COMPREHENSION

Structure: Complex sentences: analysis of complex sentences

The complex sentence is a combination of the main clause and one or more subordinate  caluse(s)

Ex: I prayed before I left

She came as soon as she heard

 

The analysis of a complex sentence

  • Find out the principal clause
  • Find out the subordinate clause
  • Identify each sub – clause as noun clause, adjective clause and adverb clause
  • Explain how each sub-clause is related to the principal clause
  • And finally analyse both the principle and sub-clause as you analyse a simple sentence

 

Examples:

Bukola told me that she would marry me

  1. Bukola told me – main clause
  2. That she would marry me – noun clause, object of the verb “told”

 

When I received my salary I went to Lagos where the zoo was situated.

  1. I went to Lagos – main clause
  2. When I received my salary – adverb clause of time modifying the verb “went”.
  3. Where the zoo was situated – adjectival clause, qualify the noun ‘Lagos’

I believed that she had married the person whom she had loved

  1. I believed – main clause
  2. That she had married the person – noun clause object of the verb “believed”
  3. Whom she had loved – adjectival clause qualify the noun ‘person’

 

THE ANALYSIS OF A COMPLEX SENTENCE

SUBJECT               PREDICAT

THE CLAUSE KIND OF CLAUSE CONNECTIVE SUBJECT WORD + ATTRIBUTE VERB OBJECT + ATTRIBUTE COMPLEMENT ADVERBIAL QUALIFI

CATION

Bukola told me Principal clause That Bukola Told Me
That she would marry me Noun clause object of the verb “told” That She Would marry Me

 

 

I went to Lagos Principal clause I Went To Lagos
When I received my salary Adverbial clause of time modifying the verb “went” When I Received My salary
Where the zoo was situated Adjectival clause of time modifying the verb went Where The zoo Was situated
I believed Principal clause I Believed
That she had married the person Noun clause object of the verb “believed” That She Had married The person
Whom she loved Adjective clause qualifying the noun “person” Whom She Had loved

 

See also

PART OF SPEECH

SUMMARY WRITING

STRESS

ESSAY WRITING

CONSONANT

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