For combining two sentences to make a complex sentence, we would use conjunctions which act as the linking words. Go to the chapter of Conjunctions to learn making complex sentences.
Index
Complex Sentences-introduction
You need to include a variety of sentences in your IELTS writing. But before using them, you must ensure that you are aware of the rules of complex sentences. If you are not able to make complex sentences properly, then your sentences would contain errors which would cost you scores in IELTS. So it is better to invest time in getting a good hand in writing complex sentences.
One of the biggest mistakes students make in IELTS writing is to try and show off and be overly ambitious with their grammar. This is because many students think that all of their sentences need to be ‘complex’ and not understanding what a ‘complex’ sentence is. Trying to write overly complicated sentences leads to grammar mistakes and this will lead to lost marks in many different areas.
Many students from Punjab region mainly rural areas write simple sentences comfortably but make mistake in writing complex sentences. So they need to learn how to make complex sentences.No doubt they make complex sentences in their native language Punjabi very fairly. So one good way to learn complex sentences in English is to observe the pattern in their native language first and then correlating this pattern in English language.
What does the IELTS examiner expect from your writing?
If we look at the examiners’ marking scheme , it states that in order to get a band 6 , for grammar we need to:
• use a mix of simple and complex sentences.
For band 7 it states:
• Use a variety of complex structures.
This obviously means that we should use complex sentences in our writing, but it does not mean that we should try to make all of our sentences complex. better to use a blend of simple and complex sentences depending upon the point to be made in writing.
What is a complex sentence?
The main problem here seems to be the word ‘complex’. Complex, in this situation, does not mean complicated, long or impressive. This is a common misconception and leads to students writing very long and grammatically incorrect sentences that are very difficult to understand.
For example:
‘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.’
This is a very typical sentence from an essay that is trying to be overly complex. This student has tried to put four simple ideas into one paragraph and the result is an awkward and incoherent sentence. They have lost control of the grammar and this affects the meaning. When meaning is affected it stops the reading understanding what is being said and that is really bad for you IELTS writing band scores.
‘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.
Let’s look at the first example again. In the sentence above there are four simple ideas that we can put into simple sentences:
- Global warming is a common topic these days.
- Global warming causes environmental problems.
- There are tough challenges associated with global warming.
- Global warming has very serious consequences.
If we write all of our sentences in the IELTS exam like this we lose marks because they are too simple. What we need to do is put them together to make complex sentences.
Now Converting above sentences into complex sentences.
For 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.
I don’t think there is anything ‘complex’ about these sentences, just simple ideas, simply put together.
‘Complex’ is just a label, not a description.
What I have done is take each of the four simple sentences and put them together in two complex sentences. This result is a grammatically correct, easy to understand paragraph.
When should I use complex sentences?
In general, 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:
This is a question about whether ‘fast food’ or ‘junk food’ should be taxed at a higher rate than normal food.
‘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.’
The first sentence is the ‘topic sentence’ and makes the main point. It is therefore acceptable for this to be a simple sentence.
The second sentence explains the main point and uses the word ‘and’ to link two simple sentences together, to make one complex sentence.
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.
This paragraph has a mix of simple and complex sentences and therefore satisfies the marking criteria.
How do I make a complex sentence?
Remember that a complex sentence is just more than one simple sentence put together to make one sentence. We therefore need to learn and become confident using the various grammatical structures that allow us to do that.
For combining two sentences to make a complex sentence, we would use conjunctions which act as the linking words. Go to the chapter of Conjunctions to learn making complex sentences.