Sentences that show a relationship
| English | Chinese | Pinyin |
|---|---|---|
| simple sentence | 简单句 | jiǎn dān jù |
| compound sentence | 并列句 | bìng liè jù |
| complex sentence | 复合句 | fù hé jù |
| subordination | 从属 | cóng shǔ |
| connectives | 连接词 | lián jiē cí |
| run-on sentence | 流水句 | liú shuǐ jù |
Two ideas, one sentence
- The survey was small. The result was clear. Two facts, no relationship stated.
- Although the survey was small, the result was clear. Same facts, and now the reader knows which one matters.
- Sentence structure is how you show a relationship, and academic writing is mostly relationships.
Simple, compound, complex
- A simple sentence 简单句 has one clause.
- A compound sentence 并列句 joins two equal clauses with and, but, so.
- A complex sentence 复合句 joins a main clause to a subordinate one with because, although, when, which.
"Because the metro opened in 2021, commuting times fell." What kind of sentence is this?
A subordinate clause (Because…) plus a main clause. It is also the only version that states a cause.
Subordination shows the weight
- Subordination 从属 puts the less important idea in the subordinate clause.
- Although it rained, the trip was a success praises the trip. Although the trip was a success, it rained complains about the weather.
- Same two facts, opposite emphasis, decided entirely by which clause is subordinate.
Which sentence praises the trip rather than complaining about the weather?
The main clause carries the weight. Put the rain in the subordinate clause and the success is the point.
Combine these into ONE complex sentence that emphasises the result: "The survey was small." "The result was clear."
"Although the survey was small, the result was clear." The subordinate clause holds the concession; the main clause holds your point.
Three versions of one idea.
Simple: The metro opened in 2021. Commuting times fell.
Compound: The metro opened in 2021, and commuting times fell.
Complex: Because the metro opened in 2021, commuting times fell.
Only the third states a cause. In a report, the third is the only one that answers "why".
Connectives signal the relationship
- Connectives 连接词 tell the reader what is coming: however (contrast), therefore (consequence), moreover (addition), for instance (example).
- Use one that fits. However between two agreeing sentences confuses the reader more than no connective at all.
- Vary the length of your sentences. All long is as hard to read as all short.
"The survey was small, the result was clear, we repeated it." is correctly punctuated.
It is a run-on: three clauses joined by commas alone. Use full stops, a semicolon, or connectives.
Fill the gap: "The sample was small. ____, the result was consistent across all three sites."
The two sentences pull against each other, so the connective must signal contrast.
Put your main point in the main clause. If an examiner reads only your main clauses, they should still get your argument. That single habit fixes most "well written but hard to follow" feedback.
A run-on sentence 流水句 joins clauses with commas alone: The survey was small, the result was clear, we repeated it. Use a full stop, a semicolon, or a connective. This is the most frequent structural error in the module's written work.