Changing Simple Sentences into Complex Using Adverbial Clauses [Part 2]

📘 Did You Know:

A simple sentence uses one main clause.
A complex sentence uses a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

(v) Adverb Clause of Condition

A simple sentence may use without, in case of, or with to show a condition.
To make it complex, use if, unless, in case, followed by a subject and verb.
📚 How to Do It:
Use if to show a condition (what will happen if something else happens).
✅ Examples:
Simple: Without help, he cannot win.
Complex: If he does not get help, he cannot win.
Simple: With hard work, you will succeed.
Complex: If you work hard, you will succeed.
Simple: In case of rain, the match will be cancelled.
Complex: If it rains, the match will be cancelled.
🧠 Tip for Students:
Use if to talk about what might happen depending on something else.

Exercise 5: Adverb Phrase of Condition

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of condition into an adverbial clause of condition:
a) Without money, he can't buy the book.
b) In case of rain, the match will be cancelled.
c) Without glasses, she can't read.
d) Unless called, he will not come.
e) Without support, he can't succeed.
f) Without practice, you can't improve.
g) If needed, I will help you.
h) Without food, we will starve.
i) Without warning, the storm came.
j) Without rest, you will feel tired.
k) Without help, he will not finish the work.
l) With more practice, she can improve.
m) Without money, we can't buy the ticket.
n) By following the rules, you will succeed.
o) In case of fire, leave the building quickly.
p) Without his support, I would have failed.
q) With enough time, I can complete the task.
r) By listening carefully, you will understand.
s) Without food, we can't survive.
t) In case of doubt, ask your teacher.

(vi) Adverb Clause of Concession

A simple sentence may use despite, in spite of, or though.
To make it complex, use though, although, even though, followed by a subject and verb.

📚 How to Do It:

Replace the contrast word or phrase with a full clause beginning with though/although.

✅ Examples:

Simple: Despite his illness, he went to school.
Complex: Although he was ill, he went to school.

Simple: In spite of the rain, they played.
Complex: Though it was raining, they played.

Simple: Despite being tired, she cooked dinner.
Complex: Even though she was tired, she cooked dinner.

🧠 Tip for Students:

Use although or though to show contrast (something unexpected happens).

Exercise 8: Adverb Phrase of Concession

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of concession into an adverbial clause of concession:

a) Despite the rain, they played football.
b) In spite of the pain, he smiled.
c) Though tired, she finished the work.
d) Although young, he is very wise.
e) Despite being late, he was allowed in.
f) Though poor, he is honest.
g) Despite the noise, he studied.
h) In spite of her fear, she spoke.
i) Though injured, he played well.
j) In spite of cold weather, they went out.

(vii) Adverbial Clause of Result

A simple sentence may describe a result using phrases like too + adjective + to.
To change it into a complex sentence, use:
"so + adjective + that + subject + cannot / could not

📚 How to Do It:

Identify the result part of the sentence [too + adjective + to + verb].
Add a subordinate clause starting with ""so + adjective + that + subject + cannot / could not " to show the result.

✅ Examples:

Simple: He was too tired to walk.
Complex: He was so tired that he could not walk.

Simple: She spoke too softly to hear.
Complex: She spoke so softly that we could not hear her.

Exercise 7: Adverb Phrase of Result

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of result into an adverbial clause of result:

a) He was too weak to stand.
b) She ran enough fast to win.
c) It was too dark to find the way.
d) The boy was too young to understand.
e) The road was too slippery to drive.
f) He spoke too softly to hear.
g) She was too tired to cook.
h) The box is too heavy to lift it.
i) The film was enough sad for her to cry.
j) It was too hot to go outside.

(viii) Adverbial Clause of Degree

A simple sentence may show how much or to what extent using words like too, so, enough, or very.
To change it into a complex sentence, we use:
“so + adjective + that”

📚 How to Do It:

Replace "too + adjective + to + verb" with "so + adjective + that + subject + cannot + verb."
Replace "adjective + enough to" with "so + adjective + that + subject + can + verb."

✅ Examples:

Simple: The box is too heavy to lift.
Complex: The box is so heavy that I cannot lift it.

Simple: He is rich enough to buy a car.
Complex: He is so rich that he can buy a car.

Simple: The tea was too hot to drink.
Complex: The tea was so hot that we could not drink it.

Exercise 8: Adverb Phrase of Degree

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of degree into an adverbial clause of degree:

a) The soup is too hot to eat.
b) The hill is too steep to climb.
c) He is tall enough to touch the ceiling.
d) The bag is too heavy to carry.
e) The music is loud enough to hear from far.
f) The question is too hard to answer.
g) She is kind enough to help anyone.
h) The water is too cold to swim.
i) The road is wide enough for two cars.
j) He is strong enough to lift the table.

