Question

Combine the following sentences into a complex sentence "He shot an arrow. The arrow fell on the rooftop."

• A. He shot an arrow and it fell on the rooftop
• B. He shot an arrow, but it fell on the rooftop
• C. The arrow he shot fell on the rooftop
• D. The arrow that fell on the rooftop has been shot by him

Answer 1

Answer:

C. The arrow he shot fell on the rooftop

To combine two simple sentences into a complex sentence, one sentence should become the main clause and the other should become a subordinate clause.

Given:

1. He shot an arrow.

2. The arrow fell on the rooftop.

Since "the arrow" is common to both sentences, we use a relative clause to modify it:

The arrow (that) he shot fell on the rooftop.

Here, "he shot" is a defining relative clause modifying "the arrow." The relative pronoun "that" is optional because it is the object of the verb shot.

Why the other options are incorrect:

❌ A) He shot an arrow and it fell on the rooftop.

• This is a compound sentence, joined by the coordinating conjunction and, not a complex sentence.

❌ B) He shot an arrow, but it fell on the rooftop.

• This is also a compound sentence. Moreover, but expresses contrast, which is not appropriate here.

❌ D) The arrow that fell on the rooftop has been shot by him.

• This changes the meaning and uses an incorrect tense (has been shot). It suggests the arrow was shot after it fell, which is illogical.