COMPOUND – COMPLEX SENTENCES
In this final lesson in the series we will look at a few advanced sentence constructions, namely advanced relative clauses and compound-complex sentences.
It is important to understand that an IELTS essay should (ideally) use a wide range of sentence types. This means that simple sentences should be used as well as more advanced forms.
In this lesson we will look at a form of longer sentences: compound-complex sentences, which use a minimum of three combined clauses.
Compound-complex sentences
As the name suggests, a compound-complex sentence is one that contains both a coordinating and a subordinating conjunction; therefore, combining more than one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
In the examples below, the dependent clauses have been highlighted. Note how the position of the dependent clause can change. How does this affect the punctuation used in the sentence?
Example 1a - It is now possible to work from home if the internet connection is fast enough, so employers should consider subsiding the cost.
Example 2a - People eat at fast food restaurants because the food is delicious and quick, but most are aware that it is also unhealthy.
Example 3a - The world needs countries to work together, and the climate crisis will not be solved unless international agreements are signed and respected.
Example 4a - Charging money for admissions makes sense as long as it make museums less reliant on public funds, and allows more independence for decision-makers.
Example 5a - Although some leaders claim to disagree disagree, most governments believe economic progress is more important than social progress, but this idea can be easily refuted.
Example 6a - Deciding which university to attend is a difficult choice, so many young people rely on the advice of their parents because they trust in their experience.
As the examples above show, a comma will be placed before the coordinating conjunction, and another after the dependent clause if it comes first in the sentence. Notice the changes in punctuation when the dependent clause is moved.
Example 1b - If the internet connection is fast enough, it is now possible to work from home, so employers should consider subsiding the cost.
Example 2b - Because the food is delicious and quick, people eat at fast food restaurants, but most are aware that it is also unhealthy.
Example 3b - Unless international agreements are signed and respected, the climate crisis will not be solved, so the world needs countries to work together.
Example 4b - As long as it make museums less reliant on public funds, charging money for admissions makes sense, and allows more independence for decision-makers.
Example 5b - Most governments believe economic progress is more important than social progress although some leaders claim to disagree, but this idea can be easily refuted.
Example 6b - Deciding which university to attend is a difficult choice, so because they trust in their experience, many young people rely on the advice of their parents.
Compound-complex sentences are common in advanced writing, and can be found throughout academic texts. In IELTS there is no requirement, but if test-takers can practice and master these sentence types it will help to create a text that flows more easily.
However, there are some reasons to be careful. Some test-takers mistakenly believe that long sentence are better sentences. This mistake often leads to sentences that are too long to read comfortably, or run on sentences that make little sense. For this reason, in IELTS it is wise to limit a sentence to three clauses at most unless you are extremely confident that you have good control over grammar and punctuation, and use simple, compound and complex sentences more frequently.
Run-on sentences and fragments
Run-on sentences and fragments are grammar mistakes that occur when test-takers misuse punctuation that separates clauses. These sentences are usually difficult to understand.
These errors are made either because punctuation is missing or added unnecessarily (a run-on sentence), or a sentence does not contain a subject or a main verb (a fragment). These are common errors in IELTS writing.
