Complex Sentences

A complex sentence consists of a principal clause and one or more subordinate clauses

 More and more, she became convinced that some misfortune had overtaken Paul. Syndetical(ly) All that he had sought for and achieved seemed suddenly to have no meaning.

Asyndetical(ly) I wish you had come earlier.

Circumstances try the metal a man is really made of.

 His steps quickened as he set out for the hotel.

As the family had no visitors that day, its four members dined alone together. It was dull and dreary enough, when the long summer evening closed in, on that Saturday night.

 They were all obstinately of opinion that the poor girl had stolen the moonstone, and that she had destroyed herself in terror of being found out. I think I have noticed that they have an inconsistent way of speaking about her, as if she had made some great self-interested success in marrying Mr. Gowan...

Subject Clause What I want to do is to save us both. It was always possible that they might encounter some one.

Subject Clause
a)It was always possible that they might encounter some one.

b)What was done could not be undone.

c)It is a pity her brother should be quite a stranger to her.

Predicative Clause
a) Our attitude simply is that facts are facts. b)The question was how was the matter to be kept quiet.

c)Another thing... was they had nurse Andrews staying on with them that week.

Object Clause
He said there was nothing much the matter with me. I formed the habit of calling in on him in the evening to discuss what I had heard. I ventured on asking why he was in such a hurry to get back to town.

Object Clause Mr. Bruff folded up the will, and then looked my way apparently wondering whether I did or did not mean to leave him alone with my aunt. Soames averted his eyes and became conscious that Winifred and he were alone.

Object Clause They were not sure what the morrow would bring forth. The poor girl is anxious that you should be at her wedding. She was aware that someone else was there.

Object Clause
I am always ready to listen to whatever you may wish to disclose. I insist upon it that you tell me what you mean.

Attribute Clause
The facts those men were so eager to know had been visible, tangible, open to the senses. (R) The fortunate fact that the rectors letter did not require an immediate answer would give him time to consider. (A)

Attributive Cause
Defining / Restrictive Non-defining/ Non-restrictive

All that could be done had been done.

Mr. Prusty, who kept no assistant, slowly got off his stool

Attribute Appositive Clause

He stopped in the hope that she would speak. There was no reason why she should not read it (the book).

Adverbial Clause
He stopped as Kravat came rushing out. He was getting on better than hed expected.

Frank... returned to the auction room as fast as his legs would carry him.

AM of Time
...we must strike while the irons hot. I shall hope to visit you whenever I happen to be in London. But as soon as I saw Susan I stopped noticing my surroundings.

AM of Place
...I am quite comfortable where I am. I looked where she pointed.

AM of Cause
As he had a liking for the spot, he seldom let a week pass without paying it a visit. Letters were infrequent in his world and not very welcome because more often than not they contained bad news

AM of Purpose
Wounds sometimes must be opened in order that they may be healed.
I crouched against the wall of the gallery so that I should not be seen.

AM of Condition
If he is not here by the end of the week, I shall go after him.

I do not wish you to be my wife unless you are bound to me by love.

AM of Condition
... my father, just at the last, consented to let him teach you, on condition that he never attempted to see your mother.
I will do anything you wish, my brother, provided it lies in my power.

AM of Concession
I enjoyed that day, though we travelled slowly, though it was cold, though it rained. Although the young mans eyes remained upon him, he did not speak...

AM of Concession
Troubled as he was, he never exposed his difficulties to her.

However much we may differ on the question of metaphysics, I am convinced of your absolute integrity.

AM of Result
Darkness had fallen and a keen blizzard was blowing, so that the streets were nearly deserted. He is so weak physically that he can hardly move.

AM of Manner
...she did exactly as he told her.

Joe left the house as he had entered it...

AM of Comparison
Mr. Direcks broken Wrist healed sooner than he desired. We were going up the road as fast as we could.

He was white and jaded, as if he had not slept for many nights.

Polysemantic Conjunctions
As he spoke there was a sharp ring at the bell.

As the morning was fine, and he had an hour on his hands, he crossed the river by the ferry, and strolled along a footpath through some meadows.

Polysemantic Conjunctions
The dog did as he was ordered. She saw now that she did not love him as some women love their husbands.

THE COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE

There was a song in every heart; and if the heart was young the music issued at the lips.

PARENTHETICAL CLAUSES
You are, I am afraid, far more urgently in need of medical advice than your daughter.

The next and last step in the investigation brought matters, as they say, to a crisis.
Her singing is something quite exceptional, I think.

Thank you for attention!