IELTS Clause Combining Practice Sessions

Clause Combining

Rule Explanation

Clause combining (e.g., joining two independent ideas into a single complex or compound sentence) is crucial for varied and coherent IELTS responses. Examiners reward your ability to use different structures, demonstrating both grammatical range and cohesion. Using correct clause combining in writing or speaking sections could help you get a better band score.

1. Relative Clauses (e.g., who, which, that)

   • Definition: A relative clause modifies a noun, providing essential (defining) or extra (non-defining) information without starting a new sentence. For example, “who studied” in "The student who studied hard passed the exam." helps specify which student.
   • Usage in IELTS: Defining clauses present precise details; non-defining clauses add side information.
   • Examples:
     • Correct: The archaeologist who discovered the tomb published his findings. (Defines which archaeologist.)
     • Correct: My new laptop, which I bought last week, works perfectly. (Non-defining extra detail.)
   • Common Mistakes: Omitting commas in non-defining clauses: "My car which is red is fast." ❌

2. Subordinating Conjunctions (e.g., because, although, while)

   • Definition: These words introduce dependent clauses that show cause, contrast, time, or condition.
   • Usage in IELTS: They link ideas logically, improving coherence and task achievement.
   • Examples:
     • Correct: Although it rained heavily, we enjoyed the picnic. (Contrast)
     • Correct: Since she had no car, she took the bus. (Reason)
     • Correct: While the experiment continued, the results remained inconclusive. (Time)
   • Common Mistakes: Missing comma after the subordinate clause: "Although it was late I continued studying." ❌

3. Participial Clauses (present participle = -ing, past participle)

   • Definition: A reduced clause starting with a participle to denote time, reason, or condition, making sentences concise.
   • Usage in IELTS: Helps vary sentence openings and maintain reader interest.
   • Ensure subject agreement: the subject of the participle clause and main clause must be the same.
   • Examples:
     • Correct: Walking along the beach, she found a message in a bottle. (Present participle; same subject.)
     • Correct: Damaged by the hail, the car required extensive repairs. (Past participle; shows result.)
   • Common Mistakes: Dangling modifier: "Walking along the beach, a bottle was found." ❌

Practice tip: When preparing for IELTS, highlight sentences in reading passages and rewrite them using different combining structures. This boosts accuracy and confidence.

Examples

• Correct: The student who studied hard passed the exam. (Relative clause links subject and action.)
• Correct: Although it rained heavily, the match continued. (Subordinating conjunction for contrast.)
• Correct: Having finished the report on time, she left the office. (Participial clause showing sequence and reason.)

Practice Question

Combine the following sentences into one complex sentence:

"The museum shut early. We couldn’t see the new exhibit."

A) To the museum shutting early, we couldn’t see the new exhibit.
B) Because the museum had shut early, we couldn’t see the new exhibit.
C) The museum had shut early, we couldn’t see the new exhibit.
D) Since the museum shutting early prevented us from seeing the new exhibit.

Show Answer

Answer: B) Because the museum had shut early, we couldn’t see the new exhibit.
Explanation: Option B correctly uses the subordinating conjunction “Because” and past perfect “had shut” to indicate that the closing happened before our attempt to see the exhibit.

Key Takeaways

• Master relative clauses, subordinating conjunctions, and participial clauses to combine ideas effectively.
• Avoid run-on sentences by using clear connectors and correct punctuation.
• Practice sentence structure suggestions with Lingo Copilot.