Understanding Complex Sentence Structures

LNAT passages frequently contain long, complex sentences with multiple clauses, qualifications, and embedded ideas. If you cannot parse these sentences accurately, you will misunderstand the argument and answer questions incorrectly. This lesson teaches you how to break down complex sentences and extract their core meaning.

---

Why LNAT Passages Use Complex Sentences

Academic and argumentative writing tends to use complex sentences because:

• Nuanced arguments require qualifications and exceptions
• Multiple ideas often need to be connected within a single thought
• Formal register favours longer, more structured sentences
• Persuasive writing uses subordinate clauses to anticipate and address objections

The LNAT tests your ability to handle this kind of writing. A sentence that looks intimidating at first glance often has a simple core meaning — the skill is finding it.

---

Sentence Structures You Will Encounter

1. Simple Sentences (Subject + Verb + Object)

Even in complex passages, some sentences are straightforward:

"The government rejected the proposal."

Core meaning: Government rejected proposal. No ambiguity.

2. Compound Sentences (Two Independent Clauses Joined by a Conjunction)

"The government rejected the proposal, but several opposition MPs continued to support it."

Two separate ideas joined by "but". Each clause could stand alone. The conjunction signals the relationship (contrast).

3. Complex Sentences (Main Clause + Subordinate Clause)

"Although the evidence strongly supported the proposal, the government rejected it."

The subordinate clause ("Although the evidence strongly supported the proposal") provides context. The main clause ("the government rejected it") carries the core meaning.

4. Sentences with Multiple Embedded Clauses

This is where things get challenging:

"The proposal, which had been developed over three years by a cross-party committee and which drew on evidence from multiple international case studies, was rejected by the government despite widespread support from legal professionals."

How to parse this:

Part	Function
"The proposal"	Subject
"which had been developed... case studies"	Embedded clause (additional information about the proposal)
"was rejected by the government"	Main verb phrase (the core action)
"despite widespread support from legal professionals"	Subordinate phrase (adds context)

Core meaning: The proposal was rejected by the government.

Everything else is additional context — important for understanding the passage, but the core action is simple.

---

How to Parse Complex Sentences

Step 1: Find the Main Verb

Every sentence has a main verb — the action or state of being that drives the sentence. Find it, and you have found the core.

"The minister, having consulted extensively with stakeholders and having considered the financial implications, decided to proceed with the reform."

Main verb: decided. The rest tells you about the process leading to that decision.

Step 2: Identify the Subject and Object

Once you have the main verb, ask: Who did what to what?

The minister decided to proceed with the reform.

Subject: The minister. Verb: decided. Object/complement: to proceed with the reform.

Step 3: Treat Subordinate Clauses as Parenthetical

Mentally place brackets around subordinate clauses to isolate the main message:

"The minister, (having consulted extensively with stakeholders and having considered the financial implications), decided to proceed with the reform."

Read the sentence without the bracketed section first. Then add it back in for full understanding.

Step 4: Watch for Negation and Qualification

Complex sentences often contain double negatives or heavy qualification that can reverse or weaken the meaning:

Sentence	Apparent Meaning	Actual Meaning
"It is not unreasonable to suggest..."	Sounds negative	Actually means: "It is reasonable to suggest..." (double negative = positive)
"The evidence does not conclusively disprove the theory."	Sounds like the theory is wrong	Actually means: "The theory might still be correct."
"Few would disagree that reform is needed."	Sounds ambiguous	Actually means: "Most people agree that reform is needed."

Critical Skill: When you encounter a double negative, consciously translate it into a positive statement. "Not uncommon" = common. "Not without merit" = has some merit. "Cannot be denied" = must be accepted.

---

Subordinate Clause Types

Understanding the different types of subordinate clauses helps you determine their function: