❑ What is a phrase?

A group of words without a subject or a verb, making no complete sense is called a phrase.
E.g.: in a corner, at home, turning away, on the edge.

❑ What is a clause?
▪ A main (independent) clause has its own subject and a predicate and can stand alone is known
as a clause.
▪ A subordinate (dependent) clause contains a subject and a predicate but is not a complete
thought. It begins with a subordinate conjunction.
E.g.: He is sad because he failed the exams.
a. He is sad. (Independent clause – has a complete meaning)
b. because he failed the exam. (Dependent clause – doesn’t have a complete meaning and starts
with a subordinator)
Both these are parts of a sentence and both have their own subject and predicate.
Hence, they are called clauses.
 ❑ What is a sentence?
A sentence is a group of words that contains at least one subject and one predicate and makes
complete sense.
A subject is who or what is doing the action.
The verb is the action. The verb is also the predicate.
E.g.: 1. A good businessman maintains good relations with his customers.
2. The sun rises from the east.
Note: Sometimes the subject is absent or implied.
E.g.: 1. Thank you. (I thank you)
2. Shocking! (The news is shocking / It is shocking)
 ❑ Simple Sentence
A simple sentence contains only one clause, with a single subject and a predicate.
E.g.: I saw a beautiful house.
The river is flowing towards south.
❑ Compound Sentence
A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction / coordinator.
(An independent clause has a subject and a verb and forms a complete thought)
E.g.: 1. This house is too expensive, and that house is too small.
2. I really need to go to work, but I am too sick to drive.
3. He ran out of money, so he had to stop playing poker.
4. I am counting my calories, yet I want a dessert.
How to identify: If two clauses are connected with a coordinate conjunction, it is a compound
sentence.
 ❑ Complex Sentence
A complex sentence is a sentence that combines one independent clause with at least one
dependent clause.
(A clause is a group of words that has both – a subject and a verb.
An independent clause forms a complete thought)
E.g.: 1. I saw a house which was beautiful.
2. She returned the computer after she noticed that it was damaged.
3. Customers buy less products whenever prices rise.
4. Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
How to identify: If two clauses are connected with a subordinating conjunction, it is complex
sentence.
 TYPES OF SENTENCES OPTIONS EXAMPLES

1. Similar / time related ideas 1. Add ‘ing’ 1. I could climb onto a stool, and peer
into the house.
Ans: Climbing onto a stool, I could peer
into the house.
2. Add on + ‘ing’ 2. Mother woke up early. She went for a
OR after + ‘ing’ walk.
Ans: On / After waking up early, mother
went for a walk.
3. Add a noun or a phrase 3. Rohan is my brother and he is very
naughty.
Ans: Rohan, my brother, is very naughty. /
My brother Rohan is very naughty.
4. Add an adjective 4. Students who work hard will surely
succeed.
Ans: Hard-working students will surely
succeed.
5. Add an adverb 5. They escaped the fire. It was amazing.
Ans: Amazingly, they escaped the fire.
 TYPES OF SENTENCES OPTIONS EXAMPLES

2. Opposite / contrast ideas Add inspite of / despite of 1. Although he is very thin, he won
+ ‘ing’ the boxing match.
Ans: Inspite of being very thin, he won
the boxing match.
2. The man was punished even though
he didn’t commit the crime.
Ans: Despite of not committing the
crime, the man was punished.

3. Condition / alternative ideas Add without + ‘ing’ 1.You saved her or she would have
drowned.
Ans: Without you saving her, she
would have drowned.
2.Complete your work tomorrow or
else I would not let you come in my
class.
Ans: Without completing your work, I
would not let you come in my class.
 TYPES OF SENTENCES OPTIONS EXAMPLES

4. Reasons / illative (concluding) 1. Add ‘ing’ 1. Since they were late, they
ideas missed the bus.
Ans: Being late, they missed the
bus.
2. Add by + ‘ing’ 2. They played well. They won the
match.
Ans: By playing well, they won the
match.
3. Add to + verb (infinitive) 3. He wanted to pass the
examination. He worked hard.
Ans: To pass the examination, he
worked hard. /
He worked hard to pass the
examination.
1. I didn’t have the time to think about the meeting when I arrived.
Ans: On my arrival, I didn’t have the time to think about the meeting.
2. As I settled down inside the taxi, I sighed with relief.
Ans: On / After settling down inside the taxi, I sighed with relief.
3. When I reached the airport, I paid the driver double the fare.
Ans: After reaching the airport, I paid the driver double the fare
4. The flowers come to life only for a few days, yet they do so in full splendour.
Ans: Inspite of the flowers coming to life only for a few days, they do so in full splendour.
5. Children must learn to save money and spend it only on what they need.
Ans: Saving money, children must spend it only on what they need.
1. You learnt his name and spoke it often.
2. Although I had a whole team of kids to mentor, I took time for individual instruction
wherever needed.
3. This strategy looks easy but it is difficult to implement.
4. He drove to the doctor’s house and collected the samples.
5. Raj bought a new hard-disk with his own money and fixed the machine.
6. Grandpa abandoned his newspaper and called me to his room.
7. The work was easy but time-consuming.
8. He took confident steps and delivered his speech.
9. Rama completed her diploma and joined Tata as a trainee.
10. Riya called her friend after a long time and wished her on her success.
 For Compound Sentences

TYPE OF SENTENCES COORDINATORS Examples

Similar / time related ideas and, as well as, not only … but When she reached home, she
also went to sleep.

Opposite / contrasting ideas but, yet, however, still, She exercised regularly, but she
nevertheless lost no weight.

