C1 Lesson 1: Advanced Complex Sentence Structures: Accuracy and Effect
Welcome to C1-level writing. You have already mastered simple, compound, and standard complex sentences. At this stage, our goal is to enhance your writing with greater sophistication1 and stylistic variety.
Today, we will learn how to use advanced structures like noun clauses and participial phrases to express complex ideas more concisely and elegantly.
Advanced Structure 1: Noun Clauses
A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun; it can be the subject or object of a sentence. They often start with words like what, why, how, that, or whether.
Noun Clause as the Subject: (The entire clause is the "who" or "what")
What the government decides to do next is critical for the economy.
(The "thing" that is critical is the entire clause).Noun Clause as the Object: (The entire clause receives the action of the verb)
The public does not know why the decision was made.
(The thing the public doesn't know is the entire clause).Advanced Structure 2: Participial Phrases
A participial phrase2 is a phrase starting with a verb (in its -ing or -ed form) that acts like an adjective. It's a very elegant way to add descriptive information or combine sentences.
Present Participle (-ing): Used for an action the noun is doing.
Hoping to get a better view, the tourists climbed to the top of the temple.
(This phrase describes "the tourists". It concisely explains why they climbed.)Past Participle (-ed): Used for an action done *to* the noun.
Built in the 12th century, Angkor Wat remains a masterpiece of Khmer architecture.
(This phrase describes "Angkor Wat". It concisely replaces "Angkor Wat, which was built in the 12th century,...")From Simple to Sophisticated
Look at how these structures can combine several simple ideas into one fluid sentence.
Simple B1/B2 Sentences:
The manager was concerned. The project was behind schedule. She called a meeting to discuss the problem.
Sophisticated C1 Sentence ✅:
Concerned that the project was behind schedule, the manager called a meeting to discuss what should be done.
✍️ C1 Sentence Sophistication Checklist
- ✔️ Can I combine two sentences into one by using a participial phrase to introduce my main clause?
- ✔️ Can I use a noun clause as the subject or object of my sentence to express a complex idea?
- ✔️ Does my sentence structure create the right emphasis and flow?
- ✔️ Is my use of these advanced structures grammatically accurate?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Combine the Sentences
Choose the best option to combine the two simple sentences into one more sophisticated sentence.
Sentences: The company launched a new marketing campaign. It hoped to attract more customers.
- The company launched a new marketing campaign, and it hoped to attract more customers.
- Hoping to attract more customers, the company launched a new marketing campaign.
- The company, which hoped to attract more customers, launched a new marketing campaign.
Answer: B. This option effectively uses a present participial phrase to create a concise and elegant sentence. While A and C are grammatically correct, B demonstrates a more advanced and fluid style.
📝 Homework: Refine Your Writing
Your homework is to practice using these advanced structures to make your writing more sophisticated.
Rewrite the following sentences in your notebook by combining them.
- He was exhausted from the long flight. He went directly to his hotel to sleep. (Combine using a past participial phrase).
- The government has implemented new policies. It is unclear if these policies will be effective. (Combine using a noun clause as the subject).
- The archeologist discovered an ancient artifact. She was digging carefully in the ruins. (Combine using a present participial phrase).
Vocabulary Glossary
- Sophistication: (Noun) - ភាពទំនើប - The quality of being advanced, complex, and showing a high level of skill and intelligence. ↩
- Participial Phrase: (Noun Phrase) - ឃ្លា participle - A phrase beginning with a participle (-ing or -ed verb form) that acts as an adjective to modify a noun. ↩
- Noun Clause: (Noun Phrase) - ឃ្លានាម - A dependent clause that acts as a noun (subject, object, or complement) in a sentence. ↩
- Concise: (Adjective) - សង្ខេប - Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive. ↩
- Effect (stylistic): (Noun) - ឥទ្ធិពល - The particular impression or feeling that a piece of writing creates. ↩