Level 1: Foundations of Complex Writing
Level 2: Expanding Sentence Range
Level 3: Cohesion and Flow
Level 4: Advanced Structures
Level 5: Mastery and Exam Practice
Grammar for PTE Summarize Written Text
Master the specific grammatical strategy for PTE's Summarize Written Text: writing one complex, information-dense sentence of 5-75 words that captures the main idea of a passage.
3 lessons · 16 exercises
Lessons
3The One-Sentence Summary Strategy
5 exercises · 30 min
Key structures
Main idea, which + relative clause, + result/consequence
The + nominalization + of + X + by + Y + has led to/resulted in + nominalization
Subject + verb, + while/whereas + contrast, + discourse marker + consequence
The PTE Summarize Written Text (SWT) task presents you with a passage of roughly 200–300 words and asks you to capture its main idea in a single sentence of 5 to 75 words. That is the entire task — no introduction, no body paragraphs, no conclusion. Just one sentence.
This constraint makes SWT one of the most grammatically demanding tasks in PTE. You must compress multiple ideas — a central argument, supporting evidence, sometimes a contrasting view — into one grammatically correct complex sentence. The challenge is not only what to include, but how to fit it into a single sentence without errors.
Two grammatical tools are essential for this task: nominalization and relative clauses.
Nominalization converts verbs and adjectives into noun phrases, compressing entire clauses into compact phrases. Instead of writing "Scientists discovered that plastic damages marine life," you write "The discovery of plastic's damage to marine life..." — saving several words while sounding more formal. This is vital for staying within the 75-word limit.
Relative clauses allow you to embed additional information without starting a new sentence. If the main idea is "Renewable energy is transforming global power markets," you can add context: "Renewable energy, which has seen unprecedented investment in recent years, is transforming global power markets." The relative clause adds depth without breaking the one-sentence rule.
The core strategy works in five steps:
First, read the passage and identify the single most important idea. Ask yourself: what is this passage mainly about?
Second, select one or two supporting points that are essential to the main idea. Ignore minor details and examples.
Third, draft a sentence with the main idea as the core clause.
Fourth, embed supporting information using relative clauses (which, who, that), participle phrases (resulting in, leading to, prompting), and connectors (while, although, however).
Fifth, check your word count — it must be between 5 and 75 — and verify that the sentence is grammatically complete: one main clause with embedded subordinate structures.
The PTE scoring algorithm rewards grammatical complexity and accuracy. A well-constructed sentence with nominalization, relative clauses, and appropriate connectors scores highly, even if it does not capture every detail from the passage.
Research conducted by the University of Melbourne, which tracked 1,500 participants over three years, has demonstrated that regular exposure to natural environments significantly reduces stress levels, prompting state governments to increase funding for urban parks.
This summary condenses a three-sentence passage into one sentence using three key techniques. The nominalized subject ('Research conducted by the University of Melbourne') sets a formal academic tone. The relative clause ('which tracked 1,500 participants over three years') embeds the study's methodology without a separate sentence. The participle phrase ('prompting state governments to increase funding...') captures the consequence efficiently. The specific cortisol data from the original passage is deliberately omitted — it is supporting evidence, not the main idea — showing that selection is as important as structure.
While online education, which has grown dramatically since 2020, offers flexibility and reduced costs for working adults, critics argue that it lacks the social interaction and hands-on experience provided by traditional classrooms.
This model demonstrates the concessive structure for passages presenting two sides. The sentence opens with 'While' to signal contrast immediately, and a relative clause ('which has grown dramatically since 2020') embeds contextual detail. The two opposing views are balanced within one sentence: the advantages (flexibility, reduced costs) and the disadvantages (lack of social interaction). The detail about 'fully accredited degree programmes' from the original passage is absorbed into the broader claim about growth, showing intelligent compression.
The rapid development of artificial intelligence, in which governments worldwide — particularly China and the United States, with combined annual investment exceeding $100 billion — are investing heavily, is predicted to cause significant job displacement in manufacturing and administrative sectors.
This model shows heavy nominalization ('The rapid development of artificial intelligence') combined with an embedded parenthetical clause to include spending data. The passive construction 'is predicted to cause' appropriately hedges the claim, acknowledging uncertainty. The sentence is dense at 38 words but remains grammatically sound, demonstrating how nominalization allows maximum information density within the 75-word limit.
