Complex sentences have a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses or phrases. We can link the clauses using linking words, for example:
Purpose - So (that): The police locked the door so that no-one could get in.
Infinitive of purpose: Jack went to England to study engineering.
In order to, so as to: Scientists used only local materials, in order to save money. The soldiers moved at night, so as not to alarm the villagers.
Reason - As and since have the meaning of because and can begin a sentence: As/since it was late, we decided to go home.
In formal written language we can use for to mean because, but it cannot begin a sentence: Peter has given up sailing, for he doesn't have the time.
Because of, on account of, due to and owing to: Everyone was depressed on account of/due to/owing to the bad weather.
Note this difference: Sue's success was due to her hard work. (noun+be+due to)
Sue succeeded owing to her hard work. (verb+owing to)
Condition - if, unless, provided/providing (that), as long as: People will not stop using their cars unless there is a good alternative. People will stop using their cars provided/providing (that) there is a good alternative.
Contrast - however, nevertheless, though/although, in spite of, despite, whereas: He performed very well in the interview; however/nevertheless, he didn't get the job.
Exercise. Join the sentences with a suitable conjunction. There may be more than one possible variant.
I went to bed early. I would be able to get up early.
I don't really want to go to the cinema tonight. I can't afford it.
There is very little that the company can do about this. It is not their responsibility.
She's extremely generous. Her husband is the exact opposite.
He looks a bit overweight. He is quite fit.
The economy has been in recession all year. Our sales have remained steady.
The Government are getting worried. They are losing popularity.
I'm staying in all weekend. I can get my work done.
He'd like to be an actor. His father would like him to be a lawyer.
I won't believe you. I've seen it for myself.
I didn't feel very well. We decided to leave early.
I'll come with you. We don't stay late. I need to be up early tomorrow.
I hear from you. I assume you are coming.
A person may take a driving test. They have not already taken a test within the previous fourteen days.
I didn't contact you. I'd lost your phone number.
The performance was cancelled. Everyone got a refund.
The annual outing has been postponed till next week. The weather has been inclement.
You take this road. I'll take that, and we'll see who arrives first.
He is a bit stupid. He is very kind.
Arrange the sentences in paragraphs. It makes reading easy.
Exercise 1. Translate the following sentences into English.
Данный феномен пока не исследован в достаточной степени.
Исследование проводилось ведущими учеными.
Первые результаты были достигнуты лишь несколько лет назад.
Полученные данные были проанализированы и классифицированы.
Статья, посвященная проблемам образования, показалась мне интересной.
Классификация, включающая пять пунктов, оказалась неполной.
Выводы, основанные на этом исследовании, не могут считаться исчерпывающими.
Идея, лежащая в основе данной работы, не нова.
Эксперимент, описанный в работе, является уникальным.
Тема, раскрытая в работе, пока недостаточно изучена.
Идея, предложенная русскими учеными, интересна с точки зрения лингвистики.
Понимая, что мы не первые, кто заинтересовался этой проблемой, мы постарались найти новые подходы.
Exercise 2. Finish the sentences about yourself and translate them into English.
Тема магистерской диссертации ...
Тема научной работы была предложена ...
Данное исследование посвящено проблеме ...
Мы работали над этой проблемой в течение ...
Эта проблема представляет интерес потому, что ...
В данном исследовании использованы следующие методы ...
В основе данной исследовательской работы лежит теория ...
В нашей работе мы пытаемся доказать/показать ...
Главная идея нашего исследования отражена в названии: ...
Главный вывод состоит в том, что ...