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Grammar

Sentence Variety — Simple, Compound & Complex

The single biggest jump from CLB 7 to CLB 9+: combining ideas into varied sentence structures instead of writing short, choppy ones.

7 min read
Key strategies
  • 1.Simple = one idea. Compound = two equal ideas joined by and/but/so. Complex = a main idea + a dependent one (because, although, when).
  • 2.Raters reward a MIX of sentence types — all-short sentences read as basic; all-long ones read as tangled.
  • 3.Subordinators (although, while, since, whereas) show relationships between ideas and lift your writing.
  • 4.Avoid run-ons (two sentences with no connector) and comma splices (two sentences joined by only a comma).

Three sentence types

  • Simple — one independent clause (one complete idea):
    • "The plan failed."
  • Compound — two independent clauses joined by a coordinator (and, but, or, so, yet):
    • "The plan failed, but we learned a lot."
  • Complex — one independent clause + a dependent clause (using although, because, when, while, if, since):
    • "Although the plan failed, we learned a lot."

Why variety matters

A paragraph of only short sentences sounds basic:

✗ "The city is crowded. The buses are full. People are late. It is a problem."

The same ideas, combined, read as CLB 9+:

✓ "Because the city is so crowded, the buses are always full, which means people are constantly late — and that is a real problem."

Subordinators add sophistication

Words like although, whereas, while, since, even though signal a relationship and let you pack meaning in:

"While the cabin is cheaper, the hotel is more convenient."

Avoid two errors

  • Run-on: "It was late we went home." → add a connector or a period.
  • Comma splice: "It was late, we went home." → use a semicolon, a period, or so: "It was late, so we went home."

CELPIP application

Deliberately varying your sentences is the most reliable way to raise Readability. Aim for a mix: a short sentence for impact, a complex one to develop an idea.

Check yourself

A quick self-check on this lesson — pick an answer, then see the explanation. Not graded.

1. Which sentence is COMPLEX (has a dependent clause)?
2. Which is a comma splice (an error)?
3. Best for variety and CLB 9+?
4. Choose the correct connector: "___ the cabin is cheaper, the hotel is closer."

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