(PTE SWT requires ONE sentence only. Additional sentences are automatically scored as zero for form, regardless of content quality. All supporting ideas must be embedded using relative clauses, participle phrases, or connectors.)
(You must select only the most essential information. Including every detail pushes you over the 75-word limit. Choose the main idea and one or two key supporting points, and compress the rest using nominalization or omit it entirely.)
(The summary must capture the main idea of the entire passage, not a supporting detail. Before writing, read the whole passage and ask: 'What is the ONE thing this passage is mostly about?' That is your main clause.)
(In English, 'although' and 'but' are both concessive connectors. Using both in the same sentence is redundant and counts as a grammatical error. Use one or the other — never both.)
Exercises
Plastic pollution in the world's oceans has reached alarming levels. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year, harming marine ecosystems and entering the human food chain. Research suggests that by 2050, there could be more plastic than fish in the ocean by weight. Governments have begun implementing bans on single-use plastics, but enforcement remains inconsistent across developing nations.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, approximately 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year, and research suggests that by 2050 the weight of ocean plastic couldRapid urbanisation is transforming the developing world. The United Nations projects that by 2030, the global urban population will reach 5 billion, with the majority of growth occurring in Africa and Asia. This mass migration to cities is straining existing infrastructure, including housing, transportation, and sanitation systems. While urbanisation creates economic opportunities, it also leads to overcrowding, pollution, and increased inequality.
The United Nations projects that rapid urbanisation,1. Solar energy has become the cheapest source of electricity in many countries.
2. The cost of solar panels has fallen by 90% over the past decade.
3. This dramatic cost reduction has accelerated the transition away from fossil fuels.
4. However, energy storage remains a significant challenge.
Start with the cause (falling costs) as your main clause, then embed the result.
Use a relative clause with 'which' to include the cost data.
Use 'although' to introduce the contrasting challenge at the end.
Education technology has transformed classroom learning. It provides personalised experiences for students. This has improved academic outcomes in many schools.
The government launched a new digital literacy programme. It targets rural communities. The programme aims to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation estimates that approximately one-third of all food produced for human consumption — roughly 1.3 billion tonnes per year — is lost or wasted along the supply chain. In developing countries, most food loss occurs during production and processing due to inadequate infrastructure, while in developed nations the majority of waste happens at the retail and consumer level. This global food waste not only represents a significant economic loss estimated at $940 billion annually but also contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions, as decomposing food in landfills produces methane. Experts have called for a comprehensive approach involving improved storage technology, supply chain optimisation, and consumer awareness campaigns to address this growing crisis.
min: 5 words
max: 75 words
nominalization (1+)
relative clause (1+)
participle phrase or concessive connector (1+)
Information Compression Techniques
4 exercises · 30 min
Key structures
Appositive compression: 'Dr. Smith, a leading researcher, found that...'
Nominalization compression: 'the discovery of X' (replaces 'scientists discovered X')
You know how to write one complex sentence that captures the main idea. The next question is: how do you fit MORE information into FEWER words?
In PTE Summarize Written Text, you have a maximum of 75 words, but passages are 200–300 words long. You cannot include everything. However, the more key information you accurately capture, the higher your content score. This lesson teaches three compression techniques that allow you to pack more meaning into fewer words.
The first technique is appositives. An appositive is a noun phrase placed directly beside another noun phrase to identify or describe it. Instead of a full relative clause, you use a compact noun phrase. Compare: 'Dr. Chen, who is a leading researcher at the University of Sydney, found that...' versus 'Dr. Chen, a leading researcher at the University of Sydney, found that...' The appositive saves five words while conveying identical information. In a 75-word limit, those savings accumulate quickly.
The second technique is reduced relative clauses. When a relative clause uses a present or past participle, you can often drop the relative pronoun and auxiliary verb. For example: 'Students who are living in urban areas tend to perform better' becomes 'Students living in urban areas tend to perform better.' Similarly: 'The policy, which was introduced in 2019, has had limited impact' becomes 'The policy, introduced in 2019, has had limited impact.' Each reduction saves three to four words.
The third and most powerful technique is nominalization compression. Instead of a full clause with a subject and verb, use a nominalized noun phrase. 'Scientists discovered that exercise improves memory' becomes 'The discovery that exercise improves memory...' 'The government invested heavily in infrastructure' becomes 'Heavy government investment in infrastructure...' Each nominalization can save three to five words.
