1. Types of clause
A clause can be defined as a group of words containing a verb.
There are two types of clause: main (or
independent) and subordinate (or dependent). The following sentence contains one clause and is referred to as a
simple sentence:
e.g. University students should make good use of their time.
If you combine two (or more) main clauses, you create a compound sentence.
e.g.
University students should make good use of their time and
equip themselves for the future.
You can check if these clauses are main clauses by checking whether the subject and clause make a complete and sensible sentence.
'University students should make good use of their time' is a complete sentence, and so is
'University students should equip themselves for the future', therefore these are both main clauses.
If you combine one (or more) main clause with one (or more)
subordinate clause, you create a complex
sentence:
e.g. University students should make good use of their time because
not every teenager has this opportunity.
You can check if a clause is a subordinate clause because it will not make a
complete and sensible sentence when combined with the subject, for example,
'University students not every teenager has this opportunity.' is not sensible,
as it has two main subjects, and English sentences usually have only one.
2. Coordination and subordination
You can say that two clauses have a relationship of coordination if they are both independent and equally
important. Words like and, but and or are commonly used to join them.
For example:
Chris majors in Accountancy and
is a member of the university football team.
Sam wanted to study law but
was rejected by the university he applied to.
You can register in person at the counter or
you can do so on-line.
You can say that two clauses have a relationship of subordination if one is a main clause and the other a
subordinate clause. The subordinate clause, which cannot stand on its own, gives information about the main
clause. Words like because, if, that and some wh-words are commonly used to join them. Subordinate clauses
can come before, after, or inside the main clause.
For example:
Many students opt for practical subjects at university because
they believe that these courses offer better
career prospects.
If you want to improve your proficiency in English,
you can visit the CILL when you are free.
Students who have
overseas study experience are usually more
mature
because they have learnt to become independent and open-minded.
1. The writer of the book thinks that people on welfare are sometimes
stigmatised in society.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
1. The writer of the book thinks that people on welfare are sometimes
stigmatised in society.
Answer: This is a complex sentence as the clause after 'that' is a subordinate clause.The subordinating word is 'that'. There are no coordinating words.
2. Many citizens are dissatisfied with the government as they are experiencing
unprecedented economic
difficulties.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
2. Many citizens are dissatisfied with the government as they are experiencing
unprecedented economic
difficulties.
Answer: This is a complex sentence as the clause after 'as' is a subordinate clause ('as' means 'because' in this sentence). The subordinating word is 'as'. There are no coordinating words.
3. University chiefs these days spend much of their time on fund-raising and publicity activities.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
3. University chiefs these days spend much of their time on fund-raising and publicity activities.
Answer: This is a simple sentence as it only has one clause. There are no coordinating or subordinating words. The 'and' does not coordinate clauses, it lists two noun phrases: 'fund-raising' and ' publicity activities'.
4. Students need good time management at university since they have numerous classes to attend and
extra-curricular activities to take part in.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
4. Students need good time management at university since they have numerous classes to attend and
extra-curricular activities to take part in.
Answer: This is a complex sentence as the clause after 'since' is a subordinate clause.The subordinating word is 'since'. There are no coordinating words.
5. I queued for over an hour at the counter but still could not get a ticket.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
5. I queued for over an hour at the counter but still could not get a ticket.
Answer: This is a compound sentence as the clause after 'but' is a main clause with an omitted, but understood, subject pronoun 'I'. This is omitted because it is a repeat of the subject of the first clause.The coordinating word is 'but'. There are no subordinating words.
6. The findings clearly indicate that more (not less) money should be allocated to the tertiary education
sector if Hong Kong is to remain a truly international city.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
6. The findings clearly indicate that more (not less) money should be allocated to the tertiary education
sector if Hong Kong is to remain a truly international city.
Answer: This is a complex sentence as the clause after 'that' is a subordinate clause.The subordinating words are 'that' and 'if'. There are no coordinating words.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
7. John passed but Ken failed.
Answer: This is a compound sentence as the clause after 'but' is a main clause.The coordinating word is 'but'. There are no subordinating words.
8. The student representatives will meet the university management next week.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
8. The student representatives will meet the university management next week.
Answer: This is a simple sentence as there is only one clause.There are no coordinating or subordinating words.
9. Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping the poor and needy, died a few years ago.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
9. Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping the poor and needy, died a few years ago.
Answer: This is a complex sentence as it has a main clause and a subordinate one. As the clause after 'who' is a relative clause, and relative clauses cannot stand alone, it is therefore a subordinate clause. The 'and' does not coordinate clauses, it lists two nouns: 'poor' and 'needy'. The subordinating word is 'who'. There are no coordinating words.
10. I finished the assignment early and took time to visit my grandparents in Tuen Mun.
Is it a simple, compound or complex sentence, and what are the coordinating and/or subordinating words?
Question:
10. I finished the assignment early and took time to visit my grandparents in Tuen Mun.
Answer: This is a compound sentence as the clause after 'and' is a main clause with an omitted, but understood, subject pronoun 'I'. This is omitted because it is a repeat of the subject of the first clause.The coordinating word is 'and'. There are no subordinating words.
