17.

Sentences with Homogeneous Parts and Cases of Transition from

Simple to Composite Sentences
Exercise 1. Comment on the cases of transition from simple to composite sentences and point out the
homogeneous part (if any), determining their syntactic function.

1. Hesitation of any kind is a sign of mental decay in the young, of physical weakness in the old. –
there are homogeneous parts which are postpositive attributes(of mental decay in the young, of
physical weakness in the old). This is a simple sentence not a case of transition because there is
no secondary predication. (Not every sentence that contains homogeneous parts is necessarily a
case of transition from the simple to the composite sentence. Only sentences with
homogeneous predicates are a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
Sentences with homogeneous objects, adverbials, attributes, predicatives and subjects are not
a case of transition.)
2. Marcellus strode heavily to and fro before the entrance, his impatience mounting. – there are
no homogeneous parts, we have a secondary predication expressed by an absolute construction.
This is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence because there are two different
subject-predicate groups (Marcellus strode and his impatience mounting – which is the absolute
construction).
3. Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. –
these are dependent appendixes introduced by subordinating conjunction “but” and the
sentence is an elliptical sentence - a case of transition from the simple to the composite
sentence.
4. Michelangelo went to Jacopo’s side, ran his hand caressingly over the sarcophagus, his fingers
tracing out in its low relief the funeral procession of fighting men and horses. – here we an
absolute construction, we have two subjects – Michelangelo and his fingers so we have
secondary predication, a second subject-predicate group(his fingers trancing). So, this a case of
transition from simple to composite sentence.
5. Now their laughter joined together seized each other and held close, harmoniously, intertwined
through each other’s fabric and substance. – there is one subject and 3 verbs that refer to the
same subject, we have 3 predicates referring to the same subject, this is a case of a transition
from simple to composite sentence. When we have two or more predicates of the same subject
this represent a case of transition.
6. He had lived with this block for several months now, studied it in every light, from every angle,
in every degree of heat and cold. – there is one subject with two separate predicates(lived,
studied) referring to the subject. Homogeneous parts are also present – “every light, every angle,
every degree” which are adverbial modifiers. This is a case of transition from simple to
composite sentence.
7. He felt discouraged, strangely empty. – we have one subject and one predicate this is a simple
sentence with two homogeneous parts(discouraged, empty) which are predicatives.
8. There were tangerines and apples stained with strawberry pink. – one verb, the homogeneous
parts are tangerines and apples they are homogeneous subjects. This is a simple sentence, it is
also an existential sentence – “there” is a pseudo subject, “tangerines and apples” are the logical
subject.
9. He came in slowly, hesitated, took up a toothpick from a dish on the top of the piano, and went
out again. – one subject that performed all the actions, we have two or more predicates
referring to the same subject(homogeneous predicates: came in, hesitated, took up, went out).
This is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
10. She had lied about the scullery door being open on the night of the disappearance of the
banknotes. – there is secondary predication expressed by a complex object with the present
participle(the door being open), this is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
11. Michelangelo went into the yard and sat in the baking sun with his chin resting in his chest. –
We have multiple predicates, homogeneous predicates(went into, sat), but we also have
secondary predication realized/expressed by an absolute construction – “with his chin resting on
his chest”, this is a second subject-predicate group which also functions as an adverbial modifier
of attending circumstances. This is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
12. But I was exceedingly nice, a little diffident, appropriately reverential. – This is simple sentence,
with homogeneous parts that are predicatives – exceedingly nice, little diffident, appropriately
reverential.
13. Each woman thought herself triumphant and the other altogether vanquished. – Here we have
two homogeneous objects(herself, the other) with object compliments(altogether vanquished), a
case of simple sentence.
14. That over, she sat back with a sigh and softly rubbed her knees. – there are two homogeneous
predicates referring to the same subject(sat and rubbed). There is also an absolute construction
“that over” which is a verbless absolute construction(the full form would be “that being over”),
this is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
15. From the edge of the sea came a ripple and a whisper. – This is simple sentence with two
homogeneous subjects – a ripple and a whisper.
16. They went side by side, hand in hand, silently toward the hedge. – This is a simple sentence with
homogeneous adverbial modifiers of manner – “side by side, hand in hand, silently”
17. Thus these two awaited with impatience for the three years to be over. – We have here
secondary predication expressed by a complex object with the for-to infinitive construction(for
the three years to be over), so this is a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
18. They were returning to Fogarty’s their hands full of flowers. – This is a case of a transition from
simple to composite sentence because there is a secondary predication expressed by the
verbless absolute construction “their hands full of flowers”. There are no homogeneous parts.
19. I’ve known many ladies who were prettier than you. – This is a full complex sentence because we
have an attributive clause(who were prettier than you). This is not a simple sentence neither a
case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
20. The conduct of a widow must be twice as circumspect as that of a matron. – dependent
appendix ellipsis, introduced by the subordinating conjunction “as”, homogeneous postpositive
attributes – of a widow, of a matron. This is a case of transition from simple to composite
sentence.
21. Tristram had stood about picking up letters, arranging things, as though preparing with some
difficulty just the situation he wanted. –
22. She caught the thoughtful, withdrawn, disengaged look that rested on the girl and boy; and,
glancing back at the girl, saw an expression in the sullen grey eyes that perplexed her – complex
sentence
 23. Scarlet stood in her apple green ‘second day’ dress in the parlour of Twelve Oaks amid the blaze
of hundreds of candles, jostled by the same throng as the night before, and saw the plan little
face of Melanie Hamilton glow into beauty.
24. The public watched the team play. – A second predication expressed by a complex object, this is
a case of transition from simple to composite sentence.
25. She was prepared, the situation already falling gracefully into place about her, to consider it,
incredibly enough he thought, as more than that. – a case of transition from simple to
composite sentence

 The cases with homogeneous predicates are considered a case of transition!