Condition / alternative ideas Or, either … or, neither … nor, Either bring the book tomorrow,
otherwise, else, or else or you will have to pay the fine.

Reason / illative ideas So, for, therefore, hence The boy was very hungry, so he ate
the entire sandwich.
 TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Synthesis to Compound Complex to Compound Simple to Compound
(Only use a coordinator) (Remove the subordinator and use a (Add another finite verb
coordinator) [a sentence] and add use a
coordinator)
1. It was a stormy night. We 1. Although they had lost the 1. Being an expert orator, he gave
ventured out. match, they enjoyed playing. an excellent speech.
A. It was a stormy night, yet we A. They lost the match, but they A. He was an expert orator, so he
ventured out. enjoyed playing. gave an excellent speech.

2. They saw a lion. They saw an 2. Since they played well, they won 2. Inspite of being irregular, his
elephant. the match. work was complete.
A. They not only saw a lion, but A. They played well, so they won A. He was irregular, but his work
also they saw an elephant. the match. was complete.
OR
Not only did they see a lion,
but also an elephant.
1. I received your letter. I thank you for it.
Ans: I received your letter and I thank you for it.
2. Rama was tired. She went to bed early.
Ans: Rama was tired so she went to bed early.
3. They will keep coming if you keep annoying them.
Ans: Do not keep annoying them or they will keep coming.
4. Breathing exercise must be prescribed. They must be done under a doctor’s guidance.
Ans: Breathing exercise must be prescribed and done under a doctor’s guidance.
5. I was afraid to take the journey. It was very long.
Ans: I was afraid to take the journey because it was vey long.
1. Having spent a lot of money for the candy jars, I had them confiscated at the airport.
2. I stood at the corner of the street to look around.
3. Even though she is an amazing player, there is scope for her to work on her forehand side.
4. It is simple and quickly implementable requiring no gestation period.
5. I captured the moment when they both burst out laughing.
6. She taught me to read without ever letting it get boring.
7. Grabbing a large bag, he got up.
8. They lived in Viman Nagar. It is in Pune.
9. Despite the hardships, Rama secured 88% in the class.
10. There we were on a Sunday afternoon, having a picnic in the middle of nowhere.
 For Complex Sentences
TYPES OF SENTENCES SUBORDINATORS EXAMPLES

Similar / time related ideas wh words, as … as, as if, than, that 1. When she reached home, she
went to sleep.
2. She learnt French as soon as
she moved to France
Opposite / contrasting ideas Though, although, even though, 1. Though they were tired, they
even if continued to work.
2. She didn’t get the job, even
though she was worth it.
Condition / alternative ideas If, unless, whether 1. If you know the answer, raise
your hand.
2. Don’t raise your hand unless
you know the answer.
Reason / illative ideas As, since, because, so that, such 1. As she was hungry, she
that, in order that hurriedly ate her meal.
2. He walked fast so that he could
reach the class on time.
 TYPES OF QUESTIONS
Synthesis to Complex Compound to Complex Simple to Complex
(Only use a subordinator) (Remove the coordinator and use a (Add another finite verb
subordinator) [a sentence] and add use a
subordinator)

1. You have lied to me. I shall 1. It was very cold outside yet 1. Seeing the child drowning,
never forget that. the lady came out for a he rushed towards him.
Ans: I shall never forget that walk. Ans: When he saw the child
you have lied to me. Ans: Though / even though it drowning, he rushed towards
was cold outside, the lady him.
came out for a walk.
2. She saw a man. His face 2. You must start your studies 2. Encouraged by M.S. Dhoni,
was lopsided. now or you may not score well. he took cricketing.
Ans: She saw a man whose Ans: If you do not start your Ans: Since he was encouraged
face was lopsided. studies now, you may not by M.S. Dhoni, he took
score well. cricketing.
1. He wanted a tie with a small embroidered A.
Ans: he wanted a tie which had a small embroidered A.
2. I reached for the paper bag to remove the documents.
Ans: Since I wanted to remove the documents, I reached for the paper bag.
3. The taxi had vanished, taking my briefcase.
Ans: When the taxi vanished, it took my briefcase.
4. One friend, a doctor, readily agreed to donate a used PC.
Ans: A friend who was a doctor readily agreed to donate a used PC.
5. Spider webs are delicate, yet very strong.
And: Though / Even though spider webs are delicate, they are very strong.
1. The store had all kinds of footwear but not the kind that I was looking for.
2. I decided to go in and check.
3. After making myself comfortable, I started the meeting.
4. We went to a rocky beach and saw the spread of the majestic ocean.
5. Those were the steps of a man walking rapidly around the dining-room table downstairs.
6. The wind makes the trees dance with unhindered passion.
7. Powdered asafoetida loses its aroma after some years, but the resins seem to be imperishable.
8. Imagine a house without roof.
9. Rama, a poor student, topped the class.
10. Raghav, a grocery shop owner, won the highest lottery.
 SIMPLE COMPOUND COMPLEX
TIME (‘ing’ / on + ‘ing’ / (and) (when)
after + ‘ing’)

Seeing his wife, he He saw his wife and When he saw his wife,
ran. ran he ran
REASON (‘ing’) (so / therefore) (as / since / because)

He ate the lunch

Being hungry, he ate He was hungry so he because he was
the lunch. ate the lunch. hungry.
CONTRAST (inspite of + ‘ing’) (but / still / yet) (though / although /
even though)

Inspite of studying He studied hard yet Although he studied

hard, he failed the he failed the test. hard, he failed the
test. test.
CONDITION (without + ‘ing’) (or) (if / unless)

Without working Work hard or you will Unless you work

hard, you will fail. fail. hard, you will fail.