How to Make a Compound Sentence Simple

📘 Did You Know:

  • A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (like and, but, or). 
  • A simple sentence has only one main clause.

🔄 How to Change a Compound Sentence into Simple 

We can change compound sentences into simple sentences in four different ways: 

  1. By using participles (V+ing / V+ed forms),
  2. By using gerunds (V+ing),
  3. By using infinitives (to + verb),
  4. By using phrases instead of full clauses.

Compound Sentences with ‘but’ → (Simple using “In spite of + gerund”)

1. 

  • Compound: He was very poor but honest. 
  • Simple: In spite of being very poor, he was honest.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “In spite of + verb + ing” to show contrast (In spite of being very poor).

2. 

  • Compound: He caught the thief but didn’t punish him. 
  • Simple: In spite of catching the thief, he didn’t punish him.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “In spite of + verb + ing” to show contrast (In spite of catching the thief).

3. 

  • Compound: He is old but strong.
  • Simple: In spite of being old, he is strong.

4. 

  • Compound: She was tired but continued her work.
  • Simple: In spite of being tired, she continued her work.

5. 

  • Compound: He studied hard but failed.
  • Simple: In spite of studying hard, he failed.

6. 

  • Compound: They are poor but happy.
  • Simple: In spite of being poor, they are happy.

7. 

  • Compound: She was ill but attended the class.
  • Simple: In spite of being ill, she attended the class.

8. 

  • Compound: He ran fast but missed the train.
  • Simple: In spite of running fast, he missed the train.

9. 

  • Compound: It was raining but they played outside.
  • Simple: In spite of raining, they played outside.

10. 

  • Compound: He was injured but played the match.
  • Simple: In spite of being injured, he played the match.

11. 

  • Compound: She worked hard but did not succeed.
  • Simple: In spite of working hard, she did not succeed.

12. 

  • Compound: The movie was long but interesting.
  • Simple: In spite of being long, the movie was interesting.

Exercise for Practice

🔁 Transform into simple sentences using “In spite of + verb+ing”

  1. He is rich but unhappy.
  2. She was tired but finished the work.
  3. It was raining but they played football.
  4. He was ill but went to school.
  5. They tried hard but failed.
  6. She is weak but intelligent.
  7. He was angry but said nothing.
  8. The old man is poor but honest.
  9. He studied hard but did not pass.
  10. The food was spicy but tasty.

Compound Sentences with ‘or’ →  (Simple using “Without + gerund”)

1.

  • Compound: Use it or you cannot keep pace with the modern world.
  • Simple: Without using it, you cannot keep pace with the modern world.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “Without + verb + ing” to express the condition or consequence. (Without using it).

2. 

  • Compound: Read attentively or you will fail in the exam. 
  • Simple: Without reading attentively, you will fail in the exam.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “Without + verb + ing” to express the condition or consequence. (Without reading attentively)

3. 

  • Compound: Follow the rules or you will be punished.
  • Simple: Without following the rules, you will be punished.

4. 

  • Compound: Work hard or you will fail.
  • Simple: Without working hard, you will fail.

5. 

  • Compound: Hurry up or you will miss the bus.
  • Simple: Without hurrying up, you will miss the bus.

6. 

  • Compound: Save money or you will face trouble.
  • Simple: Without saving money, you will face trouble.

7. 

  • Compound: Wear a helmet or you may get hurt.
  • Simple: Without wearing a helmet, you may get hurt.

8. 

  • Compound: Speak the truth or nobody will trust you.
  • Simple: Without speaking the truth, nobody will trust you.

9. 

  • Compound: Practice daily or you will not improve.
  • Simple: Without practicing daily, you will not improve.

10. 

  • Compound: Take your medicine or you won’t get better.
  • Simple: Without taking your medicine, you won’t get better.

