Complex Sentence

Content

If we look at the examiners’ marking scheme:
1. To get a band 6 for grammar: we need to use a mix of simple and complex sentences.
2. For band 7 it states: Use a variety of complex structures.
3. All band 9 answers that I have seen use a mixture of both simple and complex sentences.

‘Complex’ sentences are not actually very complex; they are just two or more simple sentences put together. Putting them together makes the essay more coherent and cohesive.
Simple sentences:
1. Global warming is a common topic these days.
2. Global warming causes environmental problems.
3. There are tough challenges associated with global warming.
4. Global warming has very serious consequences.
Example: One of the most common environmental issues is global warming which causes many serious environmental problems. There are tough challenges associated with this issue and its effects have very serious consequences.
Too Complex Sentence: In the modern world, global warming is one of the most popular topics causing many environmental difficulties and tough challenges arising from its serious consequences.

We should use simple sentences when making main points; normally at the beginning of a paragraph.
We should then use complex sentences when expanding on the main point, for instance when giving a supporting example or explaining your main point.
Example: ‘Increasing taxes would raise prices and lower consumption. Fast food companies would pass on these taxes to consumers in the form of higher prices and this would lead to people not being able to afford junk food. For instance, the cost of organic food has proven prohibitively expensive for most people. Despite this, people in many developed countries, where the problem is most acute, can afford price hikes and will continue to eat high-fat meals.’
1. The first sentence is the ‘topic sentence’ and makes the main point. It is therefore acceptable for this to be a simple sentence.
2. The second sentence explains the main point and uses the word ‘and’ to link two simple sentences together, to make one complex sentence.
3. The third sentence gives an example and uses the linking phrase ‘for instance’. The final sentence makes a concession (shows the limitation of the argument) and is also a complex sentence, linking more than one idea together.

To make a complex sentence we normally should have two things- a dependent clause and an independent clause.
A clause is a group of words with both a subject and a verb.
1. An example of a dependent clause is ‘….because the weather was cold.’ This is a dependent clause because it has a subject and a verb but it doesn’t make any sense on its own. To make sense we need to add an independent clause.
2. An independent clause can make sense on its own. For example, ‘I wore a warm coat.’ If we combine these two clauses we get a complex sentence- ‘I wore a warm coat because the weather was cold.’

Using relative clauses to give essential or extra information about a person, place, or thing.
Do this by using relative pronouns like who, which and that.
For example:
1. ‘He’s the kind of person who is always friendly.’
2. Air pollution, which is mostly caused by motor vehicles, can cause health problems.
3. There is evidence that people who have parents and friends that smoke are more likely to smoke.

A subordinate clause can describe nouns and pronouns; describe verbs, adverbs, and adjectives; or act as the subject or object of another clause. They are made by connecting an independent clause with a dependent clause with words like as, because, while, until, even though, although, when and if.

They are used to express that the action in the main clause can only take place if a certain condition is met.
They are also useful for talking about unreal situations or to speculate about results in the past or present.
There are four different kinds of conditionals which I will outline below:
1. Zero Conditionals are used to talk about information that is true or facts. We can use if or when to introduce the conditional.
  - Example: Nowadays when we travel long distances, we usually use air travel.
2. First conditionals are used to talk about things in the present or future.
  - Example: If the city’s population continues to grow, we will need to build more infrastructure.
3. Second Conditionals are used to talk about things that are impossible.
  - Example: If the sun didn’t come up tomorrow, we wouldn’t have any life on earth.
4. Third Conditionals are used to speculate about past events. It is often used when we regret something or to imagine a past unreal situation.
  - Example: The Second World War would have never happened/ if Germany had been given a fairer peace settlement in World War One.

Consist of two independent clauses linked together with a conjunction such as ‘and’, ‘for’ or ‘but’.
For examples:
1. I really want to study, but I’m too tired.
2. She got to the test centre early, and she did really well on her IELTS test.