TEMA 15 THE COMPLEX SENTENCES
SENTENCE TYPE
A compound sentence is composed of two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence is
composed of one independent clause and at least one dependent clauses.
S-V (CC) S-V
S-V (SC) S-V
• Subordinate ideas
• SV + That + SV
■He decided that we should meet for lunch. (S V [SV] obj )
■I suggest that you work on this project (I suggest you should…)
■They didn’t like it that we were included in the list.
Decide / Suggest / Tell / Think, Believe, Feel / Doubt / Realize
•NOT try, want, intend and order.
• [That + SV] + V
■Extremely formal construction “That the exam was easy is evident” (It
is evident that the exam was easy)
• Verbal + Verbal (Catenative structures)
• Infinitive phrases: V + to V (COMPARE…)
■S. Aux V (infinitive) “I can play…”
■SV to V (infinitive phrase) “I play to win”
• Gerund: V + Ving
■Ving (present participle) adj
■Ving (Gerund) noun
*EXCEPTION: Odd to go / dare and need
- Infinitive structure:
• V + to V
Notice the difference from auxiliary verbs. Implied subject the same as the
subject of the main verb.
■“They decide to stop the car”
• V + Obj to V
