I

1. Many sentences, especially in written language, are

complex.
2. 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.
3. There is always one independent (or “main”) clause and
one or more dependent (or “subordinate”) elements.
4. If removed from a sentence, a main clause can often
stand on its own.
1. by joining subordinate clauses to the
main clause with conjunctions.
Example,
a. The alarm was raised (main clause) as soon
as the fire was discovered. (subordinate
clause)

b. If you are not good at figures,

(subordinate clause) it is pointless to apply
for a job in a bank. (main clause)
2. by using infinitive or participle constructions.
These are non-finite 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 subordinated to
the main clause. Example,
a. To get into university you have to pass a
number of examinations.
(= If you want to get into university…)

b. Seeing the door open, the stranger 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]

[when individual countries protect their own
markets] [by imposing duties on imported goods]
[to encourage their own industries].
 The subject of the main clause must be replaced
by a pronoun in a subordinate clause if a reference
is made to it. Example,

The racing car went out of control before it hit

the barrier.
 Co-ordinate and subordinate clauses can combine
in one sentence. Example,

The racing car went out of control and hit the

barrier several times before it came to a stop on
a grassy bank.
1. NOUN CLAUSES

2. ADJECTIVAL (RELATIVE) CLAUSES

3. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES

Examples,
 NOUN CLAUSES

He told me that the match had been cancelled.

How to identify a Noun clause?

- He told me about the cancellation of the match.
- He told me that the match had been cancelled.
- Cancellation is a noun

- That the match had been cancelled is a clause

(it has a finite verb).
The clause is doing the same work as the noun, so
it is called a noun clause. Like any noun, a noun
clause can be the subject or (far more usually)
object of a verb; or the complement of the verb
be or some of the verbs related to be, such as
seem, and appear:
Examples:

- I know that the match will be cancelled. (object)

- That the match will be cancelled is now certain.

(subject of be)
 RELATIVE CLAUSES

- Crowded holiday resorts are not very pleasant.

- Holiday resorts which are very crowded are not
very pleasant.

The word crowded in the first sentence is an

adjective; which are crowded is a clause (it has
a finite verb: are). The clause is doing exactly
the same work as an adjective: it is describing
the holiday resorts (or “quantifying” the noun
holiday resorts).
So we call it an adjectival clause, or (more
usually) a relative clause because it “relates” to
the noun, in this case, by means of the word
which. Relative clauses (like adjectives) can
describe persons, things and events.
 ADVERBIAL CLAUSES
- I try hard, but I can never remember people´s
names.
- However hard I try, I can´t remember people´s
names.

Hard is an adverb; however hard I try is an

adverbial (or adverb) clause: it is 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. and
adverbial clauses can be identified in the same
way:
 Time: Tell him as soon as he arrives. (When?)
 Place: You can sit where you like. (Where?)
 Manner: He spoke as if he meant business.
(How?)
 Reason: He went to bed because he felt ill.
(Why?)

Taken from: L. G. Alexander, Longman English Grammar