In the International English language testing system (IELTS) test, the effective use of complex sentences can greatly increase your overall score in the Writing and Speaking sections of the IELTS test. Complex sentences demonstrate your ability to express ideas in a clear and sophisticated manner, showcasing your command of grammar and vocabulary. By including complex sentences in your responses, you can convey more subtle ideas, and demonstrate a higher level of language proficiency. In this blog, we will explore the importance of using complex sentences in the IELTS test and provide you with valuable tips on how to effectively use them in your Speaking and Writing tasks.
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What are complex sentences?
A complex sentence is a type of sentence that consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a complete sentence and express a complete thought, while a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Instead, it relies on the independent clause to make sense and convey a complete idea.
The dependent clause in a complex sentence function as an adjective, adverb, or noun, providing additional information or context to the independent clause. It adds complexity and depth to the sentence by linking related ideas together.
Here are a few examples of complex sentences:
Sentences | Independent clause | Dependent clause |
|---|---|---|
Although she studied diligently, she didn't perform well on the exam. | She didn't perform well on the exam. | Although she studied diligently. |
The book that I borrowed from the library was very interesting. | The book was very interesting. | that I borrowed from the library. |
He ate his dinner before he went to the movie theatre. | He ate his dinner. | before he went to the movie theatre. |
In these examples, the dependent clauses provide additional information about the situations described in the independent clauses, making the sentences more nuanced and informative.
Different types of complex sentences with examples
Here are the different types of complex sentences for you to understand before you use them in your IELTS test:
Complex sentences with subordinate clauses
Complex sentences with subordinate clauses are an essential part of expressing complex ideas and relationships in writing. As mentioned earlier, subordinate clauses, also known as dependent clauses, cannot stand alone as complete sentences and rely on the main (independent) clause to form a coherent sentence. Let's look at some examples of complex sentences with subordinate clauses:
Clause Type | Sentence | Clause Description |
|---|---|---|
Subordinate Adjective Clause | The house that was built last year is now for sale. | Describes the noun "house." |
Subordinate Adverbial Clause (Time) | After the rain stopped, we went for a walk. | Provides information about when we went for a walk. |
Subordinate Adverbial Clause (Reason) | Since he was feeling unwell, he decided to skip the party. | Explains the reason for his decision. |
Subordinate Noun Clause (Subject) | What she said surprised everyone. | Acts as the subject of the sentence. |
Subordinate Noun Clause (Object) | I know that he likes chocolate. | Acts as the direct object of the sentence. |
Subordinate Noun Clause (Complement) | Her biggest fear is that she'll fail the test. | Acts as the complement of the sentence. |
Subordinate Noun Clause (Appositive) | The fact that they won the championship delighted the fans. | Acts as an appositive, providing additional information about "The fact." |
Subordinate Adjective Clause (Restrictive) | The book that is on the table belongs to Sarah. | Provides essential information about the specific book. |
Subordinate Adjective Clause (Non-Restrictive) | John's new car, which he bought last week, is very luxurious. | Provides additional, non-essential information about "John's new car." |
Complex sentences with subordinate clauses allow for more detailed expression, adding complexity and sophistication to your writing. By understanding how to use subordinate clauses effectively, you can create more meaningful sentences.
Complex sentences with relative clauses
Complex sentences with relative clauses, also known as adjective clauses, provide additional information about a noun in the main (independent) clause. Relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns (e.g., who, whom, whose, which, that) or relative adverbs (e.g., where, when, why). Let's explore some examples of complex sentences with relative clauses:
Relative Pronoun/Adverb | Sentence | Relative Clause Description |
|---|---|---|
Who | The woman who is standing at the door is my sister. | Provides more information about the noun "woman." |
Whom | The boy whom you met yesterday is my cousin. | Describes the noun "boy" and acts as the object of the sentence. |
Whose | The car whose owner is on vacation is parked outside. | Provides information about the possession of the car. |
Which | The book which is on the shelf is a bestseller. | Gives additional details about the book. |
That (as a relative pronoun) | The movie that we watched last night was fantastic. | Provides more information about the movie. |
Where | I visited the city where I was born. | Describes the location of the city. |
When | The day when we went to the beach was sunny. | Provides information about the time. |
Why | She couldn't explain the reason why she was late. | Gives information about the reason. |
Relative clauses add descriptive details to the nouns they modify, allowing for a more precise and engaging expression of ideas. When using relative clauses in your writing, be sure to place commas appropriately when the information is non-restrictive (provides additional, non-essential information) and avoid commas when the information is restrictive (essential to identify the noun).
