Sentence Structure

Sentence structure is the key to score Band 7 or higher on the writing sections of the IELTS exam. If you can use a variety of sentence structures, simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex, you will score Band 7 or above – provided you spell, punctuate, and use capital letters in a correct manner as well.  Below is a review of all four sentence types.

 

Rule 1: A clause always has a subject (S) and a verb (V).

For example: (S) John (V) runs to the store – this is an independent clause. It is called an independent clause because it is a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.

There are four (4) types of sentences in the English language, and they all can be used on the IELTS exam.

1. Simple sentences
2. Compound Sentences
3. Complex Sentences
4. Compound-Complex sentence
5. Simple Sentences:

A simple sentence may be complete in any of the following forms:

1. One Subject and one Verb; John runs to the store. (S + V + complement)
2. One Subject and two Verbs; John walks and runs to the store. (S+ VV + complement)

iii.                 Two Subjects and one Verb; John and Ravi walk to the store. (SS+V + complement)

1. Two or more Subjects and two Verbs; John and Ravi walk and run to the store.                   (SS +VV + complement)
2. Compound Sentences:

These consist of 2 or more independent clauses or complete sentences that are joined together; hence, they are made ‘compound’. These can be used throughout the written parts of the IELTS exam.

You can join independent clauses in 3 ways:

1. Coordinating conjunctions (the most common)
2. Conjunctive Adverbs

iii.                 A Semi-colon

Coordinating Conjunctions:

These are typically called ‘FANBOYS’ as this is an acronym for the coordinating conjunctions: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So. Each word has a specific function as a conjunction (see the chart below)

Coordinating Conjunctions	Function (*note the comma placement after the first independent clause)
For	introduces a reason:   I like math, for I like numbers.
And	introduces an equal idea:   I like football and I enjoy cricket.
Nor	introduces two negatives: I don’t like swimming, nor do I enjoy bungee jumping. (note the question form in clause 2.)
But	introduces opposing ideas: I like watching films, but I don’t like going to the theatre.
Or	offers a choice: We can out to dinner, or we can visit your sister.
Yet	used like ‘but’, however, offers a surprise! I like pizza, yet I do not like cheese.
So	introduces a result: I passed the test, so I feel good.

 

Conjunctive Adverbs:

Conjunctive adverbs offer a similar function just as the coordinating conjunctions do above, but are considered more formal (see the revised Chart below)

Coordinating Conjunctions & Conjunctive Adverbs (Conjunctive Adverbs use a semicolon and a comma)	Function (*note the different use of punctuation involving conjunctive adverbs – a semicolon and a comma)
For (note: ‘for’ is not commonly used anymore; nowadays, people use ‘because’ in a dependent clause more often)	introduces a reason:   I like math because I like numbers. See dependent clauses
And Adverbs: in addition, furthermore, besides, also, moreover, finally, next	introduces an equal idea:   I like football; in addition, I enjoy cricket.
Nor	introduces two negatives: I don’t like swimming, nor do I enjoy bungee jumping.
But   Adverbs: in contrast, on the other hand, rather, in spite of, however, instead	introduces opposing ideas: I like watching films; on the other hand, I don’t like going to the theatre.
Or Adverb: otherwise	offers a choice: We can out to dinner; otherwise, we can visit your sister.
Yet Adverbs: however, nevertheless, still, nonetheless	used like ‘but’, however, offers a surprise: I like pizza; nevertheless, I do not like cheese.
So Adverbs: as a result, consequently, therefore, hence, thus, accordingly, then	introduces a result: I passed the test; therefore, I feel good.
** ‘for example,’ and ‘for instance’ are often used as conjunctive adverbs.	Many people must score higher than 7 on the IELTS exam; for example, you will get extra points toward your immigration status in Canada if you do so.

Other adverbial conjunctions:

For time: before, meanwhile, now, since, lately, then

To emphasize: instead, of course, certainly

To compare: also, likewise, similarly

Semi-colons:

If two independent clauses are related, then a semi-colon can be used to join them.

For example:

I like math; I like numbers.

I like watching films; I don’t like going to the theatre.

I like pizza; I do not like cheese.

We can out to dinner; we can visit your sister.

• Note: in each sentence above the two independent clauses are related, so a semicolon can be used to join them. Coordinating Conjunctions and Conjunctive Adverbs work to give the reader a ‘function’ or a way of understanding the relationship between independent clauses. A semicolon, on the other hand, assumes the reader understands the relationship presented in each independent clause.

