Essential grammar

Week 5 – Clauses Common mistakes

By Peiling Hsia

Contents:

A quick review of relative clauses Adverb Clause - Time Clause

Participial phrases Reducing dependent clauses

A quick review of relative clause

由關係代名詞所引導的子句 基本核心就是在處理如何避免名詞重覆

There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, and the three options mean finding bargain airfares is much easier.

There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.

排列的次序問題

如果說含有關係子句的主要子句是個簡單不複雜的句子，如 “He tore up my photo, which upset me.” 是很容易安排次序。如果主詞出現了 4 個直接、間接的形容詞來修飾，就會產生排序問題。

4 message units ：

There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.

(1) there are now three options (2) for direct flights(3) between Vancouver and Hong Kong(4) which means finding bargain airfares is much easier

Message unit 位置分配原則是：

1. 主要資訊 - 一定是句子核心 (core)

2. 補語 受詞或主要相關資訊 優先於修飾語

3. 修飾語間，有其約定俗成的優先次序 : - 地點 , 時間 - 數量 , 大小 , 顏色其它修飾等

4. 會讓人產生 ambiguity 部份優先

4 message units ：

1423 : There are now three options, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier, for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong.

1243: There are now three options for direct flights, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier between Vancouver and Hong Kong.

1324 : There are now three options between Vancouver and Hong Kong for direct flights, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.

1234: There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.

(1) there are now three options (2) for direct flights(3) between Vancouver and Hong Kong(4) which means finding bargain airfares is much easier

Adverb clauses - Time Clauses

Adverb clause is dependent/subordinate clause that acts as “adverb”.

http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blgr_adverbclauses_time.htm

Adverb – it modifies adjective, verb, and adverb.It tells us: When Where How

Let’s clean the garage on Sunday.

I ate my lunch at a nice restaurant.

we waited patiently.

Clause:

when, while, where, as, since, if, although

Adjective clause

Adverb clause

– provides information for a noun.

– tells us when, where, how, why.

7 common conjunctive adverbs used in adverb clause:

Example: I walked today.

I walked before the sun went down.

Adverb clause – it is a group of words with asubject and a verb, and it is acting as an “adverb”.It modifies verb, adjective, adverb, entire clause.

Adverb clause = dependent clause

Until I fall asleep Whenever my teacher yells After I walk the dog

I listen music until I fall asleep.

Whenever my teacher yells, I know she’s having a bad day.

I will take out the trash after I walk the dog.

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.

When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma.

As soon as he arrives, we will have some lunch.

He gave me a call when he arrived in town.

Time Clauses

Time clauses and phrases help show the continuity of development in a process.

The most common time words used to introduce time clauses are:

= Using adverb clauses with time expressions

before, after, when, while, as, and until.

Examples:

1. Autumn is the season. The leaves of many trees change color during the season.

2. Thanksgiving is a holiday. Families like to gather together on the holiday.

Autumn is the season when the leaves of many trees change

color.

Thanksgiving is a holiday when families like to gather together.

Types of time clause:

1. Simultaneous action

2. Sequential action

3. Participial phrases

Time clauses1. Simultaneous action

_______ the butter is melting, break three eggs into a bowl.

Time clauses2. Sequential action

(1st action)

(2nd action)

________the eggs have thickened, serve them with toast.

The eggs must have thicken ______ you serve them.

Do not serve the eggs ______ they have thickened.

(1st action)(2nd action)

(2nd action) (1st action)

Time clauses3. participial phrases Simultaneous actions clause: While you are melting the butter, break three eggs into a bowl. phrase: _____________________, break …

Sequential actions clause: After/ When you have beaten the eggs, pour them into the pan. phrase: _________________________, pour …

When - 時間點 瞬間動作 / 時段 同時性 / 連續性 / 非連續性1. At what time – at the time at which (adv) (conj)

2. Considering that - considering the fact that: (conj)

3. Although – despite the fact that (conj)

He says he hasn't got any money when in fact he's got thousands of dollars in his account.

I don't understand how he can say that everything's fine when it's so obvious that it's not.

How can you say you don't like something when you've never even tried it!

You can't complain of being lonely when you don't make any effort to meet people.

When's the baby due?We'll go when you're ready.She was only twenty when she had her first baby.He was quite shocked when I told him.I was just getting into the bath when the telephone rang.When I got home, he was having supper.

