Characteristics

of Academic
Writing
Feature 6
Complex Sentences
Complex Sentences
Complex Sentences
• Complex sentences consist of an
independent clause and a dependent
clause.
• In academic writing, they appear often
because they can show the relationship
between ideas.
• Note that the goal of academic writing
is not just to report key findings but
also to analyze, evaluate, and
synthesize concepts to give birth to new
insights.
• The use of complex sentences helps us
achieve this purpose.
 Complex Sentences

EXAMPLE 1
[Clause 1] Swallows migrate to southeastern regions
[Clause 2] whenever air temperature plunges below 10
degrees Celsius.
Example 1 shows a cause-and-effect relationship
between the two ideas. The falling temperature causes
swallows to migrate.
 EXAMPLE 2

[Clause 1] The inhabitants of the Philippine

Islands had been using a writing system
called baybayin [Clause 2] before the
Complex Spaniards arrived.
Sentences
By stating that baybayin was already being
used before the Spaniards’ arrival, Example
2 implies that the native Filipinos already
had their systematic means of
communication.
 EXAMPLE 3
[Clause 1] Math scores have started to improve [Clause 2] as students
began using Method A.
Example 3 shows a positive correlation between the use of Method A and
improved math scores. (Correlation: two things happening together which
do not necessarily have a cause-and-effect relationship.)

Complex Sentences
Complex Sentences
• Simple sentences can be combined
to form one complex sentence
either through relative clauses or
subordinating clauses.
• A relative clause introduces an idea
using a relative pronoun (which,
that, who, or whose) while a
subordinating clause connects two
ideas using a subordinating
conjunction (because, as, when, if,
although, etc.)
Complex Sentences

THROUGH RELATIVE CLAUSE

The Freedom of Information Bill, [relative clause] which is said to give citizens
access to any government data, is being debated in a series of Lower House
hearings.

THROUGH SUBORDINATING CLAUSE

The data presented was limited [subordinate clause] because the researchers faced logistical
constraints.