When you combine all three techniques — appositives, reduced clauses, and nominalization — you can compress 30 to 40 per cent more information into the same word count. The critical skill is knowing WHAT to compress. Always compress supporting details, background information, and methodology. Never compress the main idea — it must remain the clear core of your sentence.
[Original] Scientists at NASA, who have been monitoring satellite data for over two decades, have found that climate change is causing significant changes to global weather patterns, and extreme weather events have increased by 40% since 2000. This has led to billions of dollars in damage annually.
[Compressed] NASA scientists, who have been monitoring satellite data for over two decades, have found that climate change is causing a 40% increase in extreme weather events since 2000, resulting in billions of dollars in annual damage.
The compressed version applies two techniques. First, 'Scientists at NASA' becomes 'NASA scientists' — an attributive noun phrase that saves one word and sounds more natural. Second, 'This has led to billions of dollars in damage annually' is compressed to 'resulting in billions of dollars in annual damage' using a participle phrase, saving three words. The relative clause ('who have been monitoring...') is retained because it adds important credibility information. The detail about 'significant changes to global weather patterns' is absorbed into the more specific statistic, eliminating redundancy.
[Original] Governments around the world are trying to reduce carbon emissions, and they are investing billions in renewable energy, but progress remains slow because fossil fuel companies continue to resist change.
[Compressed] Despite heavy government investment in renewable energy aimed at reducing carbon emissions, progress remains slow due to continued fossil fuel industry resistance.
Three clauses are compressed into one through nominalization. 'Governments are investing' becomes 'heavy government investment.' 'Trying to reduce carbon emissions' becomes 'aimed at reducing carbon emissions.' 'Fossil fuel companies continue to resist change' becomes 'continued fossil fuel industry resistance.' The contrast is maintained with 'Despite' and 'due to,' but the sentence is roughly half the original length — from 28 words to 22 words.
[Original] Professor Williams, who is the head of the department and who has published over 200 papers, argued that the current approach is insufficient.
[Compressed] Professor Williams, head of the department and author of over 200 publications, argued that the current approach is insufficient.
Two relative clauses ('who is the head of the department' and 'who has published over 200 papers') are compressed into two appositive noun phrases ('head of the department' and 'author of over 200 publications'). The information is identical, but the word count drops from 24 to 18 — a 25 per cent saving. This demonstrates how appositives are especially effective for compressing biographical or professional details about people mentioned in passages.
(When using participle phrases, the subject of the main clause must be the agent performing the participle action. 'Having been discovered' implies that 'the increase' did the discovering, which is illogical. This is a dangling modifier — a common result of over-aggressive compression.)
(Not every verb should be nominalised. Over-nominalisation creates dense, awkward sentences that are difficult to read. Use nominalisation where it saves words and sounds natural — typically for the main action or the key finding. If a nominalised form does not exist as a standard English word (e.g., 'rapidisation'), choose a different construction.)
(An appositive must directly follow the noun it describes. In the error, 'a researcher at Oxford' is placed after the verb 'was,' creating confusion about what it modifies. Move the appositive next to the noun it identifies.)
Exercises
Professor Chen, who is a leading expert in artificial intelligence at Stanford University, warned that autonomous weapons could destabilise international security.
The report, which was published by the World Health Organisation in 2023, recommended that governments increase public health spending.
Scientists discovered that microplastics are present in human blood. This discovery has raised serious health concerns.
PASSAGE: A comprehensive meta-analysis published in The Lancet, which examined data from over 250,000 participants across 35 countries, found that excessive social media use correlates with increased rates of anxiety and depression among adolescents. The researchers identified social comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption as key mechanisms. However, moderate social media use was found to strengthen social connections and provide access to mental health resources.
STUDENT SUMMARY: A study in The Lancet found social media causes anxiety and depression in teenagers, but it can also be good for social connections.
1. The student summary uses the verb 'causes.' Is this accurate based on the passage? Explain the difference and identify the correct word from the passage.
2. The student summary uses 'teenagers' while the passage uses 'adolescents.' Does this matter? Explain.
3. How many sentences does the student summary contain, and why is this a problem for PTE SWT?
1. Researchers investigated the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.
2. They found that even mild sleep deprivation significantly impaired decision-making ability.
3. The findings have implications for workplace safety policies.
Nominalise the first sentence: 'Researchers investigated...' can become 'An investigation into...'
