Question

Combine the following to form a simple sentence:
He is very lazy. He will not succeed.

• A. He is too lazy to succeed.
• B. He will not succeed because he is very lazy.
• C. If he is very lazy, he will not succeed.
• D. He is very lazy and will not succeed.

Answer 1

The correct option is A He is too lazy to succeed.

A simple sentence has only one subject and predicate. It has a finite verb with a completed thought. A compound sentence has at least two parts (also referred to as a clause). Each part has its own subject and predicate and makes good sense by itself. Hence each clause is independent of the other and called the main clause or independent clause. The main clauses are connected using a co-ordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

A complex sentence has at least one main clause (which is an independent clause) and one or more dependent clauses, connected using a subordinate conjunction. The dependent clause cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It depends on the main clause.

Option A: This sentence has only one clause i.e., "He is too lazy". It has only a single subject ("He") and predicate ("is too lazy"). The words, "to succeed" is a phrase and not a clause. Hence, this is a simple sentence and this option is correct.

Option B: The word, "because" is a subordinating conjunction which connects dependent and independent clauses. The clause, "He will not succeed" is an independent clause. The clause, "because he is very lazy" cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is a dependent clause. Hence, this is a complex sentence and this option is incorrect.

Option C: The word, "if" is a subordinating conjunction which connects dependent and independent clauses. The clause, "he will not succeed" is an independent clause. The clause, "If he is very lazy" cannot stand by itself and make good sense. It is a dependent clause. Hence, this is a complex sentence and this option is incorrect.

Option D: The two clauses viz (i) "He is very lazy" and (ii) "He (implied) will not succeed", can stand independently and make good sense. They are independent clauses connected using the co-ordinating conjunction-"and". Hence, this is a compound sentence and this answer is incorrect.