Complex sentences with compound clauses
Complex sentences with compound clauses consist of two or more independent clauses joined together using coordinating conjunctions (e.g., and, but, or, so, for, nor, yet) or semicolons. These sentences allow for expressing multiple related ideas in a single sentence. Let's explore some examples of complex sentences with compound structures:
Compound Sentence Type | Sentence | Independent Clauses |
|---|---|---|
Coordinating Conjunction "and" | She likes to read, and he enjoys watching movies. | "She likes to read" and "he enjoys watching movies." |
Coordinating Conjunction "but" | The weather was hot, but they still went hiking. | "The weather was hot" and "they still went hiking." |
Coordinating Conjunction "or" | You can have tea, or you can choose coffee. | "You can have tea" and "you can choose coffee." |
Coordinating Conjunction "so" | It was raining heavily, so we decided to stay indoors. | "It was raining heavily" and "we decided to stay indoors." |
Coordinating Conjunction "for" | She studied hard, for she wanted to pass the exam with flying colors. | "She studied hard" and "she wanted to pass the exam with flying colors." |
Coordinating Conjunction "nor" | He neither liked the book, nor did he finish reading it. | "He neither liked the book" and "he did not finish reading it." |
Coordinating Conjunction "yet" | The test was difficult, yet she managed to score well. | "The test was difficult" and "she managed to score well." |
Semicolon | He likes to paint; she enjoys playing the piano. | "He likes to paint" and "she enjoys playing the piano." |
In compound sentences, the coordinating conjunctions or semicolons serve as connectors between the independent clauses, allowing for a clear presentation of related ideas. It's essential to use these structures thoughtfully to ensure coherence and clarity in your writing.
Complex Sentence Fusion
Complex sentence fusion involves combining two separate sentences into a single complex sentence by transforming one of them into a subordinate clause. This technique is used to create more concise sentences. Let's explore some examples of complex sentence fusion:
Original sentences | Fused complex sentence |
|---|---|
Mary studied hard for the exam. | Since Mary studied hard for the exam, she passed it with flying colours. |
The concert was sold out. | The concert was sold out, and we couldn't get tickets. |
It rained heavily. | Because it rained heavily, we decided to stay indoors. |
John loves to play basketball. | John loves to play basketball, while his brother enjoys playing football. |
She practiced the piano diligently. | She practiced the piano diligently because she wanted to win the competition. |
The restaurant received a Michelin star. | After receiving a Michelin star, the restaurant has become extremely popular. |
They missed the bus. | Since they missed the bus, they had to take a taxi. |
He lost his job. | After he lost his job, he couldn't pay the rent. |
In these examples, complex sentence fusion helps to combine related ideas and make the sentences more cohesive and efficient. This technique is valuable in writing as it allows you to express multiple thoughts or events in a single sentence, creating a smoother flow in your writing.
Tips for using complex sentences in your IELTS test
Using complex sentences effectively in your IELTS test can showcase your language proficiency and boost your writing score. Here are some valuable tips for including complex sentences in your writing:
Vary sentence structure: Aim to include a mix of sentence types, including simple, compound, and complex sentences. This demonstrates your ability to write with versatility.
Practice sentence combining: Practice combining simple sentences into complex ones by using conjunctions, relative pronouns, and subordinating conjunctions. This exercise will help you become more comfortable constructing complex sentences.
Use subordinate clauses: Integrate subordinate clauses (dependent clauses) into your sentences to add depth and complexity. Subordinate clauses act as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns, providing essential details and connections between ideas as mentioned above in detail.
Avoid overcomplicating: While complex sentences are valuable, avoid overusing them. Ensure your sentences are clear, and the ideas flow logically. Use complex sentences where they naturally fit and improve the overall coherence.
Read sample essays: Familiarise yourself with high-scoring IELTS essays to observe how complex sentences are used effectively. Analyse how the writers structure their sentences and apply similar techniques in your writing.
Focus on clarity: While crafting complex sentences, prioritise clarity. Ensure that the main idea is evident and that the relationship between the clauses is well-established. Ambiguous or confusing sentences can negatively impact your score.
Check for errors: Complex sentences can be more challenging to construct correctly. Take extra care to avoid errors in punctuation, subject-verb agreement, and pronoun-antecedent agreement when using complex structures.
Practice time management: In the writing test, time management is crucial. Practice constructing complex sentences efficiently to maintain a steady pace throughout the essay.
Use academic vocabulary: Use a range of academic vocabulary when constructing complex sentences. This will not only demonstrate your language proficiency but also enhance the overall quality of your writing.
Seek feedback: After practicing, seek feedback from teachers, peers, or language experts. They can provide valuable insights into your use of complex sentences and suggest improvements.
Remember, using complex sentences strategically can improve your writing, but it is important to use them purposefully and coherently. Aim for clarity, precision, and effective communication of ideas in your IELTS writing test. Additionally, if you want to know more about the IELTS test, you can visit your nearest IDP IELTS test centres.