Complex sentence structures
You will need to use a variety of complex sentences to achieve well in Academic Writing Task 2. Complex sentences are used more in academic writing than simple sentences and compound sentences, and using them well shows a higher level of English skill.
A simple sentence is made up of a subject and verb, for example:
I study.
Subject + verb.
A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined with a coordinating conjunction (and/ but/ so/ or), for example:
I studied hard but I didn't pass my exam.
Simple sentence + coordinating conjunction+ simple sentence.
A complex sentence is a sentence made up of an independent clause and one or more dependent clauses,joined by a subordinating conjunction (such as because/ although/ after) or a relative pronoun (such as who/ what/ which).
Look at two examples of complex sentences:
Although I studied hard, I failed my exam.
The people will elect a new prime minister after the government sets an election
date.
Looking at these examples, decide which is, the independent clause and which Is the dependent clause. What do you think makes them different?
You should have noted the independent clauses were:
I failed my exam.
AND
The people will elect a new prime minister.
and the dependent clauses were:
Although I studied hard
AND
after the government sets an election date.
An independent clause has a meaning on its own whereas a dependent clause needs to
be joined to an independent clause to make sense. By adding a subordinating conjunction
to a clause, it becomes dependent.
Look at the examples again and highlight the subordinating conjunctions.
AND
Although I studied hard, I failed my exam.
AND
The people will elect a new prime minister after the government sets an election date.
TIP Commas are used to separate the clauses when the subordinating
conjunction is at the beginning of the sentence.
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