Table of contents

• Introduction
• Understanding complex sentences
• Types of complex sentences
• Tips to master complex sentences
• Common mistakes to avoid
• Examples of complex sentences
• Conclusion

Introduction

Mastering complex sentences is crucial for achieving a high band score in the IELTS exam. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about complex sentences, including their definition, importance, and types. We will also provide tips to help you master complex sentences and avoid common mistakes. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of complex sentences! Mastering complex IELTS sentences is a key aspect of scoring well in the IELTS test. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the fundamentals of complex sentences and share tips on how to identify and use them effectively in your writing and speaking tasks.

Understanding complex sentences:

What are complex sentences? They are a combination of two or more ideas that are linked together to form a single sentence. These sentences contain a main clause that expresses the central idea, and one or more subordinate clauses that provide additional information.

Why are complex sentences important in IELTS? They showcase your grammatical range and depth of knowledge. They also demonstrate your ability to link ideas together cohesively, which is a key element of academic writing.

How to identify complex sentences? Look for sentences that contain a combination of a main clause and a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause typically begins with a conjunction such as “because,” “although,” or “while.”

Types of complex sentences

Complex sentences use different forms of clauses to convey clear and concise messages. Here, we discuss the three main types of complex sentences that you must know.

Subordinate clauses: A subordinate clause is a type of sentence that relies on a main clause to be complete. It adds further information to the main clause and cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. For instance, “Although I was a bit nervous, I managed to score well in the IELTS exam,” is a complex sentence where ‘Although I was a bit nervous’ is the subordinate clause.

Relative clauses: A relative clause adds more information to a noun or pronoun in a sentence, often answering the questions “who” or “what”. For instance, “The student who topped the IELTS exam received a scholarship,” is a complex sentence where ‘who topped the IELTS exam’ is the relative clause.

Compound sentences: A compound sentence is when two or more independent clauses are combined to create a complex sentence. These clauses are joined together using coordinating conjunctions. For example, “I study every day, but I still find the IELTS exam challenging,” is a compound sentence with ‘I study every day’ and ‘I still find the IELTS exam challenging’ as the two independent clauses.

Knowing these types of complex sentences and how to use them will help you in achieving higher scores in your IELTS exam.

Tips to master complex sentences

Start with simple sentences

One of the best ways to get comfortable with complex sentences is to start with simple sentences. Practice constructing simple sentences that convey one main idea and then experiment with linking them together in different ways. This will help you to build up your understanding of complex sentence structures.

Practice using different sentence structures

Part of mastering complex sentences is understanding the different sentence structures that can be used. Experiment with using subordinate clauses, relative clauses, and compound sentences to see how they work in practice. Doing so will help you to identify which structures work best for different contexts and ideas.

Pay attention to punctuation

Punctuation is key when it comes to constructing complex sentences. Using commas and other punctuation marks correctly can make all the difference in how your sentence is read and understood. Be sure to read up on proper punctuation rules and practice using them in your writing.

Read extensively

Reading extensively is one of the best ways to learn how to construct complex sentences. By reading a variety of texts, you will be exposed to a range of sentence structures and styles. Pay attention to how writers use complex sentences to convey their ideas and practice applying these strategies in your own writing.

In conclusion, mastering complex sentences is an important part of succeeding in the IELTS exam. By starting with simple sentences, practicing different sentence structures, paying attention to punctuation, and reading extensively, you will be well on your way to constructing well-crafted and cohesive complex sentences.

Common mistakes to avoid

While trying to incorporate complex sentences in their writing, many IELTS aspirants make some common mistakes that they should be aware of.

One of the mistakes is using advanced vocabulary unnecessarily. Complex sentences are not about using difficult vocabulary, but about conveying a complex idea through multiple clauses. Using big words just for the sake of it can make the sentence sound unnatural and may even lead to a lower band score.

Another mistake is making sentences too long and confusing. Instead of trying to fit multiple ideas in one sentence, it is better to break them down into simple and clear sentences. Lengthy sentences can be difficult to comprehend and can also lead to errors in grammar, punctuation, and coherence.

Finally, losing focus on the main idea is another mistake that many aspirants make. Complex sentences should help clarify the main idea instead of obscuring it. It is essential to ensure that the sentence structure and ideas flow logically and cohesively while using complex sentences.

By avoiding these common mistakes and practising the tips mentioned in this guide, IELTS aspirants can improve their writing skills and score better bands in the exam.

Examples of complex sentences

To give your writing an edge and score higher in IELTS, it’s important to master complex sentence structures. Here are a few examples of complex sentences:

– Despite the heavy rain, my friend and I decided to go for a walk in the park, hoping to enjoy the lush greenery and fresh air.
– John, who is my neighbor, has a beautiful garden that is full of colorful flowers and exotic plants.
– The concert was awesome, and it felt like the entire audience was transported to a different world, lost in the magic of the music.

By using complex sentences, you can add depth and sophistication to your writing, making it more engaging and persuasive.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering complex sentences is crucial to achieving a good band score in your IELTS exam. Complex sentences do not need to be unnecessarily long or filled with advanced vocabulary. Instead, they should join simple sentences together in a cohesive and informative manner. To master complex sentences, start with simple sentences, practice using different sentence structures, pay attention to punctuation, and read extensively. Avoid making common mistakes such as using advanced vocabulary unnecessarily, making sentences too long and confusing, and losing focus on the main idea. With practice and patience, you can develop the skills necessary to write effective complex sentences in your IELTS exam.