the complement in the corresponding subordinate clauses.

in an allied way- using word order and intonation:

The lad you have just talked to is my sister's friend. - The guy you just talked to is my sister's friend.
IneverthoughtIshouldsee you again. - I never thought that I would see you again.
He quickly looked through the newspaper he had bought atthestation.- He skimmed through the newspaper he had bought at the station.

Relative clauses dependent on the main clause may themselves have dependent clauses:
Heknewthatthey would search the area where they had lost him. - He knew that they will search area, where they lost sight of him.

Compound sentences can consist of three or more sentences connected by composing and subordinating:
Thehousewhere L.Tolstoywas bornisaMuseum,and the surroundingsin which Tolstoy spenthischildhoodandyouthhavebeenrestoredwithmeticulouscare.
- House, where L. Tolstoy was born, is a museum, And situation, inwhich Tolstoy spent his childhood and youth, carefully restored to the smallest detail.

Good day, lovers and tormentors of English!

Let's look at complex sentences in English today.

A complex sentence is a sentence consisting of several, i.e. each part of which has its own subject and predicate (here, for example, like this sentence before the brackets). By the way, this is all very reminiscent of the rule in Russian, which I once loved so much ...)) Therefore, we will have to understand in a new way only the features of such sentences in English. The rest is just a reminder school lessons native language.

Go...

Compound sentences can be divided into two main types: compound And complex.

In a compound sentence, although its parts are united by some common meaning, they may well exist as separate independent sentences, which cannot be said about a complex sentence.
In a complex sentence, one part is subordinate to the other, i.e. depends on it, respectively, cannot be used as an independent structure.

In compound sentences, conjunctions are often found and/but/or:

I don't want to eat, but I want to drink.

Parts of a complex sentence are connected by various unions and allied words, and the sentences themselves are divided into several subspecies, which we will consider in more detail.

Determinative clauses

Definitive sentences decipher for us information about the person or thing that we are talking about, and are entered in words who/that/which /whose , they all translate as " which, -th, -th ».

When we talk about man, then we use who :

The girl who likes to skip is our neighbors' daughter.

In a relationship of things fit which :

The bag which has fallen down on the floor costs $500

And here are the words that,whose are universal, fit like for animate, and for the inanimate items:

The man whose house we stayed in is my uncle.
The town whose towers you can see is York.

And that can drop, if it does not play the role of the subject:

This is a Purse ( that) I am looking for.
Could you tell me the name of the boy that is sitting opposite us? (cannot be removed from the sentence, because it is the subject in the subordinate clause)

Note: You can study this kind of subordinate clauses in more detail.

Adverbial clauses

There are several types. See the table below:

time	When(when) After(after) Before(before as) While(till) As long as(as long as, as long as, in that case) as soon as(as soon as) Till / Until(until …)	They'll go home when the film is over. I got the news after he left. Before you say anything, I have one more surprise for you. While they were washing, she was doing her homework. You can borrow my car as long as you promise not to drive too fast. As soon as I had finished, I joined them. We have to wait until he arrives.
Terms	If(if) On condition that(provided that) Unless(if not)	Will you wait for me if I am late? He is free on condition that he never speaks of what he has seen. You can't go on vacation unless you save some money.
Causes	Because(because) As(because) Since(because) Although(though)	I am asking because I want to know your opinion. He was not eating as he was not hungry. Since we are capable of changing the world, let us not leave it unchanged. Although they have very different roles, they have common features.
mode of action	As if(as if) as though(as if)	You act as if nothing happened.He gives orders as though he was the boss.
Goals	so that(to)	I send you this so that you can give me advice.
Places	Where(where) Wherever(wherever, wherever)	I have put it where I can find it again. They go shopping wherever they are.

Additional clauses

That/when/if

Here, pay attention to sentences with when: do not confuse them with clauses of time.

Compare:

I don't know when he will arrive. (I do not know what?= subordinate clause)
I will call him when he arrives. (subordinate tense, in such a sentence the future tense cannot be used, it is replaced by the present)

General punctuation rules

Before unions and,but,or put comma
Comma not put front that .
If the offer starts with an adjective, then after it put comma.
If the subordinate clause is in the middle of a sentence, then it is on both sides separated by commas.
If the subordinate clause is worth in the end, then a comma not required.

I think the theory is enough. It's time to move on to practice!

If you have any questions, ask them in the comments - we'll figure it out!

And do not forget to subscribe to new materials and news of my blog - it will be interesting and useful!

Compound sentences in English are sentences that consist of two or more parts, separate sentences that are dependent on each other. At the same time, there is one main sentence that contains the main idea, it is called the main, or Principal Clause, and subordinate clauses (Subordinate Clauses) will depend on it: all complex sentences in English consist of at least two parts. Let's look at the basic rules for creating complex sentences, and also learn the conjunctions of paramount importance that are used in Complex Sentences.