Run-on sentences examples (missing or unnecessary punctuation)
Governments must invest more money they have a duty to care for the elderly. ✘
Governments must invest more money. They have a duty to care for the elderly. ✔︎
Governments must invest more money because they have a duty to care for the elderly. ✔︎
There are many people who need free healthcare the elderly and the young are particularly vulnerable. ✘
There are many people who need free healthcare. The elderly and the young are particularly vulnerable. ✔︎
There are many people who need free healthcare; the elderly and the young are particularly vulnerable. ✔︎
Traffic congestion can be reduced by improving public transport, the government must invest more. ✘
Traffic congestion can be reduced by improving public transport. The government must invest more. ✔︎
Traffic congestion can be reduced by improving public transport, so the government must invest more. ✔︎
The reasons for this difference are still not well-understood, therefore more research needs to be done on the topic but there is not enough funding available. ✘
The reasons for this difference are still not well-understood. Therefore, more research needs to be done on the topic, but there is not enough funding available. ✔︎
The reasons for this difference are still not well-understood; therefore, more research needs to be done on the topic, but there is not enough funding available. ✔︎
Fragment examples (missing subject or main verb)
Many university subjects receive far more male applications than female. For example, engineering, maths, and history. ✘
Many university subjects receive far more male applications than female, such as engineering, maths, and history. ✔︎
Many university subjects receive far more male applications than female. Three examples are engineering, maths, and history. ✔︎
The education authorities have repeatedly decreased the number of after-school classes. Meaning that many working parents now have to pay for childcare. ✘
The education authorities have repeatedly decreased the number of after school classes, meaning that many working parents now have to pay for childcare. ✔︎
The education authorities have repeatedly decreased the number of after school classes. This situation means that many working parents now have to pay for childcare. ✔︎
In the modern world, music often acts as a bridge between cultures. Because it helps to create a shared identity that transcends national boundaries. ✘
In the modern world, music often acts as a bridge between cultures because it helps to create a shared identity that transcends national boundaries. ✔︎
In the modern world, music often acts as a bridge between cultures. This is because it helps to create a shared identity that transcends national boundaries. ✔︎
The privatisation of the railway system was a complete disaster, leading to a huge increase in rail fares and a slower service. Which is why privatisation of the airports should be avoided. ✘
The privatisation of the railway system was a complete disaster, leading to a huge increase in rail fares and a slower service, which is why privatisation of the airports should be avoided. ✔︎
The privatisation of the railway system was a complete disaster, leading to a huge increase in rail fares and a slower service. This is why privatisation of the airports should be avoided. ✔︎
There is a bias towards independence in Western culture. The idea that people should not be reliant on the state or family. ✘
There is a bias towards independence in Western culture where the idea is that people should not be reliant on the state or family. ✔︎
There is a bias towards independence in Western culture. The idea is that people should not be reliant on the state or family. ✔︎
Exercise Five
Below are several example sentences written by university students studying for IELTS. Each example contains errors that have been highlighted in this article.
Find the errors and make any changes necessary.
Example 1 - The idea that the main purpose of a country’s education system is to prepare young people for particular types of work rather than to help them develop into independent-thinking individuals.
Example 2 - Although I have some sympathy with this situation, children should stay at school and study subjects, that’s their duties and rights.
Example 3 - Actually, our world is like a huge machine in a competitive global economy, because of this, we should become gears to operate it instead of thinking of ourselves.
Example 4 - Although increasing petrol’s price will decline the number of people driving cars by day, but it can just last a short term.
Example 5 - Another negative aspect is that the rising of price also rise the cost of manufacturing and chemical industry. Then, the price of relevant products will also be in on the rising. One after another, eventually result in inflation.
Example 6 - What’s more, keen on imitating, primary school students are less likely to regard foreign language learning as a burden but motivated by curiosity.
Example 7 - When people go to work by bus or subway and they find that is more convenient and cheaper than drive cars by themselves.
ANSWERS
| EXCERCISE | ANSWER |
| 5.1 | Example 1 – The idea is that the main purpose of a country’s education system is to prepare young people for particular types of work, rather than to help them develop into independent-thinking individuals. |
| 5.2 | Example 2 – Although I have some sympathy with this situation, children should stay at school and study subjects. That is their duty and their right. |
| 5.3 | Example 3 – Actually, our world is like a huge machine in a competitive global economy. Because of this, we should become gears to operate it, instead of thinking of ourselves. |
| 5.4 | Example 4 – Although increasing the price of petrol will reduce the number of people driving cars by day, it will only last a short while. |
| 5.5 | Example 5 – Another negative aspect is that the rising price will also raise the cost to the manufacturing and chemical industries. Then the price of relevant products will also rise one after another, and eventually result in inflation. |
| 5.6 | Example 6 – What’s more, keen on imitating, primary school students are less likely to regard foreign language learning as a burden but instead be motivated by curiosity. |
| 5.7 | Example 7 – When people go to work by bus or subway, they find that is more convenient and cheaper than driving cars by themselves. |
