WEB 10302 Fundamental English

Basic Sentence Structures

Exercises
A. Identify the following sentences as simple (S), compound (C), or complex (X).
1.

The writer of the book thinks that people on welfare are sometimes treated like
outcasts in society.

2.

Many citizens are dissatisfied with the government as they are experiencing
unprecedented economic difficulties.

3.

University chiefs these days spend much of their time on 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.

5.

I queued for over an hour at the counter, but still could not get a ticket.

6.

The findings clearly indicate that more money should be allocated to the tertiary
education sector if Malaysia is to remain a truly educational hub.

7.

Johan passed but Ken failed.

8.

The student representatives will meet the university management next week.

9.

Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to helping the poor and needy, died a few years
ago.

10.

I finished the assignment early, and took time to visit my grandparents in Tanjung
Sepat.

11.

Sara began planning her summer vacation in December.

12.

Because I left the play early, I missed the surprise ending.

13.

Tasnim was invited to a party, so she wants to buy a new outfit.

14.

After Alison finished playing the video game, she shut down the computer.

15.

Because of rain, the football game was postponed.

16.

For Halloween, each of the children had dressed up as a different Disney character;
however, not one of them had dressed up as Mickey Mouse.

17.

Some of the books in the library will be given to charity.

18.

After the flood, many of the offices needed new carpeting.

19.

The meaning of this poem is difficult to understand.

20.

Malik and his brother went fishing last weekend and caught lots of fish.

KDS/FE/Exercises

WEB 10302 Fundamental English

B. Revise each sentence into a correct compound sentence with a coordinating

conjunction and appropriate punctuation.
1.

In March, Hamid was transferred to a new branch in Kuantan, then he was laid off in
June.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

2.

The CEO received a subscription to his favourite magazine, it arrived in the mail within
two weeks.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

3.

The jury members deliberated for over two months, the judge has asked to meet with
them today.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

4.

We will travel to Perlis this holiday, we will stay home.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

5.

The weather forecaster asked everyone to remain indoors, a storm was heading our
way.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

6.

My sister has over two thousand old record albums, she has very little storage space
left.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

7.

The sun is 93 million miles away it can still burn a person's skin badly.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

KDS/FE/Exercises

WEB 10302 Fundamental English

8.

My mother was born in India, I had very little trouble learning Tamil.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

9.

The new oil painting is very colourful, it will look good with our bright furnishings.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

10.

Many people believe in the curative powers of this water they have felt relief after
bathing in it.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

C. Each sentence below is followed by a coordinating conjunction. Add an

independent clause that would make sense, keeping in mind the relationship
between clauses.
1.

Samuel seldom thinks for himself, so _____________________________________.

2.

I dont believe everything I read, for ______________________________________.

3.

My mother follows her horoscope, but ____________________________________.

4.

The media often exaggerates events, and _________________________________.

5.

The teacher is not always right, nor ______________________________________.

6.

I didnt like the first class, yet ___________________________________________.

7.

I can believe everything I hear, or _______________________________________.

8.

I used to think all lawyers were greedy, but ________________________________.

D. Read the simple sentences. Then read the complex sentence (s) and try to guess
what words go in the blank spaces. It is possible to simply use the word and in
many of the blank spaces but you should try to use better words than that.

1. I need to learn English. English is very important. English will help me get a good job. I
want to work in international trade. I'm studying international trade right now.
I need to learn English _________ is very important __________ itll help me get a
good job in international trade ________ I'm studying right now.

KDS/FE/Exercises

WEB 10302 Fundamental English

2. I work in a software company. Im a computer programmer. My work is quite

challenging. Our clients usually want us to write programs in a short period of time.
I work in a software company ______ a computer programmer ______ is quite a
challenging job ______________ our clients usually want us to write programs in a
short period of time.