Complex sentences (Complex Sentences) consist of unequal parts, that is, as we have already indicated, one part depends on the other. It follows that one sentence explains the other. To distinguish complex sentences from compound ones, one can be guided by the presence in the sentence of peculiar identifiers, which are unions (compound sentences have their own characteristic unions). The main subordinating conjunctions used in Complex Sentences are:

that,
after,
because,
where,
when,
whose

But! Complex sentences can be without unions! But more on that later.

Let's look at examples of how complex sentences with conjunctions will look like:

That	I feel that they will come earlier to search what they have lost in these places	I feel that they will return later to look for what they have lost in these places.
After	After they came back from Italy, they feel happy	They feel happy upon their return from Italy ( or After they returned from Italy, they feel happy)
If	If I had a thousand of flowers, I would be really very happy!	If I had thousands of flowers, I would be really very happy!
Who	They don't like those who think they are always right	They don't like those who think they're always right
Because	because she met her boyfriend	She didn't come back to us last night because she met her boyfriend.
Where	That is the place where we used to play 5 years ago	This is where we used to play 5 years ago
When	The day when I saw my new friend was a real high day for me	The day I saw my new friend was a real holiday for me
Whose	My teacher whose suggestions I always listen to, recommends to visit that courses.	My teacher, whose reasoning I trust, recommends that I attend those courses.

But! This is not the whole list of possible connecting words used in complex sentences. Remember the following unions:

therefore,
since,
while,
before,
after,
unless,
though,
although

Note! In English sentences, there is no need to put a comma before the subordinate clause. For example, the sentence She didn't return to us last night because she met her boyfriend can be either without a comma or with it => She didn't return to us last night, because she met her boyfriend. A comma is placed when there are several subordinate clauses. In this case, the function of the comma is to make the sentence easier to read and understand.

But! It is recommended for beginners to learn English to write complex sentences with commas to make it easier to distinguish between the main and subject parts of a large Complex Sentence. When you have studied the topic well and can identify the main and subject parts at a glance, you can omit the comma.

On a note! When translating into Russian in a complex sentence in the second part (in a subordinate clause), the subject can be omitted:

She didn't return to us last night because she met her boyfriend:

She didn't come back to us last night because she met her boyfriend.
She didn't come back to us last night because she met her boyfriend.

The first option is more common. The second can only be used in colloquial speech. At the same time, grammar says that a sentence in English must have a subject, but in Russian it can not be used - the meaning remains unchanged.

Lack of conjunctions in complex sentences

In complex sentences, conjunctions may be absent:

I visited the exhibition you wanted me to go to => I visited the exhibition you wanted me to go to.

If you use the union, then the union is well suited here that=> I visited the exhibition that you wanted me to go to.

I never thought I should meet you once more => I never thought that we would meet again.
I listen to the music my friend suggested me to listen to => I listen to music that my friend suggested I listen to.

What are the subordinate clauses in complex subordinate clauses?

Subordinate Clauses can replace any member of a sentence, be it a subject, an object, a nominal part of a predicate, a circumstance or a definition. Here are some examples for better understanding:

This juice is not what we used to taste in america. (This juice is far from what we drank with pleasure in America.) => adjective predicate.
Who will become the new administrator is still unknown . (It is still unknown who will become the new administrator.) => subordinate subject
Today their doctor told them how one renews his health. (Today their doctor told them how to restore health.) => additional clause
Diamonds are natural fossils which attracts millions of people. (Diamonds are a natural resource that attracts millions of people.) => attributive clause
After he returned from the village, he looks unhappy . (After returning from the village, he looks miserable.) => adverbial clause

Summing up

When studying English, the topic of complex sentences should be studied. Every day we talk using such sentences in our speech. To learn how to correctly express your thoughts in complex sentences in English, you need to learn linking words, in other words, unions that will help separate complex sentences from complex sentences. Doing exercises regularly and studying the rules that English grammar dictates, you will soon notice the first signs of success and get an incentive to study further. Good luck and conquer new heights!

As in many other languages, in English you can build sentences that include and describe several actions at once. In turn, the nature of the actions in the proposal can be divided according to the degree of importance. They can be equivalent, having the same grammatical features, able to agree with one subject and in the sentence go in the form of an enumeration. Usually such actions are performed by the same subject at a specified time. These are not complex sentences, they obey general rule the formation of simple sentences and usually do not cause any difficulties: She danced and laughed with us, as never before. (She danced and sang with us like never before.)

Differences between complex sentences and simple sentences

Also, actions in a sentence can be equivalent, but performed by separate objects. One such sentence can have two subjects and predicates, independent of each other in meaning. That is, the sentence has two parts connected to each other with the help of a union, where one part is not subordinate to the second. In such a case, both parts of the sentence are two independent simple sentences, subject to a single rule for constructing such constructions, and are called compound: He does his project and the boss like it. (He completed the project, and the boss liked it.) In other words, complex sentences in English are some kind of syntactic formations that combine several sentences. The sentences included in it are not independent and complete in meaning and represent interconnected elements of one whole complex sentence that complement each other. In rare cases, actions of different nature may refer to the same object, and then this object is mentioned repeatedly. Thus, two sentences are formed with subjects and predicates as part of one: Andrew likes his work and does everything will need. (Andrew loves his job and will do whatever it takes.) And sometimes we are talking about a specific subject and action, but with a different focus: She hates her, but she does not hate him. (She hates her, but not him.)

