Lessons

Build complex sentences.

Ten structures that turn short sentences into the connected ones CELPIP rewards. Each lesson has examples, common mistakes, a quiz and a printable PDF.

1. 01Relative clausesAdd detail about a person or thing without starting a new sentence.Free
2. 02ConcessionAdmit the other side, then make your point. The heart of a persuasive answer.Free
3. 03ConditionalsTalk about possibilities, advice and regrets with if, unless and provided that.Full plan
4. 04Participle clausesStart a sentence with an -ing or -ed form to sound fluent and concise.Full plan
5. 05Cause and resultExplain why something happened and what followed, with more than because and so.Full plan
6. 06Inversion for emphasisPut the verb before the subject to add force. A high-level structure, used once.Full plan
7. 07Noun clauses and indirect questionsAsk politely and report ideas: “Could you tell me what the next step is?”Full plan
8. 08Passive voice and reportingFocus on what happened, not who did it, and report opinions formally.Full plan
9. 09Cleft sentencesPut the spotlight on one idea: “What I need is more time.”Full plan
10. 10Contrast and comparisonWeigh two options clearly: the core skill of Writing Task 2 and Speaking Task 5.Full plan