3. I like watching films. Watching films is my favourite pastime. I like comedy films. I dont
like violent films. I dont like horror films.
Watching films, ___________ comedy, is my favourite pastime __________ I dont
like films with a lot of violence ____ horror.
4. I dont ride my bicycle very often. I take the bus to university. Its faster. I do use my
bicycle on the weekends. At that time I have no classes.
I dont ride my bicycle very often ____________ its faster to take the bus to
university _____ I do use it on the weekends ________ I have no classes.
5. Yes, Malaysians do like growing flowers. Many people live in apartments in cities. Its
not easy to grow flowers in an apartment. Some people have a balcony. People
sometimes grow flowers on their balcony. Retired people sometimes grow flowers on
their balcony.
Yes, Malaysians do like growing flowers ________ _________ many people live
in apartments in cities, its not easy to grow flowers, ____________ people
________ have a balcony, ____________ retired people, sometimes grow flowers
on their balcony.

6. Question: Would you say the place where you live is good for families with children?
Answer: Well, not really, no, because _______________ the apartments are all
modern and clean, there are very few places for children to play outside.

7. Im interested in sport. There are many other things that Im interested in. Im interested
in computers and music.
Im interested in sport _________, ______________, there are many other things
that Im interested in, __________ computers and music.

8. Three years ago, my father gave me some good advice. This advice was very useful. It
saved me from making a very unsuitable career choice.
Three years ago, my father gave me some good advice __________ was very
useful _____________ it saved me from making a very unsuitable career choice.

9. When I was in Form Two, I had a maths teacher. His name was Mr. Lim. He really
changed my life. He inspired me to love mathematics.

KDS/FE/Exercises

WEB 10302 Fundamental English

When I was in Form Two, I had a maths teacher named Mr. Lim ______ really
changed my life ______ inspiring me to love mathematics.

10. To tell you the truth, I don't play much sport. I don't walk much. I drive my car
everywhere. I drive my car to my office. My office is near my home. I sometimes play
table tennis. I'm quite good at table tennis. I know more exercise would give me more
energy. I just don't seem to find the time for exercise. I'm too busy with my work.
To tell you the truth, I don't play much sport _____ do I walk much _________ I
drive my car everywhere, ______ to my office, ________ is near my home
__________ I sometimes play table tennis, _________ I'm quite good at. I know I'd
have more energy _____ I did more exercise ______ I just don't seem to find the
time for exercise__________ I'm too busy with my work.

E. Complete the following complex sentences.

1. I dont like being wrong because ___________________________________________.
2. I dont mind criticism unless _______________________________________________.
3. Joe gets defensive whenever ______________________________________________.
4. It is better to stay calm since ______________________________________________.
5. I better tell you whats wrong before _________________________________________.

F. Combine the following sentences into complex sentences using subordinating

conjunctions.
Example:
Simple sentences: -> I obtained a credit card. I began spending money recklessly.
Complex Sentence: -> When I obtained a credit card, I began spending money recklessly.

1. The teacher announced the quiz. The class groaned.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. Salleh could not fit any more groceries into his cart. He decided to go to the checkout
counter.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Your car is out of commission. You should take it to the workshop.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

KDS/FE/Exercises

WEB 10302 Fundamental English

4. I finished typing the paper. I proofread it carefully.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. We owned four cats and a rabbit. No one would rent us an apartment.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

G. Rewrite the following sentences using subordinating conjunctions rather than

coordinating conjunctions.
Example:
Sentence: -> The hair dryer was not working right, so I returned it to the store.
Rewritten sentence: -> Because the hair dryer was not working right, I returned it to
the store.

1. Ruth turned on the large window fan, but the room remained hot.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. The plumber repaired the hot water heater, so we can take showers again.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. I washed the sheets and towels, and I scrubbed the bathroom floor.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
4. You should go to a doctor, for your chest cold may get worse.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
5. The fish tank broke, and the guppies were flopping all over the carpet.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

KDS/FE/Exercises