How Important Complex Sentences In IELTS To Score High?

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This post would be helpful for IELTS candidates to become familiar with the concept of complex and compound structures in IELTS writing module.

What is the Importance of complex and compound structures in IELTS writing?

IELTS writing test is about testing the ultimate proficiency of candidates in writing English efficiently which contains all varieties in writing structures including simple, compound and complex sentences.

Before going into detail about complex sentences, it is important to understand the requirement of such sentences. As some students write each and everything by using simple and short sentences which further creates difficulties to maintain link of ideas with each other and seems like a writing of school students. Even sometimes, it is extremely difficult for examiners to understand candidates’ point of view. Due to this, most of the candidates are unable to get desired band scored in IELTS writing and they consider that writing is the most toughest module of IELTS. Therefore, for such students, using complex and compound sentences is the most effective way to get more and more band scores in writing module of IELTS.

A common misconception among IELTS candidates is that writing complex sentences is a very complex process itself and they think that these sentences are too tough to understand as well. Actually, it is just a myth about IELTS.

A complex sentence which has been written correctly not only sounds better, but also makes the writing more cohesive. Thus, it is essential to write more some sentences in complexity in order to get ‘7’ and ‘more than 7’ band scores in IELTS writing.

Complex and Compound sentences of writing:-

Complex sentence

Complex sentence is made from an independent clause and a dependent clause by joining them together.

Background Information

A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. The subject tells whom or what the sentence is about. The verb tells the action or state of being of the subject.

1. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE:- independent clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb that expresses a complete thought.

EXAMPLE:- Jamie work suddenly.

2. A DEPENDENT CLAUSE:- also called a subordinate clause, is a group of words with a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It does not make sense standing alone.

Some EXAMPLES:-

After I came home, I made dinner.

(Dependent clause) “After I came home”.

(Independent clause) “I made dinner”.

We visited the museum before it closed.

(Dependent clause) “before it closed”.

(Independent clause) “We visited museum”.

A subordinate clause usually, begins with a subordinate conjunction.

Complex sentences are often formed by putting these words at the beginning of the dependent clause:-

As
As if
Before
After
Because
Though
Although
Even though
While
When
Whenever
If
During
As soon as
As long as
Since
Until
Unless
Where
Where

Examples

Unless:- negativity stated in a condition.

Example:- you will not pass unless you study.

After:- I will drink the milk after my brother drinks it.

If:- express a condition in the clause.

Example:- If you work hard you will pass.

Though, Although, Even though

Contrast between two clauses

Examples:-

Though he is poor, he is honest.

Although I am happy, satisfied from my life I want to be more.

I was late to my work even though I helped the old lady.

If only:- shows a specific condition.

Example:- if only, I would be a Prime Minister.

As:- is used to show time and reason.

Example:– I did not go to school, as I was ill.

As if:- an imaginary clause/condition

Example:- he talks me as if he was my boss.

As though:- manner of a event

Example:- She took care the baby as though she was her mother.

Since:- show a time

Example:- I have been doing this since January.

Wherever:- definite situation

Example:-Wherever I wanted to meet him, he didn’t come.

Compound Sentence

Compound Sentence is made by joining two independent clauses together with a conjunction

Compound sentence often with these coordinating conjunctions:-

And
But
For
Or
Nor
Yet
So.

Examples:-

John bought some new shoes and he wore them to party.
Lily liked her new house but she didn’t like the front yard.
We can go to see a movie, or we can see something new to eat.

In each example, there is subject and a verb in each independent clause. These subjects/sentences can be changed by removing subject.

John bought some new shoes and wore them to a party.
Lily liked her new house but not the front yard.
We can go to see a movie or get something to eat.

Compound – Complex sentence

Compound – Compound sentences are made from two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Examples:-

We decided that the movie was too violent, but our children, who like to watch scary movies, thought that we were wrong.
Independent:- we decided that the movie was too violet.
Independent:- (but) our children thought that we were wrong.
Dependent:- who like to watch scary movie.

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