3. Complex Sentences:

Complex sentences must have an independent clause and at least one (or more) dependent clause. A dependent clause is written with a subordinate conjunction. Here is a list of subordinate conjunctions:

After, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, lest, now, that, once, only, only if, provided that, since, so, supposing that, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether or not, while

In the following examples, the dependent clauses are underlined  – note changes in context with the shifting of the clauses in iii, iv, v:

(i)                  I like music because I like to dance.

(ii)                Although some people like to dance, other people do not like dancing.

(iii)              Although some people like to dance, other people do not like dancing because it involves moving to a beat.

(iv)              Although some people like to dance because it involves moving to the beat, other people do not like dancing.

(v)                Some people do not like dancing; although other people like to dance because it involves moving to a beat.

In (i), the independent clause is ‘I like music’, and this is joined to the dependent clause with the subordinate conjunction ‘because’. Please note that ‘Because I like to dance’ is NOT an independent clause simply for the reason that a subordinate conjunction precedes the clause ‘I like to dance’. The subordinate conjunction is the only ‘word’ that distinguishes an independent clause (IC) from a dependent clause (DC)

In (ii), the dependent clause (DC) ‘Although some people like to dance’ precedes the independent clause (IC) with a comma. As a rule, a dependent clause may precede or follow an independent clause, but there is no punctuation needed between clauses if the independent clause is written first: [IC DC].

It was raining outside while we were eating in the restaurant.

However, when the dependent clause is written first, there must be a comma before the independent clause [DC, IC].

While we were eating in the restaurant, it was raining outside.

In (iii) above, the dependent clause (DC) ‘Although some people like to dance’ precedes the independent clause with a comma, and another dependent clause ‘because it involves moving to a beat’. As a rule, you form these types of complex sentences in any form: [DC IC DC – as in (iii)], [DC, DC, IC – as in (iv)], or [IC DC, DC]

Rule 2: In (iv, v) above, a comma can be placed in front of a dependent clause (as in iv -, although) since this dependent clause is commenting back upon the independent clause preceding it. In (v) a semi-colon can be used as a way to mention something that could have been mentioned but is now reiterated this way (different use of a semi-colon not related to typical compound sentence structure).

Types of Dependent Clauses:

Adverbial clause: This type of clause is important when writing a ‘concession’ statement for the IELTS Essay. Although many people prefer the black Mercedes Benz, I do not.

Adjective clause: There are two types of adjective clause.

1. The boy who lives down the street is happy. (identifying adjective clause)

Here, ‘the boy’ is a general term (as there are 4.5 billion boys on the planet), so the relative clause/adjective clause ‘who lives down the street’ helps identify the boy – so no commas are necessary!

2. Mark, who lives down the street, is happy. (non-identifying adjective clause or extra information)

In 2, Mark has been identified by his name, so the adjective clause ‘who lives down the street’ is considered ‘extra information about Mark – so commas are necessary to separate it from the independent clause ‘Mark is happy’.

Noun clause: Most commonly used in the object position or after a transitive verb. A transitive always needs a Direct Object to follow it as opposed to an intransitive verb.

For example: I jog. This is a complete thought, so it is a sentence.

However, ‘I like’. Is not a sentence because it is not a complete thought. Notice that if I complete this sentence with a direct object it becomes a complete thought, therefore, a sentence:

I like pizza. (here pizza is the direct object of the verb ‘like’)

With English grammar, we can allow a direct object of a verb to become an entire clause. In the sentences below, the direct object has been underlined.

He believes that people should wear hats in cold weather. (transitive verb – believes)

He mentioned how people can live on the Moon. (transitive verb) – mentioned)

Note the subordinate conjunctions used here; how and that, on the IELTS exam you will use ‘why’ as a subordinate conjunction when asked for your opinion….. ‘and explain why’…

4. Compound-Complex Sentences:

A Compound-Complex must have at least two independent clauses and one dependent clause.

Try to remember the longest sentence in the English language is presently at *13,955 words in Jonathan Coe’s novel The Rotter’s Club. The following are different forms of Compound complex sentences (note the different positions of the independent and dependent clauses):

1. The men worked hard in the afternoon; it was a payday where they were to receive their bonus for the year. [ IC; IC DC]

 

1. Although the women worked in the rain, the work wasn’t difficult; moreover, they could talk while they worked. [DC, IC; moreover, IC DC]

 

iii.                 Dogs often pant when they are hot, and this helps them cool down. [IC DC, IC]

 

*Jones, R. (2014, October 3). Longest Sentence. Retrieved January 17, 2019, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/today/reports/archive/arts/sentence.shtml