Use the passive or a reporting verb to introduce the finding: 'has revealed that...'
Attach the implication using 'with + noun phrase': 'with implications for...'
The relationship between social media use and mental health has been the subject of extensive research in recent years. A comprehensive meta-analysis published in The Lancet, which examined data from over 250,000 participants across 35 countries, found a significant correlation between excessive social media use and increased rates of anxiety and depression, particularly among adolescents. The researchers identified several mechanisms, including social comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption. However, the study also noted that moderate social media use could have positive effects, such as strengthening social connections and providing access to mental health resources.
min: 5 words
max: 75 words
appositive or reduced clause (1+)
nominalization (1+)
concessive connector (1+)
Timed Summarize Written Text Practice
3 exercises · 30 min
Key structures
All compression and embedding techniques
You have the strategy from Lesson 1 and the compression tools from Lesson 2. Now it is time to perform under exam conditions.
In PTE, you have 10 minutes for Summarize Written Text. That includes reading time. A realistic time breakdown looks like this:
Minutes 1–3: Read the passage carefully. Identify the main idea and one to two supporting points. Underline or mentally note key phrases.
Minutes 4–7: Draft your sentence. Start with the main clause expressing the core idea. Embed supporting information using the techniques you have learned. Use connectors — while, although, however, resulting in, leading to — to link ideas smoothly.
Minutes 8–9: Edit. This is where you earn or lose critical points. Check the following: Is it one sentence only? Is the word count between 5 and 75? Is the main idea clearly expressed? Are there any grammar errors, especially subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and article use? Are connectors used correctly?
Minute 10: Final check. Read the sentence once more, aloud if possible.
The most common mistake in timed practice is rushing straight into writing without planning. Students who skip the reading-and-planning phase tend to summarise a detail rather than the main idea, or they write sentences that exceed 75 words because they included too much information.
The second most common mistake is failing to edit. Under time pressure, students submit their first draft without checking for errors. Even a single grammar mistake can significantly reduce your score on the PTE algorithm. Always reserve at least two minutes for editing.
Self-assessment after each practice is critical. Use the PTE SWT rubric: Content (did you capture the main idea?), Form (one sentence, 5–75 words?), Grammar (error-free complex structure?), and Vocabulary (appropriate academic word choice?). Scoring yourself honestly after each practice attempt will show you exactly where to focus your improvement efforts.
[Passage] The global population is ageing rapidly. According to the United Nations, the number of people aged 60 and over is expected to double by 2050, reaching 2.1 billion. This demographic shift presents significant challenges for healthcare systems, pension funds, and labour markets. In response, some countries have raised the retirement age, while others have invested in automation to compensate for workforce shortages. However, experts warn that these measures alone may not be sufficient to address the economic and social implications of an ageing population.
[Summary] The rapid ageing of the global population, which is expected to double to 2.1 billion by 2050 according to the United Nations, presents significant challenges for healthcare, pensions, and labour markets, and while some countries have responded by raising retirement ages and investing in automation, experts warn that these measures may prove insufficient.
This 62-word summary captures the main idea (ageing population presents challenges), the key statistic (double to 2.1 billion by 2050), the responses (retirement age, automation), and the expert warning — all in one grammatically correct sentence. The relative clause ('which is expected to double...') embeds the demographic data. The concessive structure ('while some countries have responded...') introduces the contrast. The detail about 'economic and social implications' is absorbed by listing the specific sectors (healthcare, pensions, labour markets), demonstrating intelligent selection.
[Passage] Sleep deprivation has become a widespread public health concern. Studies show that adults who sleep fewer than six hours per night face increased risks of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Despite this, modern work culture often encourages long hours and limited rest. Some researchers have proposed that governments should regulate working hours more strictly to protect employee health.
[Summary] Research has indicated that sleep deprivation, which increases the risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, has become a widespread public health concern that some researchers believe governments should address through stricter regulation of working hours.
At 39 words, this summary is concise but covers the main idea (sleep deprivation is a public health concern), the evidence (increased disease risk), and the proposed solution (government regulation). The relative clause ('which increases the risk of...') embeds the evidence, and the final clause ('that some researchers believe governments should address...') introduces the solution. The passage's detail about modern work culture encouraging long hours is omitted as secondary context, keeping the sentence focused and within the word limit.
