Complex Sentences are sentences that contain one independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause (subordinate clause). Understanding sentence types and their transformations is essential for RBSE Class 10 Board Examination. This topic covers Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences along with their interconversion rules. This topic carries 2 marks in RBSE Class 10 Board Examination.

Contents

1. Introduction to Sentence Types
2. Simple Sentence
3. Compound Sentence
4. Complex Sentence
5. Types of Clauses
6. Subordinating Conjunctions
7. Coordinating Conjunctions
8. Simple to Compound Transformation
9. Simple to Complex Transformation
10. Compound to Complex Transformation
11. Complex to Simple Transformation
12. Complex to Compound Transformation
13. Compound to Simple Transformation
14. How to Identify Sentence Types
15. Quick Reference Chart
16. Practice Exercises (40 Questions)
17. Answer Key with Explanations
18. Board Examination Tips

1. Simple Sentence - One independent clause

2. Compound Sentence - Two or more independent clauses

3. Complex Sentence - One independent clause + One or more dependent clauses

Definition: A Simple Sentence has only one independent clause with a single subject and a single predicate (verb). It expresses one complete thought.

Identification Tip: Count the finite verbs. If there is only ONE finite verb → Simple Sentence

Definition: A Compound Sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) or a semicolon. Both clauses are equal in importance.

Identification Tip: Look for FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) between two complete sentences → Compound Sentence

Definition: A Complex Sentence has one independent clause (main clause) and at least one dependent clause (subordinate clause) joined by a subordinating conjunction.

Identification Tip: Look for subordinating conjunctions (when, because, although, if, that, who, which, etc.) → Complex Sentence

Time: when, whenever, while, as, after, before, since, until, till, as soon as, as long as

Cause/Reason: because, since, as, for

Purpose: so that, in order that, lest

Condition: if, unless, provided that, in case

Contrast: although, though, even though, even if, while, whereas

Result: so...that, such...that

Comparison: than, as...as, as if, as though

Place: where, wherever

Relative: who, whom, whose, which, that

FANBOYS: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Correlative Pairs: either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also, both...and, whether...or

Conjunctive Adverbs: however, therefore, moreover, nevertheless, otherwise, consequently, furthermore

Method: Remove participle/infinitive phrases and create two independent clauses joined by coordinating conjunction.

Key Conversions:

• Working hard / Having worked → and
• Being poor / Despite being → but / yet
• To + verb (purpose) → and
• Besides being → and
• In spite of / Despite → but / yet

Method: Convert phrase into a subordinate clause using appropriate subordinating conjunction.

Key Conversions:

• On + V-ing → When + Subject + Verb
• too...to → so...that...cannot
• In spite of / Despite → Although / Though
• To + V (purpose) → so that + may/might
• Being + Adj → Because + Subject + is/was
• Noun phrase → Noun clause (where, when, why, how)
• Adjective phrase → Adjective clause (who, which, that)

Method: Replace coordinating conjunction with subordinating conjunction. One clause becomes dependent.

Key Conversions:

• and (cause-effect) → because, since, as, when
• or → if...not, unless
• but / yet → although, though, even though
• so → because, since, as
• for → because, since

Method: Convert subordinate clause into a phrase (participle, infinitive, or noun phrase).

Key Conversions:

• When + Subject + V → On + V-ing
• so...that...cannot → too...to
• Although / Though → In spite of / Despite
• Because + clause → V-ing phrase / By + V-ing
• so that + may → to + V (infinitive)
• Adjective clause → Adjective phrase
• If + not → Without + V-ing

Method: Replace subordinating conjunction with coordinating conjunction. Make both clauses independent.

Key Conversions:

• When, As soon as, After → and
• Although, Though → but, yet
• If...not, Unless → or
• Because, Since, As → so, and therefore

Method: Remove conjunction and convert one clause into a phrase.

Step-by-Step Method:

1. Count the finite verbs in the sentence
2. If ONE finite verb → Simple Sentence
3. If TWO or more finite verbs:
   • Look for FANBOYS (coordinating conjunctions) → Compound
   • Look for subordinating conjunctions (when, because, although, if, who, which, that) → Complex

Common Mistake: Don't confuse compound verb (one subject, two verbs) with compound sentence (two independent clauses).

• She sings and dances. → Simple (compound verb)
• She sings, and he dances. → Compound (two clauses)

Q1. The teacher punished the naughty boy.

Q2. He worked hard, and he succeeded in life.

Q3. When the cat is away, the mice play.

Q4. Being tired, he went to sleep early.

Q5. She is poor, but she is honest.

Q6. I know the man who helped you yesterday.

Q7. Work hard, or you will fail.

Q8. He is too weak to walk.

Q9. Although he is rich, he is not happy.

Q10. The sun rose, and the fog disappeared.

Q11. In spite of being poor, he is happy.

Q12. I shall wait here until you return.

Q13. He is too tired to work. (Simple → Complex)

Q14. On seeing the police, the thief ran away. (Simple → Complex)

Q15. In spite of his illness, he attended the meeting. (Simple → Complex)

Q16. He is poor, but he is honest. (Compound → Complex)

Q17. Work hard, or you will fail. (Compound → Complex)

Q18. He worked hard, and he passed. (Compound → Complex)

Q19. I met a very tall boy. (Simple → Complex)

Q20. Work hard to succeed in life. (Simple → Complex)

Q21. I know his address. (Simple → Complex)

Q22. It was raining heavily, so we stayed indoors. (Compound → Complex)

Q23. He is so weak that he cannot walk. (Complex → Simple)

Q24. When the teacher entered, the students stood up. (Complex → Simple)

Q25. Although he is poor, he is honest. (Complex → Simple)

Q26. Because he worked hard, he succeeded. (Complex → Simple)

Q27. He studied hard, and he passed the examination. (Compound → Simple)

Q28. He is poor, but he is happy. (Compound → Simple)

Q29. Work hard so that you may pass. (Complex → Simple)

Q30. If you do not work hard, you will fail. (Complex → Simple)

Q31. I met a boy who was very intelligent. (Complex → Simple)

Q32. He is a doctor, and he is also a writer. (Compound → Simple)

Q33. When the sun set, the stars appeared. (Complex → Compound)

Q34. Although he is old, he is still active. (Complex → Compound)

Q35. Unless you work hard, you will fail. (Complex → Compound)

Q36. Because he was ill, he didn't attend school. (Complex → Compound)

Q37. Working hard, he passed the examination. (Simple → Compound)

Q38. In spite of being poor, she is honest. (Simple → Compound)

Q39. Besides being a teacher, he is a musician. (Simple → Compound)

Q40. If you practice daily, you will improve. (Complex → Compound)

🎯 Most Important Points for RBSE Board (2 Marks):

1. too...to ↔ so...that...cannot - Most frequently asked!
2. Although/Though ↔ but/yet ↔ In spite of/Despite
3. If not / Unless ↔ or ↔ Without + V-ing
4. On + V-ing ↔ When + clause
5. Being + Adj ↔ Because + clause ↔ and (cause-effect)

⚡ Quick Problem-Solving Strategy:

1. Identify the current sentence type first
2. Find the key element (conjunction or phrase)
3. Apply the appropriate conversion formula
4. Check that meaning remains unchanged

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid:

• Don't confuse compound verb (She sings and dances) with compound sentence
• Participles (V-ing, V3) are NOT finite verbs
• Infinitives (to + V) are NOT finite verbs
• Always maintain the same meaning after transformation

RBSE Class 10 English Grammar - Complex Sentences Complete Guide

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