Keep your sentences clear by avoiding overly complex constructions in Sentence Skills questions.

What should you avoid in Sentence Skills questions? A quick truth: the biggest trap is trying to stuff too much into one sentence. In the realm of English tests like the Accuplacer, readers read for clarity first. If a sentence becomes a tangle of clauses, you lose the thread. So, what should you avoid? Overly complex sentences that may confuse the reader. Let me explain why that matters and how to keep things clean and readable.

Clear writing isn’t just a skill for tests; it’s a life hack

Think about how you text a friend, email a professor, or leave a note for a coworker. When you keep sentences simple and direct, your message lands. You don’t have to dull your voice to do it, either. You just remove the guesswork. On the surface, it might seem like long sentences show strength or polish, but readability loves restraint. When the brain has to parse cliff-diving structures, the message gets lost. In the end, your reader should feel like you’re guiding them, not juggling ideas in midair.

The pitfall: what “overly complex” really looks like

Now, what exactly counts as too much? Here are some signs to watch for:

• Chains of clauses that nest inside each other

• Extra phrases that don’t clearly push the main idea forward

• Heavy punctuation that creates roadblocks (think too many dashes or semicolon sprees)

• A single sentence that tries to cover several topics at once

If you’ve ever reread a sentence and found yourself pausing to untangle it, you’ve felt this pitfall first-hand. The problem isn’t a lack of ideas; it’s the way those ideas are packaged. Clarity suffers when a sentence carries more weight than it can safely bear.

A simple example helps a lot

Bad example (too complex):

"Although the committee, which had met after a long and sometimes contentious debate, finally reached a conclusion that surprised many members, because the evidence was both compelling and contradictory, which led to a pause in the decision-making process, which in turn delayed the rollout."

Good example (clear):

"The committee met after a long debate. The evidence was compelling and contradictory, so the decision took longer than expected."

Notice how the second version keeps one idea per sentence and uses straightforward punctuation? It’s not about dumbing down; it’s about making sure the reader isn’t lost in a maze of details.

The mechanics that support clarity

Clarity is a cousin of good listening. If you’re writing for a test like the English section of the Accuplacer, you’re essentially being asked to “talk” on the page in a way that a reader can easily follow. A few practical steps help:

• One main idea per sentence: If a sentence tries to carry two or three core messages, break it in two.

• Short to medium length is often best: Most sentences in everyday writing hover in the 12–20 word range. That keeps breath and rhythm natural.

• Use punctuation as traffic signals: Periods end ideas; commas, dashes, and semicolons help connect related thoughts—but don’t overdo them.

• Prefer active voice when possible: “The researcher found” beats “It was found by the researcher,” and it tends to read cleaner.

• Trim the clutter: If a word or a clause doesn’t push the point forward, drop it.

A quick exercise you can try

Take a sentence like:

"During the lecture, which many students attended despite the weather, because it was led by a renowned professor who had published several well-received books, it became apparent that the topic resonated with the audience."

Rewrite it in a simpler form:

"Many students attended the lecture despite the weather. The professor’s talk confirmed that the topic resonated with the audience."

Two slices of wisdom for life beyond tests

• Read your sentences aloud. If you stumble or trip over a phrase, that’s a signal to revise.

• Swap a long sentence for two shorter ones. You’ll often gain clarity without losing nuance.

• Don’t fear white space. A page that isn’t crowded feels easier to read, and that sense of ease is half the battle won.

The thin line between simple and blunt

Some writers worry that making sentences too simple strips away color or personality. Here’s the thing: you can keep flavor and voice while staying clear. Use vivid diction, confident rhythm, and well-chosen details—but ensure each sentence serves the idea you’re communicating. The goal isn’t to strip away style; it’s to make style legible.

A few practical, non-testy tips

• Vary sentence length on purpose. A short, punchy sentence can set up a longer one, like a drumbeat.

• Use transitions to guide readers. Words like “however,” “therefore,” and “consequently” help connect ideas smoothly.

• Keep your core sentence strong. If the main idea rests on a weak verb, find a sharper verb and rebuild.

• Watch for fragment temptation. A sentence fragment can be powerful in creative writing, but in standard academic or formal writing, it tends to stand out as a mistake. If you’re ever unsure, complete the thought in a full sentence.

Putting it all together in everyday writing

Whether you’re drafting an email, a report, or a short reflection, the same rule applies: prioritize clarity. Start with a clear main idea. Then add supporting details in a clean, organized sequence. And when in doubt, break a long thought into two sentences. Your readers will thank you with smoother comprehension and quicker grasp of your point.

A touch of humor and humanity

Let’s be honest: language is a living thing. We bite off more than we can chew sometimes, especially when we’re excited about a topic. That’s human. But the better we become at guiding others through our thoughts with tidy sentences, the less room there is for misinterpretation. It’s not about sounding stiff; it’s about making your words easy to follow. And yes, it’s perfectly fine to swap in a few colloquial touches when the setting allows—just don’t let them derail the argument you’re making.

Closing thought: aim for clarity, not complexity

In the end, the strongest sentences are the ones that feel almost effortless. They click from your brain to the page with minimal friction, and the reader travels through them with you, not around them. When you’re working on Sentence Skills in any English context, remember the core goal: straight, coherent communication. Avoid piling on complexity; favor crisp structure, precise punctuation, and a confident voice. If you can do that, you’ll be well on your way to writing that feels clear, credible, and human.

If you’d like a quick reference, keep this in mind:

• The main thing to avoid is overly complex sentences that may confuse the reader.

• Favor one idea per sentence, then connect ideas with smooth transitions.

• Read aloud, revise, and trim. Your future self will thank you for the clarity you preserved.

And yes, clarity is a universal skill. It helps in a dorm room debate, a college discussion, or a candid email to a professor. It’s the kind of thing that feels almost effortless once you get the hang of it. So next time you sit down to write, ask yourself: does this sentence guide the reader clearly from start to finish? If the answer is yes, you’re probably on the right track. If not, consider a cleaner break or a simpler construction. The path to better writing is walking a straight line—one sentence at a time.