Exercise for Practice

🔁 Transform into simple sentences using “Without + verb+ing”

  1. Obey your parents or you will be punished.
  2. Work hard or you will not pass.
  3. Come early or you will miss the bus.
  4. Exercise daily or you will gain weight.
  5. Study properly or you will fail the test.
  6. Save water or you will suffer later.
  7. Tell the truth or you will be caught.
  8. Pay attention or you will not understand.
  9. Act wisely or you may get into trouble.
  10. Wear warm clothes or you will catch a cold.

Compound Sentences with ‘and’ → (Simple using present participle phrases)

1. 

  • Compound: Scientists spent many years and worked hard to invent television.
  • Simple: Spending many years and working hard, scientists invented television.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “verb + ing” (present participle) to show that the actions are connected. (Spending many years and working hard).

2.

  • Compound: He lay down on the ground and feigned death.
  • Simple: Lying down on the ground, he feigned death.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “verb + ing” (present participle) to show that the actions are connected. (lying down).

3. 

  • Compound: The bear went away, and he escaped himself.
  • Simple: The bear going away, he escaped.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “verb + ing” (present participle) to show that the actions are connected. (the bear going away).

4. 

  • Compound: He came to a house and asked for something to eat. 
  • Simple: Coming to a house, he asked for something to eat.

👉 How to do it:

  • The first clause is changed into “verb + ing” (present participle) to show that the actions are connected. (coming to a house).

5. 

  • Compound: He opened the door and entered the room.
  • Simple: Opening the door, he entered the room.

6. 

  • Compound: She stood up and answered the question.
  • Simple: Standing up, she answered the question.

7. 

  • Compound: The boy took a stick and hit the dog.
  • Simple: Taking a stick, the boy hit the dog.

8. 

  • Compound: They heard the news and rushed to the spot.
  • Simple: Hearing the news, they rushed to the spot.

9. 

  • Compound: She woke up and started cooking.
  • Simple: Waking up, she started cooking.

10. 

  • Compound: The players practiced well and won the match.
  • Simple: Practicing well, the players won the match.

Exercise for Practice

🔁 Transform into simple sentences using present participles (verb+ing)

  1. He got up and went to school.
  2. She opened the book and began to read.
  3. The dog barked and chased the cat.
  4. The man entered the shop and bought a pen.
  5. The children took a bath and went to bed.
  6. He finished his meal and left the room.
  7. The girl sang a song and won a prize.
  8. He climbed the tree and picked the fruit.
  9. They completed the work and submitted it.
  10. She washed the clothes and hung them to dry.

Exercise in Action [Grade 9 & 10]

Transform the following sentences as directed in brackets. Also explain how to make such sentences simple.

1. Compound Sentences with ‘but’

  1. He was very poor but honest. (Simple) 
  2. He caught the thief but didn’t punish him. (Simple)
  3. It was a beautiful place but there were a lot a problems (Simple)
  4. He was very poor but honest. (Simple) 
  5. He caught the thief but didn’t punish him. (Simple)
  6. It gives pleasure but we cannot get freedom to use it. (Simple)
  7. The river destroys the houses of men but it is still very useful to us. (Simple)
  8. Mr. Rahim is not only punctual but also sincere. (Simple)

2. Compound Sentences with ‘or’

  1. Use it or you cannot keep pace with the modern world. (Simple)
  2. Read attentively or you will fail in the exam.  (Simple)
  3. Use it or you cannot keep pace with the modern world. (Simple)
  4. Read attentively or you will fail in the exam.  (Simple)

3. Compound Sentences with ‘and’

  1. He came to a house and asked for something to eat. (Simple)
  2. Scientists spent many years and worked hard to invent television. (Simple)
  3. He lay down on the ground and feigned death. (Simple)
  4. So, he collected his things and went to live by himself. (Simple)
  5. They fought bravely and snatched the red sun of independence. (Simple)
  6. He came to a house and asked for something to eat. (Simple)
  7. A man has an Internet connection and gets a link soon according to his expectation. (Simple) 
  8. In youth mind is soft and it can be shaped easily. (Simple)
  9. There is class distinction in a train and people can buy tickets of various classes. (Simple)
  10. A man has an internet connection and gets a link soon. (Simple)
  11. The bear went away, and he escaped himself. (Simple)