GRADE 9 English SEA TRAVEL – GRAMMAR IN USE:SENTENCES - COMPLEX SENTENCES Notes
English — Grammar in Use: Sentences — Complex Sentences
Topic: Sea travel ⚓️ | Level: Form 2–3 (about 14 years) | Kenya
1. What is a complex sentence?
A complex sentence has one main (independent) clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause. The subordinate clause cannot stand alone. It adds extra information: time, reason, condition, description, or the thing someone says or thinks.
Sea travel example: The ship left the harbour when the tide rose.
2. Parts of a complex sentence
- Main clause (can be a sentence by itself): The captain gave orders.
- Subordinate clause (depends on the main clause): because the storm approached.
Full example: The captain gave orders because the storm approached.
3. Types of subordinate clauses (with sea travel examples)
a) Adverbial clauses
These tell when, why, how, or under what condition. Common connectors: when, while, after, before, because, since, if, unless, although, until, so that.
- Time: When the lighthouse flashed, the crew steered away from the rocks.
- Reason: The boat returned to port because the fog made navigation dangerous.
- Condition: The passengers will disembark if the tide falls.
- Contrast: Although the sea was rough, the ferry continued its route.
b) Relative (adjective) clauses
These describe a noun and often begin with who, which, that, where.
- The captain who knows this route helped the new crew.
- The harbour where we anchored was busy.
- The cargo that arrived yesterday included fish and fruits.
c) Noun clauses
These act like a noun (subject or object). They often begin with that, whether, if, or wh- words.
- I remember that the crew checked the compass.
- Do you know where the ship will dock?
4. Word order and commas
- If the subordinate clause comes before the main clause, put a comma after it:
When the fog lifted, the crew resumed steering.
- If the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, usually no comma is needed:
The crew resumed steering when the fog lifted.
- Relative clauses: use commas for non-defining clauses (extra information) but not for defining clauses (essential information):
The ship, which was new, sailed smoothly. (extra info — commas)
The ship that carried the cargo arrived late. (essential info — no commas)
5. Reducing subordinate clauses (shorter forms)
Sometimes we make relative or adverbial clauses shorter:
- Full: Passengers who were waiting on deck saw dolphins.
Reduced: Passengers waiting on deck saw dolphins. - Full: The ship that was damaged sank.
Reduced: The ship damaged in the storm sank. (use past participle)
Only reduce when the meaning stays clear and the verb form fits.
6. Common connectors and uses (cheat-sheet)
Time
when, while, after, before, since
when, while, after, before, since
Reason
because, since, as
because, since, as
Condition
if, unless, provided (that)
if, unless, provided (that)
Contrast
although, though, even though
although, though, even though
Relative
who, which, that, where
who, which, that, where
7. Practice — Make complex sentences (try these)
- Combine these: The ferry was delayed. The rain was heavy. (use although)
- Combine these: The crew checked the engine. We left the port. (use before)
- Make a sentence: The captain / say / the storm / would hit soon. (use that)
- Choose: Fill the gap with because / when / if: The sailors stayed on deck ___ the wind dropped.
- Reduce the clause: Passengers who were rescued by the lifeboat were safe. (shorten)
- Identify the clause type: The nets that the fishermen mended were strong. (what type?)
Answers (click to view)
- Although the rain was heavy, the ferry was delayed. (Or: The ferry was delayed although the rain was heavy.)
- The crew checked the engine before we left the port.
- The captain said that the storm would hit soon.
- The sailors stayed on deck when the wind dropped. (If = only when/stayed if wind drops; because = stayed due to wind drop. 'When' fits time.)
- Passengers rescued by the lifeboat were safe. (reduced relative clause)
- That is a relative (adjective) clause: "that the fishermen mended" describes "nets".
8. Quick tips for exams and class work
- Always check whether the subordinate clause can stand alone. If it cannot, it is dependent.
- Use commas when the subordinate clause is fronted. Do not use a comma when it is essential and follows the main clause.
- Choose connectors that show the correct relation (time, reason, condition, contrast).
- When asked to reduce clauses, use -ing or past participle forms only if meaning stays the same.
Keep practising with sentences about boats, ports and ships — relating grammar to real topics helps you remember! 🚢🌊