(A summary must reflect the specific focus of the passage, not a vague generalisation. 'Very important' could describe anything. If the passage is about technology in education, the summary must mention education. Always identify the passage's specific topic before writing.)
(Two separate sentences are not allowed in PTE SWT. The supporting idea must be embedded as a relative clause, participle phrase, or other subordinate structure within the single summary sentence.)
(Maintain consistent tense within the sentence. When reporting current research findings, use the present perfect ('have discovered') with the present tense for ongoing situations. Mixing past simple ('discovered') with present ('is accelerating') creates a logical inconsistency — the discovery is relevant now, so the present perfect is preferred.)
Exercises
Water scarcity affects more than 40% of the global population, a figure that the United Nations expects to rise significantly in the coming decades. Climate change, population growth, and inefficient water management are the primary drivers of this crisis. In sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, millions of people lack access to clean drinking water, leading to widespread health problems including waterborne diseases. Desalination technology offers a potential solution, but its high energy requirements and cost make it impractical for many developing nations. Experts argue that a combination of improved infrastructure, water recycling, and international cooperation is necessary to address the growing crisis.
min: 5 words
max: 75 words
complex sentence with subordinate clause (1+)
nominalization or appositive (1+)
appropriate connector (while/although/however/resulting in)
Technology is changing education. Many schools now use tablets and computers. Students can learn at their own pace. This is good because it helps different types of learners. However, some people worry that technology reduces face-to-face interaction. They think traditional teaching is better for social skills.
The commercialisation of space exploration has accelerated dramatically in the twenty-first century. Private companies such as SpaceX and Blue Origin have reduced launch costs by developing reusable rocket technology, making space more accessible than ever before. This has led to a surge in satellite launches for communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. However, the rapid increase in orbital objects has raised concerns about space debris, which poses a growing threat to both manned and unmanned missions. Scientists have warned that without international regulations governing space traffic, the risk of collisions could increase exponentially, potentially rendering certain orbits unusable for future generations.
min: 5 words
max: 75 words
complex sentence (2+ subordinate structures)
nominalization (1+)
concessive connector or contrast structure (1+)
Unit Assessment
4Test your understanding of this unit before moving on.
PASSAGE: Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in healthcare diagnostics. Machine learning algorithms can analyse medical images with accuracy comparable to, or exceeding, that of experienced radiologists. A study published in Nature Medicine found that an AI system correctly identified breast cancer in mammograms with 94.5% accuracy, compared to 88% for human radiologists. However, concerns remain about algorithmic bias, data privacy, and the potential displacement of healthcare workers.
STUDENT SUMMARY: AI is getting better at healthcare. Machine learning is very accurate at reading medical images and a study showed it detected breast cancer better than radiologists. There are some concerns about it though.
1. Does this summary meet the PTE SWT form requirement? Explain.
2. Identify at least two register or vocabulary issues in the summary.
3. Rewrite the summary as a single complex sentence (5-75 words) using nominalization and at least one relative clause.
1. Tropical deforestation accounts for approximately 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
2. The Amazon rainforest has lost an area equivalent to the size of France since 1970.
3. Deforestation is primarily driven by agricultural expansion, particularly cattle ranching and soybean farming.
4. Conservation programmes have shown that sustainable land management can reduce deforestation rates by up to 50%.
Make 'Tropical deforestation' your subject and use a relative clause with 'which' to embed the statistics about the Amazon.
Use a passive construction ('is primarily driven by') for the cause.
Add the conservation solution using 'although' at the end of the sentence.
International migration has reached unprecedented levels, with the United Nations estimating that approximately 281 million people live outside their country of birth. Economic opportunity remains the primary driver, as workers from developing nations seek higher wages and better working conditions in industrialised countries. However, migration also brings significant cultural and economic benefits to host countries, including labour force replenishment, cultural diversity, and innovation. Despite these benefits, anti-immigration sentiment has risen in many Western nations, leading to stricter border policies and reduced refugee intake. Researchers have argued that well-managed migration policies, which balance security concerns with humanitarian obligations, could maximise the benefits of migration while addressing legitimate social concerns.
min: 5 words
max: 75 words
nominalization (1+)
relative clause (1+)
concessive or contrastive connector (although/while/however/despite)