Grammar Mechanics: Sentence Variety & Complex Syntactic Structures

Grammar Mechanics: Sentence Variety & Complex Syntactic Structures

1. Moving Beyond Simple Sentences

Scoring in the 26–30 range on TOEFL Writing requires demonstrating syntactic flexibility. Avoid stringing together repetitive Subject + Verb + Object sentences.

2. Three High-Scoring Sentence Structures

A. Inverted Conditionals

• Standard: If governments invest in renewable energy, emissions will decline.
• Advanced: Should governments invest in renewable energy, emissions will precipitously decline.

B. Participial Modifiers

• Standard: The university expanded the campus shuttle route, and it reduced traffic.
• Advanced: By expanding the campus shuttle route, the university substantially mitigated peak-hour vehicular congestion.

C. Cleft Sentences for Emphasis

• Standard: Financial aid policies concern incoming international students most.
• Advanced: What concerns incoming international students most is the allocation of institutional financial aid.