While - 時段 / 同時性 / 連續性動詞 1. a while a length of time (n)

2. during the time that, or at the same time as (conj)

3. despite the fact that; although (conj)

4. compared with the fact that; but  (conj) Tom is very extrovert and confident while Katy's shy and quiet.

I do every single bit of housework while he just does the dishes.

While I accept that he's not perfect in many respects, I do actually like the man.While I understand your point of view, I do also have some sympathy with Mike.

I read it while you were drying your hair.While I was in Italy I went to see Alessandro.I thought I heard him come in while we were having dinner."I'm going to the post office." "While you're there can you get me some stamps?“

I only stayed for a short while."When did that happen?" "Oh, it was a while ago (= a long time ago).I haven't seen him for a while (= for a long time).

As - 同時性 / 正在發展或變化 / 連續性 1. Comparison - used in comparisons to refer to the degree of sth (adv)

2. Purpose – used to describe the purpose or quality of sb/sth (prep)

3. Because (conj)

4. While (conj) - during the time that

5. Like (conj) - in the same way

He got divorced, (just) as his parents had done years before.This year, as in previous years, tickets sold very quickly.As with his earlier movies, the special effects in his latest film are brilliant.

I saw him as I was coming into the building.He gets more attractive as he gets older. As he grew older he became more confident.

As it was getting late, I decided to book into a hotel.You can go first as you're the oldest.

She works as a waitress.It could be used as evidence against him.The news came as quite a shock to us.

She'll soon be as tall as her mother.I can't run as fast as you.

an on-going event interrupted by a single event

in the past

Myra was reading a book when the phone rang.

past tense cause and effect Myra had to get up when the phone rang.

two past tense events Ben asked for a ride when Myra answered the phone.

two future events Myra will leave to pick up Ben when she hangs up.

two past tense continuous activities

I was listening carefully while the manager was explaining the problem.

one past tense continuous event interrupted by single

action

The doorbell rang while I was taking a shower.

1. 在…時刻 ( 單一時間點 ) – when 用終止性或連續性動詞

2. 有動作先後關係時 when 不能與 while 互換

3. when 句子裡動詞為終止性時 不能與 while 互換

4. 句子裡表動作的是連續性動詞 when / while 可互換

5. While 常用來表示兩各同時進行的長動作

6. As 多用來談兩各平行動作或兩種狀態變化 時間性比較緊湊

Special notes:

When I got home, he was having supper.When I was young, I liked dancing.

When he has finished his work, he takes a short rest. (after)When I got to the cinema, the film had already begun. (before)

When he came yesterday, we were playing basketball.

While / when we were still laughing, the teacher came in.

practice1. _____________the doorbell rang, Brian was taking a shower.

2. __________ he was watching the news on TV, Jonathan was eating his dinner.

3. Tom was backing into a parking space ____________ he heard a crunch.

4. ______ I was young, I liked dancing.

5. ______ I slept, a thief broke in.

6. ______ I came into the room, I found him lying there asleep.

7. ______ I was walking down the street, an American asked me for directions to the nearest station.

8. ______________we were still laughing, the teacher came in.

Common sentence connectors of time

Melt the butter in the pan; ___________, beat the eggs. (Simultaneous action)

Beat the eggs well; ___________, pour them into the pan. (Sequential actions)

where 表地方 = in which 

Examples: This is the house where John lives.

= This is the house in which John lives. = This is the house which John lives in. = This is the house John lives in.

關係副詞 where ：因其詞性為副詞，不能當作關係子句中的主詞或受詞 (=in/on/at/to + which) ，所以 where 帶領的關係子句中一定另有主詞

Examples (O) John bought the house, which is beautiful. (X) John bought the house, where is beautiful. This is the room. I study in the room. = This is the room which I study in. = This is the room in which I study. = This is the room where I study. (in which = where)

關係副詞 where

Special notes1. Do not use prepositions before either where or when: ___They live in a building in where there are many apartments. ___I'll always remember the day on when we met.___Autumn is the season during when the leaves of many trees change color.    

2. In very formal writing, you may use prepositions before which--but not before that:

___They live in a building in that there are many apartments. ___ They live in a building in which there are many apartments.___ I'll always remember the day on that we met. ___ I'll always remember the day on which we met.

___ Autumn is the season during that the leaves of many trees change color.___ Autumn is the season during which the leaves of many trees change color.

Practice: 1. ____ University of Columbia is the place which our study was conducted in.

2. ____ Tomorrow is the day on when he has his job interview. .

