Compound, complex and multiple sentence
1. COMPOUND SENTENCE
consists of two or more main clauses, which are independent on each other
clauses are connected by coordinating conjunctions (such as and, and then, but, for, nor, or, so, yet, either…or, neither…nor, not only…but), adverb or adverbial phrase
using these conjunctions we can express
- addition (and, neither…nor)
I washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen
- continuation (and then)
I was reading a book and then I watched TV.
- contrast (but, yet)
John phoned this morning, but he didn’t leave a message.
- choice (or, either…or)
We can stay at home or have a dinner in a restaurant.
- result (so)
She didn’t show up at the party, so I went home.
- reason (for)
We don’t usually eat out, for we can’t afford it.
when the subject is identical in all parts of the sentence, it’s not necessary to repeat it
the subject is usually repeated after so
the subject must be repeated after for
there isn’t usually a comma in front of and
there is often a comma in front of other conjunctions
2. COMPLEX SENTENCE
consists of one main clause and one or more dependent clauses
dependent clause is subordinate to the main clause
clauses are connected by subordinate conjunctions (such as after, when, that, whether, since…), relative pronouns
there are three main types of dependent clauses
- nominal clauses
- relative clauses
- adverbial clauses
2.1 NOMINAL CLAUSE
may function as a subject, object or subject complement
there are four types of nominal clauses
- nominal declarative clauses
- nominal interrogative clauses
- nominal exclamative clauses
- nominal relative clauses
2.1.1. NOMINAL DECLARATIVE CLAUSE
derived from statement
sometimes called ‘that clauses’, because the typical conjunction for this type of clause is that
nominal declarative clause is often used after ‘reporting verbs’ (such as tell, say, know, think)
that can be usually omitted
It’s a shame (that) you have to leave.
2.1.2 NOMINAL INTERROGATIVE CLAUSE
derived from question
there are two types of nominal interrogative clauses
- derived from yes/no questions
- conjunctions if, whether
- used after ‘reporting verbs’ (such as tell, ask, want to know)
Ask her if she’s alright.
- derived from question word questions
- used after the same reporting verbs as above
- the question itself (with not inverted word order) creates the nominal interrogative clause
Tell me what did you do yesterday.
2.1.3 NOMINAL EXCLAMATIVE CLAUSE
derived from exclamation
I remember what a brilliant time we had at your party.
main clause can contain anticipatory it
It is incredible how fast she can run.
2.1.4 NOMINAL RELATIVE CLAUSE
What I want is a hot bath.
Whoever broke the window should confess now.
2.2 RELATIVE CLAUSE
are introduced with relative pronouns (who, whom, which, whose, that)
who, whom and that are used when we refer to people
which and that are used when we refer to animals and things
when these pronouns have a function of a subject of the relative clause we can’t omit them
He is the man who/that loves me.
when these pronouns have a function of an object of the relative clause we can omit them
He is the man who(m)/that I love.
prepositions in relative clauses can be placed
- in front of the relative pronoun
She is the person to whom I was talking.
- at the end of the relative clause
She is the person who(m) I was talking to.
- we can omit the relative pronoun and place the preposition at the end of the relative clause
She is the person I was talking to.
when we refer to people, whose is used instead of possessive adjectives
She is the woman whose child was killed in the car crash yesterday.
we distinguish two types of relative clauses (according to the importance of the information they give us)
- restrictive (defining) clause
- give us essential information
- can’t be omitted
- commas are not used
The guy who helped me with my homework was Tom’s brother.
- non-restrictive (non-defining) clause
- give us additional information
- can be omitted
- commas are used
My boyfriend, who lives in London, phoned me yesterday.
2.3 ADVERBIAL CLAUSE
- there are many types of adverbial clauses
time
- answers the question When?
- we use conjunctions such as when after, as, as soon as, before, by the time that, once, since, until, till, while
I met him when I was in London.
place
- answers the question Where?
- conjunctions where, wherever, anywhere, everywhere
You can play anywhere you want.
manner
- answers the question How?
- conjunctions as, (in) the way (that), (in) the same way, as if, as though
It sounds as if it’s raining.
reason
- answers the question Why?
- conjunctions because, as, seeing (that), since
She moved out from her parents because she wanted to life on her own.
contrast
- conjunctions although, considering (that), though, even though, even if, much as, while, whereas, however + adjective or adverb
I’m going to buy the bike even though I know it’s too expensive.
purpose
- conjunctions so that, in order that, in case
- after in case simple present or should must be used
Take an umbrella with you in case it rains.
result
- conjunctions so + adjective (that), such + noun (that)
He’s such a lunatic (that) he would do anything.
comparison
- conjunctions as…as, not so…as, not as…as, than
- after as and than object pronoun or subject + verb is used
He is as crazy as me.
He is as crazy as I am.
3. COMPOUND-COMPLEX (MULTIPLE) SENTENCE
- consists of two or more main clauses and one or more dependent clauses
I will phone my boyfriend, who lives in London, and tell him about my birthday party, that is next week.
Zdroje:
Alexander, L. G. : Longman English Grammar Practice, London, Longman 1993 - Dušková, L. : Mluvnice současné angličtiny na pozadí češtiny, Praha, Academia 1994 -
|