29. The Complex Sentence

A complex sentence consists of two or more clauses joined by means of subordination.

The main clause is one that stands alone .

A subordinate clause is a kind of modifier to the principal clause. Traditionally numerous types of clauses are arranged in three groups:I. Nominal clauses II. Attributive clauses

III. Adverbial clauses

I. The Complex sentence with nominal clauses.

All nominal clauses have a function similar to that of a noun or a nominal phrase.

1. A subject clause function as subject of the main clause which has no subject of its own

2. A predicative clause functions as predicative to the link verb within the main clause

3. An object clause refers to verbs in different forms and functions, on adjective, statives and occasionally to nouns, and may be obligatory or optional.

1. The complex sentence with a subject clause is introduced by conjunctions or conjunctive pronouns or conjunctive adverbs: What I need is a piece of good advice.

2. The complex sentence with a predicative clause may be introduced by conjunctions, be conjunctive pronouns or conjunctive adverbs: The fact was that he had forgotten about it.

3. The complex sentence with an object clause may be introduced by conjunctions or conjunctive pronouns or conjunctive adverbs.

Eg. I don’t know why I like you so much. He was glad that no one was at home.

II. The complex sentence with an attributive clause.

An attributive clause may be introduced by connectives - relative pronouns or relative adverbs. Attributive clauses fall into two types: restrictive or non-restrictive clauses.

III. The complex sentence with an adverbial clause.

Adverbial clauses are usually classified according to their meaning, that is, according to the relation they bear to the main clause.

According to their semantics we distinguish adverbial clause of place, time, manner, comparison, purpose, cause, result.

THE COMPOUND SENTENCE

A compound sentence consists of two or more clauses of equal rank which form one syntactical whole in meaning and intonation. Coordinate clauses may be linked together with or without a connector; in the first case they are joined syndetically (with the help of a conjunction)Eg. Jane was late and we decided to leave without her. or asyndeticaily: (without the help of a conjunction)Eg. I came,I saw, I conquered. In writing coordinate clauses may be marked off by a comma, a semicolon, a colon or occasionally a dash. In speaking they are separated by pauses.There are four kinds of coordinate connection: 1 Copulative coordination(соединительные) Implies that the information conveyed by coordinate clauses is in some way similar.The copulative connectors are: the conjunctions and, nor, neither... nor, not only... but (also), as well as, and the conjunctive adverbs then, moreover, besides.And is the conjunction most frequently used to realize copulative coordination. It may suggest mere addition. Eg.Jane was late and we decided to leave without her. 2 Adversative coordination(противительные) joins clauses containing opposition, contradiction or contrast. Adversative connectors are: the conjunctions but, while, whereas, the conjunctive adverbs however, yet, still, nevertheless, and the conjunctive particle only. Eg.The story was amusing, but nobody laughed. 3 Disjunctive coordination(разделительные) implies a choice between two mutually exclusive alternatives. The disjunctive conjunctions are or, either... or, the conjunctive adverbs are else (or else), otherwise.Eg.You can join us at the station, or we can wait for you at home. 4 Causative-consecutive coordination(причиноследственные) joins clauses connected in such a way that one of them contains a reason and the other - a consequence. The only causative coordinating conjunction is for. Eg.The days became longer, for it was now springtime.

1. He never comes late from work.

Summer follows spring.

Classes last till 3 p.m.

I disagree with his words.

In May 1979 Marg.Thatcher becomes…

Why don’t you join us?

2. I don’t know where we are going.

He is still sleeping.

The climate is getting warmer.

Mr Stone is always grumbling.

I’m leaving at the end of the week.

3. There wasn’t any snow last December.

The dog picked up the bone and carried it away.

Every week he took his girl out.

4. She was sitting in the library from 2 till 4 yesterday.

In those days he was always borrowing money and forgetting to pay it back.

Ann asked if Jane was talking on the telephone.

I was wondering if you’d like to come out with meoneevening

5. The tomatoes haven’t ripened yet.

How many times have you been in love?

Ben has been to Africa several times.

Have you been to Mexico in the past year?

I’ve never tasted papaya.

6. She has been telling lies all her life.

I have been learning English for 6 years.

It has been raining heavily all night.

7. After he had finished breakfast he sat down to write some letters.

When Mike had shaven off his beard he looked much younger

8. How long had you been living in London before you moved to Leeds?

Mary could see that the child had been crying.

9. She’ll be 20 next Friday.

I think they will easily win the match.

Oh, I’ve left the door open. I’ll go and shut it.

Shall I send him a fax?

The door won’t open.

10. I’ll be waiting at the station when you arrive.

I don’t know his decision yet. He’ll be calling later.

When will you be moving?

11. My sister will have left school by July.

I’ll have finished it within the next hour.

By the end of the year, they’ll have been working at this project for 2 years.