Unit 63: COMPLEX SENTENCE TYPES

Simple sentence types are in Unit 62. This unit shows you some other types of sentence. It also tells you the most useful verbs which you can use with each type.

NOTICE:
To understand NOUN PHRASES, look at Unit 45.
To learn about VERB FORMS, look at Unit 14.

1

VERB + NOUN PHASE + BASE FORM OF VERB

[V]: VERB, [N]: NOUN PHRASE, [BF]: BASE FORM OF VERB

They [V] let [N] the children [BF] leave early.

Just [V] look at [N] him [BF] run!

In this type, you can also use:
feel, hear, help, make, notice, see, watch.

2

VERB + NOUN PHRASE + to BASE FORM OF VERB

[V]: VERB, [N]: NOUN PHRASE, [BF]: to BASE FORM OF VERB

Everybody [V] expects [N] Argentina [BF] to win.

The boss [V] wants [N] us [BF] to work late today.

In this type, you can also use:
allow, ask, forbid, get, help, leave, prefer, would like, would love.

3

VERB + NOUN PHRASE + -ing FORM OF VERB

[V]: VERB, [N]: NOUN PHRASE, [I]: -ing FORM OF VERB

I finally [V] got [N] the car [I] working.

They [V] saw [N] him [I] standing there.

In this type, you can also use:
feel, find, hate, have, hear, keep, leave, like, listen to, look at, love, notice, remember, see, stop, watch.

4

VERB + NOUN PHRASE + PAST PARTICIPLE

[V]: VERB, [N]: NOUN PHRASE, [PP]: PAST PARTICIPLE

I [V] had [N] my hair [PP] done.
(Somebody did it for me.)

We [V] got [N] the TV [PP] fixed.
(Somebody fixed it for us.)

In this type, you can also use:
find, keep, leave, see, want.

5

VERB + that CLAUSE

[V]: VERB + [CL]: that CLAUSE

I [V] know [CL] that you have had many problems lately.

They [V] said [CL] that the weather would be fine.

I [V] suggest [CL] that you see a doctor.

she [V] thinks [CL] that Canada will win the World Cup.

Also tell + noun phrase + that clause:
He told the students that they could go home.

NOTICE: We usually leave out that in speaking. This does not change the meaning.
They said that the weather would be fine and
They said the weather would be fine
have the same meaning.

6

VERB + ADJECTIVE + that CLAUSE

[V]: VERB + [A]: ADJECTIVE + [CL]: that CLAUSE

They [V] were [A] surprised [CL] that I had got the job.

She [V] was [A] sure [CL] that he hadn't forgotten..

You can use most adjectives which show what you feel and think in this way. For example, angry, happy, hurt, pleased.

NOTICE: We usually leave out that in speaking (the same as in 5 above).

7

If OR Whether CLAUSE

I'm not sure if it will be ready on time.
I don't know whether he has passed the exam.
She wondered if she should tell him.

You can also use ask, discuss, find out, forget, not remember, not say in the same type of sentence.
For clauses after question words, look at Unit 13.

8

VERB TENSE IN THE CLAUSE

If the verb of the sentence is past tense, the verb in the clause is also past tense. For example:

He agreed that it was not a good idea. NOT is

They said the weather would be fine. NOT will be fine

I didn't know whether he had passed the exam. NOT has passed


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Exercise 63.1
Exercise 63.2
Exercise 63.3