3. ____ 1990 is the year in which they were married.

4. ____ This is the apartment which we have lived in for 7 years. .

5. ____ The bus had left while we arrived at the bus stop.

複合關係代名詞 whoever, whomever, whichever, whosever, whatever

都有“ any” 的意思

I don’t need this book any more. Please give it to whoever needs it. = please give it to any who needs it.

You can try to say hello to whomever you meet.

Here are two cell phones. You can take whichever you like.

All of these are free. Just take whatever you want.

Participial Phrases

分詞片語

Participle - a word formed from a verb and

used as an adjective to modify nouns.

A participle often appears with additional

words that adds details to it.

Present participle: V - ing

Past participle: V –ed

Verbs Present participles

The custom fascinates me.

The man jogged in the park.

The fascinating custom interests me.

The jogging man ran through the park.

Verbs Past participles

The steak was burned.

The car was just cleaned.

The burned steak tasted terrible.

The cleaned car looks new.

Together, the participle and the additional

words form a “participial phrase”, such as

noisily burping, circled by the hungry sharks, waving at the TV camera…

participles + other modifiers; used to modify nouns and pronouns.

Examples:

In his movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger uses his muscles more readily than his brain.

In his movie, Arnold Schwarzenegger uses his muscles more readily than his brain, chopping off barbarians’ heads with his gigantic sword in another.

Participial phrases not only wake up your sentences but also suggest time or cause-result relationship. Participial phrases suggest such relationship less directly than clauses beginning with terms like “because”, “thus”, “therefore”, and “as a result.”

Example:

Because many actors glared directly at the camera and did not blink for long periods of time, they started to have eye problems several years later.

Using participial phrases to suggest relationships

More examples: Some Vietnam vets were disillusioned by the American

public’s negative perception of the war. Therefore, they suffered severe mental problems when they returned to civilian life.

We pulled off the interstate. Then we descended the exit ramp to the stadium, a crowd of people came out and waved to us.

Verbs Present participles

The pedestrian, who was bleeding from several wounds, waited for someone to help home.

The ambulance that was summoned by a bystander came quickly.

The pedestrian, bleeding from several wounds, waited for someone to help home.

The ambulance summoned by a bystander came quickly.

Participial phrases formed from relative clauses

(by reducing subject pattern)

Perfect Form Participles: Active (having discovered) & Passive (having been discovered) emphasize the “completed” action.

Verb tense With relative clause with participial phrase

Present perfect

(active)

The secrets of the universe, which have fascinated people for centuries, are slowly being revealed.

The secrets of the universe, having fascinated people for centuries, are slowly being revealed.

Past perfect

(passive)

The film, which had been shown too often in movie theaters, did not attract a large television audience.

The film, having been shown too often in movie theaters, did not attract a large television audience.

Participial Phrases from Adverbial Clauses:(Retain)

Before

Since(time)

Before a student chooses a college, he or she should consider several factors.

Carlos hasn’t been back home since he came to the United States three years ago.

Before choosing a college, a student should consider several factors.

Since coming to the United States three years ago, Carlos hasn’t been back home.

A student should consider several factors before choosing a college.

Carlos hasn’t been back home since coming to the United States three years ago.

(Delete)

Because

Since

As(reason)

As (time)

Because (Since / As) Carlos came from a very conservative family, he was shocked at the American system of coed dormitories.

As he gradually got used to American customs, he became less homesick.

Coming from a very conservative family, Carlos was shocked at the American system of coed dormitories.

Gradually getting used to American customs, he became less homesick.

(Retain or Delete)

After

While

when

After he had passed the TOEFL exam, he became a freshman at the college.

While he was preparing for the TOEFL, he lived with an American family.

When he was asked about his life in the United States, he said that he was enjoying himself.

After passing the TOEFL exam, he became a freshman at the college. Having passed the TOEFL exam, he became a freshman at the college.

(after passing the TOEFL exam.)

While preparing for the TOEFL exam, he lived with an American family. Preparing for the TOEFL exam, he lived with an American family.

(while preparing for the TOEFL exam.)

When asked about his life in the United States, he said that he was enjoying himself.

Asked about his life in the United States, he said that he was enjoying himself.

(when asked...)

Position and Punctuation of Participial Phrases A restrictive participial phrases follows the noun it

modifies. There are twelve students receiving rewards this year.

A nonrestrictive phrase may precede or follow the noun it modifies.

