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
- Bukola told me – main clause
- 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.
- I went to Lagos – main clause
- When I received my salary – adverb clause of time modifying the verb “went”.
- Where the zoo was situated – adjectival clause, qualify the noun ‘Lagos’
I believed that she had married the person whom she had loved
- I believed – main clause
- That she had married the person – noun clause object of the verb “believed”
- 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