(ix) Adverbial Clause of Comparison

A simple sentence may contain a comparison using adjectives/adverbs in phrases like as…as, than, or modifiers like more, less, etc.
To form a complex sentence, we introduce a comparison clause using as…as, than, or the…that construction.

📚 How to Do It:

Identify the comparison in the simple sentence (e.g., faster than, as tall as).
Use "as...as" or "than" followed by a subject + verb to complete the clause.

✅ Examples:

Simple: She runs faster than me.
Complex: She runs faster than I do.

Simple: He is as strong as a lion.
Complex: He is as strong as a lion is.

Simple: This bag is heavier than that one.
Complex: This bag is heavier than that one is.

Exercise 9: Adverb Phrase of Comparison

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of comparison into an adverbial clause of comparison:

a) She runs faster than me.
b) He is taller than his brother.
c) This book is more interesting than that one.
d) I write more neatly than before.
e) He sings better than anyone else.
f) This bag is heavier than that one.
g) He arrived earlier than us.
h) She speaks more politely than others.
i) My house is bigger than yours.
j) The exam was easier than expected.

Are You Confused?

May people are confused to dig into the difference between Adverbial Clauses of Degree and Adverbial Clauses of Result, because they can look very similar!

Let’s clarify the distinction clearly:

✅ Adverbial Clause of Degree

🧠 Answers the question: To what extent? or How much?

Usually uses "so…that", "too…to", "enough to", etc.
Focus is on the intensity or degree of something.

🧾 Example:

The tea was so hot that we could not drink it.

→ This shows the degree of heat.

He is so rich that he can buy a car.

→ Focus is on how rich he is (degree), and what that level of richness allows.

✅ Adverbial Clause of Result

🧠 Answers the question: What happened as a result?

Often looks like a "so…that" clause too.
Focus is on the consequence or result of an action or state.

🧾 Example:

She spoke so softly that we could not hear her.

→ This tells us what happened because she spoke softly—this is more about the result than the degree.

🌟 So what’s the difference?

Sentence	Type	Why?
The tea was so hot that we could not drink it.	Degree	Emphasis on how hot (degree of heat).
She spoke so softly that we could not hear her.	Result	Emphasis on what happened as a result of her action.

💡 Conclusion:

If the clause focuses on how much → Adverbial Clause of Degree
If the clause focuses on what happened because of it → Adverbial Clause of Result

⚠️ Note: They often use the same structure ("so…that"), but the focus of the sentence tells you which kind of clause it is.

Exercise in Action [Grades 9 & 10]

Exercise 5: Adverb Phrase of Condition

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of condition into an adverbial clause of condition:

(a) By applying the law properly, we can get rid of terrorism. (Complex)
(b) We can build up developed society by reading books. (Make it complex)
(c) By repeating this activity, they make a poor result. (Complex)
(d) Without learning English, we cannot hope to get any good job. (Complex)
(e) Without the uplift of women, the progress of the nation is not possible (Complex)
(f) We become sick by drinking polluted water. (Complex)

Exercise 6: Adverb Phrase of Concession

Turn the following simple sentences into complex by turning the adverbial phrase of concession into an adverbial clause of concession:

(a) In spite of taking utmost care we cannot avoid indiscipline. (Complex)
(b) In spite of some disadvantages, the necessity of a mobile phone cannot be denied. (Complex)
(c) In spite of being old, he carried a load of two baskets. (Complex)
(d) In spite of knowing their helpless conditions, they make their children farmers. (Make it complex)
(e) In spite of knowing their helpless conditions, they make their children farmer. (Complex)
(f) He can't earn well in spite of working hard. (Complex)
(g) In spite of taking utmost care we cannot avoid indiscipline (complex)
(h) With all his wealth, he is unhappy. (Complex).

Exercise 2 [Grades 9 & 10]

Turn the following simple sentences into complex:

By repeating this activity, they make a poor result. (Complex)
By reading good books, we can enrich our mind. (Complex)
By working hard, we can improve our lot. (Complex)
By paying taxes he obeys the law. (Complex)
By applying the laws properly, we can get rid of terrorism. (Complex)
By applying the law properly, we can get rid of it. (Complex)
By working hard, we can improve our lot. (Complex)
We can build up a developed society by reading books. (Complex)
Without following this process, you cannot bring a good result in an examination. (Complex)
Without computer, we cannot imagine our modern life. (Complex)
Many educational institutions are greatly benefited through the use of internet. (Complex)
Earning money in this way, he thus maintained his family. (Complex)
It helps the customers to buy or choose anything without going to market. (Complex)
It helps us to know about the world. (Complex)
He was too tired to walk. (Complex)