424 The complex sentence: introduction The complex sentence Many sentences, especially in written language, are complex They can be formed by linking simple sentences together, but the elements in a complex sentence (unlike those of a compound sentence) are not of equal importance There is always one independent (or ‘main’) clause and one or more dependent (or 'subordinate') elements if removed from a sentence, a main clause can often stand on its own ‘Complex sentences can be formed in two ways 1 by joining subordinate clauses to the mam clause with conjunctions The alarn was raised (main cause) as soon as the fire was, discovered (subordinate clause) If you re not good at figures (subordinate clause) itis pointless to apply for a job in a bank (main clause) 2 by using infinitive or participle constructions [> 1.57] These are nonfinite and are phrases rather than clauses, but they form part of complex (not simple) sentences because they can be re-expressed as clauses which are subordinate to the main clause To got into university you havo to pass @ number of examinations = If you want to get into university) Seeing the door open, the siranger entered the house (= When he saw the door open ) Many different constructions can be present in a complex sentence (@) Free trade agreements are always threatened (main clause) (0) when individual countries protect their own markets (subordinate clause dependent on (a)) (©) by imposing duties on imported goods (participle construction dependent on (b)) (@) fo encourage their own industries (infinitive construction dependent on (c)) The subject of the mam clause must be replaced by a pronoun ina subordinate clause if a reference is made to it The racing car went out of control before it hit the barrier ‘A pronoun can occur in a subordinate clause before the subject is mentioned This is not possible with co-ordinate clauses When she got on the tram Mrs Tomkins realized she had made a droadtul mistake Co-ordinate and subordinate clauses can combine in one sentence The racing cer went out of control and hit the barrier several times before it camo to a stop on a grassy bank ‘The five simple sentence patterns [> 1.8] can be combined in an endless variety of ways Subordinate clauses can be classified under three headings ~ noun clauses He told me that the match had been cancelled ~ relative (or Holiday resorts which are very crowded adjectival) clauses are not very pleasant - adverbial clauses However hard I try | can t remember people s namesThe complex sentence: adverbial clauses 1.44 How to identify an adverbial clause | try hard, but | can never remember people s names However hard I try I can never remember people $ names Hard is an adverb, however hard Itry is an adverbiel (or adverb) clause itis telling us something about (or 'modifying’) can never remember Adverbs can often be identified by asking and answering the questions When? Where? How? Why?, etc [> 7.2] and adverbial clauses can be identified in the samo way time Tel him as soon as he arrives (When?) place You can sit where you like (wnere?) manner He spoke as if he meant business | (How?) reason He went fo bed because he felt ill (Why?) 1.45 Adverbial clauses of time 145.1 Conjunctions in adverbial clauses of time ‘These clauses broadly answer the question When? and can be introduced by the following conjunctions when after as as long as as ‘200n as before by the time (that) directly during the time (that) immediately the moment (that) now (that) once since untiltill whenever, and while We generally use a comma when the adverbial clause comes first You didn t look very well when you got up this morning Alter she got married Madeleine changed completely Ipulled a muscle as I was lifting a heavy suitcase You can keep these records as fong as you like [compare as lono as in conditional sentences > 14.21] ‘Once you've seen one penguin you ve seen them all ‘He hasn t stopped complaining since he got back from his holidays compare since in clauses of reason > 1.48] We always have to wait tilliuntil the last customer has left 1.452 Tenses in adverbial clauses of time: ‘no future after temporals’ When the time clause refers to the future, we normally use the simple prosent after affor as soon as before by the time directly immediately the moment tll until and when where we might expect a simple future, or we use the present perfect where we might expect the future perfect These two tenses are often interchangeable after temporal conjunctions The Owens will move to @ new flat when their baby is born (or has been born) The present perfectis often used after once and now that ‘Once (= when) we have decorated the house we can move in Now that we have decorated the house (action completed) we ‘can move in 1.45.3 Will’ after when’ ‘Though we do nat normally use the future in time clauses will can be used efter when in noun clauses [> 1.24.2] The hotel receptionist wants (o know when we will be checking ‘out tomorrow morning When meening ‘and then’ can be followed by present or future J shall be on holiday till the end of September when I return (or when I shall return) to London1.46 1.47 147A Adverbial clauses of place ‘These clauses answer the question Where? and can be introduced by the conjunctions where wherever anywhere and everywhere Adverbial clauses of place normally come afier the main clause You can t camp where/wherever/anywhere you like these days Anywhere everywhere and wherever (but not usually where) can begin a sentence, depending on the emphasis we wish to make Everywhere Jenny goes she s mistaken jor Princess Diana Where generally refers to a definite but unspecified place [> 1.38] The church was built where there had once been a Roman temple Wherever anywhere and everywhere suggest ‘any place’ With a special tram ticket you can travel wherever/anywhere/ everywhere you like in Europe for just over £100 Adverbial clauses of manner As" [> App 25.25] and ‘in the way (that)’ ‘These clauses answer the question How? and can be introduced by the conjunction as Adverbial clauses of manner normally come after the main clause Type this again as I showed you a moment ago (ie in the way | showed you) This fish isn t cooked as I like it (ie in the way | lke it) How and the way can be used colloquially in place of as This steak is cooked just how/the way | like it Clauses of manner can also express comparison when they are introduced by expressions lke (in) the way (in) the way that the way in which (in) the same way (in) the same way as ‘She s behaving (in) the same way her elder sister used to