Summary of Complex Sentences in GRE English

Complex sentences are common in GRE English exams and mastering them can significantly improve your reading comprehension and writing skills. Here is a summary of the types of complex sentences you may encounter:

Adjective Clauses: These clauses modify nouns and pronouns in the main clause. They usually start with relative pronouns such as "who," "which," or "that." Example: "The book that I read yesterday was fascinating."

Adverbial Clauses: These clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs in the main clause. They often start with subordinating conjunctions like "although," "because," or "while." Example: "Although it was raining, we went for a walk."

Noun Clauses: These clauses function as nouns in the sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements. Example: "What he said surprised me."

• Identify the Main Clause: Understanding the main clause will help you grasp the overall meaning of the sentence.
• Pay Attention to Subordinating Conjunctions: Recognizing these words will help you identify the type of complex sentence being used.
• Practice Punctuation: Proper punctuation is crucial in complex sentences to clarify the relationship between clauses.
• Break Down the Sentence: If a sentence seems overwhelming, try breaking it down into smaller parts to analyze each clause separately.
• Read Widely: Exposing yourself to a variety of complex sentences in different contexts will improve your comprehension skills.

"Although she had studied hard for the exam, Maria was still nervous about the results because the material was challenging."

In this sentence, "Although she had studied hard for the exam" is the adverbial clause, and "Maria was still nervous about the results" is the main clause. The conjunction "because" introduces another adverbial clause, "because the material was challenging."

Practice breaking down sentences like this to enhance your understanding of complex structures.

Remember, mastering complex sentences takes time and practice. Keep working on your skills, and you will see improvement in your GRE English performance.