Teresa, hurrying to catch a bus, stumbled and fell. Hurrying to catch a bus, Teresa stumbled and fell.

Sometimes, we can move participial phrases from one position to another in a sentence – before the main clause, after it, in the middle of it.

1. Keeping one eye on his professor, Ross quickly scanned the comic hidden behind his bulky biology textbook.

2. Ross, keeping on eye on his professor, quickly scanned the comic hidden behind his bulky biology textbook.

3. Ross quickly scanned the comic hidden behind his bulky biology textbook, keeping one eye on his professor.

If the participial phrase describes something that happened before the main action of the sentence, the participial phrase will precede that main action.

Introduced twenty years ago as labor-saving devices, computerized cash registers are now installed in about 85 percent of all china stores.

If the participial phrase describes something that happened after the main action of the sentence, the participial phrase will follow that main action.

John opened the brightly wrapped package, discovering

a small wooden box.

Using present participial phrases – two actions are occurring simultaneously, whether the phrases come before or after the main clause.

Carrying the cumbersome bass drum in front of me, I jostled my way through the stubborn crowd to the bandstand.

I jostled my way through the stubborn crowd to the bandstand, carrying the cumbersome bass drum in front of me.

Practice – making participles Peter Mark Johnson, who conducts ocean tours off the

coast of Baja California, claims that animals in the wild like people. He noted that grey whales observe his tour boat from afar, then approach. They touch the craft with their snouts and refuse to leave until the startled tourists pet them. The tour guide thinks all this means that nature is not necessarily hostile.

He noted that grey whales observe his tour boat from afar, then approach, touching the craft with their snouts and refusing to leave until the startled tourists pet them.

Practice:1. They slept in barns and churches. They were assisted by brave and dedicated abolitionists.

2. He decided to help fugitives. He made his house into a station on the Underground Railroad.

3. Cold travelers still stay in the basement. Cold travelers are warmed by the working fireplace.

4. They have kept the basement in good condition. They have kept is as a tribute to the Underground Railroad.

( 不管是現在式或過去式 , 動作若是主動 -Ving. 動作若是被動 ,- V p.p)

They, assisted by brave and dedicated abolitionists, slept in barns and churches.

He, making his house into a station on the Underground Railraod, decided to help fugitives.

Cold travelers, warmed by the working fireplace, still stay in the basement.

They have kept the basement, as a tribute to the Underground Railroad, in good condition.

Reducing Dependent Clauses

We can save words by reducing a dependent clause to a phrase or a word.

Reducing Dependent Clauses to…

1. Prepositional phrases2. Infinitive phrases3. To participles or participial phrases4. To adverbs.5. To adjectives

1. Reducing dependent clauses to prepositional phrases

The man who is wearing the white coat is the lab chief.

When the executives had finished the meeting, they went to a

party.

2. Reducing dependent clauses to infinitive phrases

I skipped lunch so that I could cut down on my weight.

He took Technical Writing so that he would be prepared for

future work assignments.

3. Reducing dependent clauses to participles or participial phrases

While he read all of the morning mails, he planned the next

meeting.

Because Mary works as a high-paid programmer, she

has saved up a lot of money.

4. Reducing dependent clauses to adverbs.

The boss argued in a manner that was very angry with the

workers.

All morning she awaited his return at the airport, in the course

of which she became nervous.

5. Reducing dependent clauses to adjectives

People like to wear a tie that has a lot of stripes on it.

Chandler, who works at a full-time job at IBM, held a New

Year party for us.

The four-step reduction technique

1. Find the dependent clause

2. Which is the most important word(s) in this clause?

3. Covert the key word(S) into a prepositional phrase, a participle (participial phrase), an infinitive phrase, an adjective, or an adverb.

4. Shortened sentence

examples

He designed a house that a family could live in. (adj clause)

Until the general election, he was the candidate who led all of the rest of the people running. (adj clause)

1. One of the reasons for our poor profits this year is that inflationary influences are operating against us.

2. She spoke to him in a manner that revealed her impatience.

Practice

3. A decision that operates impartially for all is sometimes difficult to make.

4. The orders from the boss, which amazed all of us, upset the program in a way that was complete to say the least.

Web links:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ ( 普渡大學寫作中心 ) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3J_IByMenM&feature=related

(adverb clause) http://www.chineseowl.idv.tw/html/c_new.htm

(The Chinese online writing lab – 柯泰德 Ted Knoy) http://blog.udn.com/trjason

( 廖柏森 英語與翻譯教學 )