Grammatical Structure, Writing and Comprehension 6 – SS3 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

A complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses, joined by a subordinating conjunction such as because, when or so. This note also explains what a report is and how to write one, and defines silent reading and topical materials for comprehension.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• define a complex sentence and pick out its independent and dependent clauses;
• join two simple sentences with a subordinating conjunction;
• punctuate a complex sentence correctly when the subordinate clause comes first;
• state what a report is and mention its uses;
• define silent reading and state its importance;
• give examples of topical materials for reading.

What is a complex sentence?

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Example: If you aspire to grow in life, then change your mindset.

Compound and complex sentences

In our class on conjunction, we spoke about the two major types of conjunction: coordinating and subordinating conjunctions.

• Compound sentences are usually formed by combining two or more simple sentences (independent/main clauses) with coordinators such as and, or, or but.
• Complex sentences, on the other hand, are commonly formed by linking two simple sentences (independent/main clauses) with subordinating conjunctions such as when, because, that, so, which, etc.

How are complex sentences formed?

See these examples:

1. Simbi will prepare the food. + It is Simbi’s turn. = Simbi will prepare the food because it is her turn.
2. They fought yesterday. + I saw them then. = I saw them when they fought yesterday.
3. We left early. + We wanted to get there on time. = We left early so we could get there on time.

Each resulting sentence has two verbs or verb phrases:

1. Simbi will prepare the food because it is her turn. (will prepare and is)
2. I saw them when they fought. (saw and fought)
3. We left early so we could get there on time. (left and could get)

Whenever you see a sentence like that, it has two clauses. You recognise how many clauses a sentence has by counting the verbs or verb phrases in it.

What are independent and dependent clauses?

When you join clauses with a subordinating conjunction (or simply subordinator), you make one clause depend (or rest) on the other. The dependent clause cannot stand alone unless it rests on that other clause.

In English, the clause that can stand alone is called the independent (or main) clause. The clause that cannot stand alone is called the dependent (or subordinate) clause.

Now let us go back to our examples and separate the independent clauses from the dependent clauses:

1. Simbi will prepare the food / because it is her turn.
2. I saw them / when they fought yesterday.
3. We left early / so we could get there on time.

The first part of each sentence, before the slash, is the main (independent) clause. The bold part, after the slash, is the subordinate (dependent) clause. We can tell because each bold clause begins with a subordinator: because, when and so.

Where can the subordinate clause go?

Both types of clause can come at the beginning or at the end of the sentence. This means the subordinate clause can come first:

1. Because it is her turn, Simbi will prepare the food.
2. When they fought yesterday, I saw them.
3. So we could get there on time, we left early.

Put a comma after the subordinate clause when it comes before the main clause, as in these examples.

If we have enough time in a future class, I will give some other points to note about complex sentences, and the reasons for placing the subordinate or the main clause first.

What is a report?

A report is a document that is presented in an organised manner, with the aim of passing information, checking data and providing recommendations.

Reports are often used to communicate findings and outcomes to a specific audience, such as the important people in a company, who are also called stakeholders, or managers.

Reports can differ in many ways, such as length and format, but they usually contain a clear introduction, body and conclusion.

What is report writing?

Report writing is the process of creating a document that presents information in a clear and concise manner.

Report writing can serve various purposes, such as providing updates on a project, analysing data, presenting findings or providing suggestions.

To write a report, there are rules to follow. Just as you are expected to obey the rules of the school, obeying the rules of report writing helps you to make a good report.

This means that report writing requires careful planning, gathering information, explaining what you found and organising the information.

Before concluding your report, make sure it is accurate and objective, and that it has a clear introduction, body and conclusion.

What is comprehension and silent reading?

Comprehension is the ability to understand something.

Silent reading is reading alone and silently, without speaking the words being read. Reading silently is considered remarkable.

Topical materials for reading are materials that deal with a topic for discussion.

Importance of silent reading

1. It improves students’ understanding.
2. It helps them concentrate on reading rather than pronunciation.
3. It helps children to read faster and improve learning.
4. It helps to develop reading skills.
5. It helps them concentrate on understanding the content.
6. It improves writing skills.
7. It builds vocabulary.

Examples of topical materials

1. Election
2. Education
3. Examination malpractice

Evaluation

Grammatical structure

1. Write a paragraph on any topic of your choice and underline at least five complex sentences in it.
2. Look for an essay in your English Language past questions and write out 10 complex sentences from the essay.

Writing

• Mention two important uses of a report.

Comprehension

1. What is silent reading?
2. State three importance of silent reading.
3. What are topical materials? Give two examples.

Assignment

Reading assignment

• Collect a copy of the report on your last school PTA meeting.

Weekend assignment

• Identify three people who are likely to require a report.