Compound and complex sentences

Complex sentences are usually divided into compound and complex sentences. The division is based on differences in semantic relations within sentences combined into one complex one. Equal, homogeneous constructions are combined with each other with the help of an essay. Subordination connects sentences consisting of unequal parts, where one acts as an addition, definition, circumstance. Submission implies a closer connection between the individual parts of the expressed thought than the composition.

Complex sentences with different types of connection

Such constructions combine simple sentences within themselves with the help of various syntactic means: lexical and phraseological elements, intonation, conjunctions and allied words. This is regulated by the order of the words in the sentence and the appropriate use of tenses and moods. The features of such sentences are due to the presence of the following allied words and conjunctions.

Conjunctions in complex sentences

but - but, but;
and - a, and;
though - although;
because - because;
or - or;
however - however, nevertheless;
when - when;
if - if;
still - still;
nevertheless - nevertheless;
as - how.

Usually, simple sentences within one complex one are separated by commas, and the union can be omitted: He opened the window, she thanked him. (He opened the window, she thanked him.) Complex sentences differ in purpose, for example, they may contain actions of different degrees of importance, when one event is the main one and the other is secondary, that is, it depends on the main one and obeys it.

Two principles for constructing complex sentences

In the grammar of the English language, there are two principles by which complex sentences are built that describe one or more events: by a complex sentence and by the impersonal form of the verb. That is, when an action is performed in a subordinate clause, it is secondary and, therefore, depends on the action of the main clause, which means that we are talking about a complex method of construction: I see a guy who is walking the dog. (I see a guy walking his dog.) The subordinate clause, having in its composition both the subject and the predicate, still cannot exist independently, since it is structured in such a way that it complements the information contained in the main clause.

Construction using the impersonal form of the verb

The second way to build complex sentences is possible thanks to the impersonal forms of the verb. These include: gerund (The Gerund), participle I and II of the form (The Participle) and the initial form of the verb - the infinitive (The Infinitive). All formulas at the very beginning have the form of an infinitive and have certain types of temporal features, according to which they are used in a sentence and have an active or passive voice (Active / Passive Voice). The initial form of the verb has no signs, mood, person and number, therefore, in a sentence it can be part of nominal predicate and mean a secondary action, but never acts as an independent predicate. Participle I (ending in -ing) and Participle II (with ending -ed or the third form of the verb) of the species can be part of the nominal predicate or used independently as a separate language unit. The infinitive, being an integral part of the nominal predicate, is used in the sentence with the already embedded signs of the meanings of the formulas after modal verbs. An example is the sentence in Active Indefinite Infinitive: You must do this task till next Monday. (You must complete the assignment by next Monday.) The infinitive has the features of Passive Indefinite or Active Continuous. For example:

You might be seen this film already. (You must have seen this movie before.);
Hemust be playing the piano this time. (He must be playing the piano at this time.)

All the given examples of signs of time, in this case related to Present (present tense), form their own derivatives of formulas. It is important to remember that when describing each specific action, whether it is main or secondary, one should proceed from the already existing seven formulas. Simply put, any action in an English sentence can be described only in strict accordance with one of the above formulas.

Breaking a complex sentence into several simple ones

As part of any modern language the fundamental element is the principle of constructing simple sentences with a description of one main action. Thus, any polysyllabic action describing a situation is quite appropriate to use in the form of successive simple phrases. An excellent example of how complex sentences are used is the following message: “After carefully considering the information provided to us by your committee, our panel came to the unanimous conclusion that, since the issues you raise in the material as a whole do not have a significant impact on the resolution of the existing situation in the region, this moment a decision on a final answer should be temporarily rejected until a more appropriate moment, although the questions we have received for consideration may be very useful for solving various problems of the region in the near future. This message can be broken down into several short sentences. Thus, the previous statement takes the following form: “Your committee provided materials for consideration by our commission. Our commission carefully studied them. You raise certain issues in the material. The commission came to the unanimous conclusion that, in general, the aspects raised cannot significantly affect on the situation in the region. They postponed making a decision until the first more appropriate moment. The members of the commission noted that nevertheless these questions can be useful in solving a certain range of tasks in the near future."

Results

The given example clearly explains that in English the description of situations can be performed both in the first variant and in the second. But the most simple and understandable, of course, is the second way. In addition, the choice of how to describe a situation often depends on the speaker. Here, one should also take into account the conditions of the environment and the speech capabilities of the one who speaks about it. And the speech capabilities themselves, as you know, are different for each person, even in the conditions of their native language.