sentence structure quick review · 1 sentence structure quick reivew sentence structure quick...

1 SENTENCE STRUCTURE QUICK REIVEW

SENTENCE STRUCTURE QUICK REVIEW

A. Clause:

The building blocks of sentences – a group of words that contains (at least) a

subject and a verb

Eg: Ecology is a science

1. Independent clauses

Eg: Students normally spend four years in college

2. Dependent clauses:

Subordinator: when, while, if, that, who

Eg: … although students normally spend four years in college …

3. Clause connectors:

- Used to form different kinds of sentence

- Include: subordinators (complex sentence); coordinators, conjunctive adverbs

(compound sentences)

Subordinators: after, before, when, where, who, whom, which, that,

because, since, as…

Coordinators: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

Conjunctive Adverbs: however, hence, thus, nonetheless, nevertheless

…

B. Simple sentence:

The baby was born

S ( ) + V + O ( )

S + V

S + V

Subordinator + S + V


I enjoy playing tennis with my friend every weekend.

Ms Hoa, my English teacher, got married yesterday.

My best friend, Hung are about to study abroad.

I am falling in love with Trang, my classmate

He looks handsome

A car is running fast on the road between the trees, toward the mountain

She sent me a text message.

The project kept everyone very busy

C. Compound sentence:

I. With a coordinator:

1. Coordinating conjunctions

Conjunction Function Example

for Connects a reason to result Women live longer than men, for

they take better of their health.

S, , + V + O

, S + V + O

S + V + O,

S + V (linking V: become, look, feel, smell…) + Complement (directly describes S

S + V +Adv (time, place, frequency)

S + V + O + O

S + V + O + Compliment


and Connects equal similar ideas Women follow more healthful

diets, and they go to doctors more

often.

nor Connects two negative

sentences

Women don’t smoke as much as

men do, nor they drink as much

alcohol.

but Connects equal different ideas Men mat exercise harder, but

they may not exercise as regularly

as women do.

or Connects two equal choices

Both men and women should

limit the amount of fat in their

diets, or they risk getting heart

disease.

yet Connects equal contrasting

ideas

Women used to be known as the”

weaker sex”, yet in some ways,

they are stronger than men.

so Connects a result to a reason Men are less cautious than

women, so more men die in

accidents.

2. Paired (correlative) conjunctions:

Conjunction Pairs Example

both … and Both San Francisco and Sydney have beautiful harbors

not only … but

also

Japanese food is not only delicious to eat but also beautiful

to look at

either … or Bring either a raincoat or an umbrella when you visit

Seattle

neither … nor My grandfather could neither read nor write, but he was a

very wise person

whether … or The newlyweds could not decide whether to live with her

parents or to rent an apartment.

II. With conjunctive adverbs:

The groups of conjunctive adverbs have equivalent coordinators:

S + V + O; conjunctive adverbs, S + V + O


Coordinators Conjunctive

adverbs

Example

and To add a similar idea

also

besides

furthermore

in addition

moreover

Community colleges offer preparation for any jobs;

also, they prepare students to transfer to four – year

colleges or universities.

but

yet

To add an unexpected or surprising continuation

however

nevertheless

nonetheless

still

The cost of attending a community college is low;

however, many students need financial aid

so To add a result

accordingly

consequently

hence

thus

therefore

as a result

Native and nonnative speakers have different needs;

as a result, most schools provide separate classes

for each group

To give another possibility

or otherwise

( meaning”

if not”)

Students must take final exams; otherwise, they

will receive a grade of incomplete

The groups of conjunctive adverbs don’t have equivalent coordinators

Conjunctive

adverbs

Example

To add a complete contrast

in contrast

on the other hand

The cost of attending a community college is low; in

contrast. Most four- year colleges do

To list ideas in order of time

meanwhile

afterward

then

subsequently

Police kept people away from the scene of the accident;

meanwhile, ambulance workers tried to pull victims out of

the wreck


To give an example

for example

for instance

Colors can have different meanings; for example, white is

the color of weddings in some cultures and of funerals in

others

To show similarities

Similarly

likewise

Hawaii has sun shine and friendly people; similarly,

Mexico’s weather is sunny and its people hospitable

To indicate” the first statement is not true; the second statement is true”

instead

on the contrary

rather

The medicine did not make him feel better; instead, it made

him feel worse

instead( meaning

” as a substitute”)

They had planned to go to Hawaii on their honeymoon;

instead, they went to Mexico


alternatively

on the other hand

You can live in a dorm campus; on the other hand, you can

rent a room with a family off campus

To add an explanation

in other words

that is

Some cultures are matriarchal; in other words, the mothers

are the head of the family

To make a stronger statement

indeed

in fact

Mangoes are very common fruit; indeed, people eat more

mangoes than any other fruit in the world

III. With semicolons:

My older brother study law; my younger brother study medicine

Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism; others

soon followed

S + V + O; S + V + O

S + V + O, and S + V + O


C. Complex sentences:

I. Adverb clause:

or

Subordinator Example

Time

after

as, Just as

as long as

as soon as

before

since

until

when

whenever

while

After we ate lunch, we decided to go shopping

Just as we left the house, it started to rain

We waited as long as we could

As soon as the front door closed, I looked for my house key

I thought I had put it in my coat pocket before we left

I have not locked myself out of the house since I was 10

years ago

Until I was almost 12, my mother pinned the key to coat

When I turned 12, my mother let me keep the key in my

pocket

I usually put the key in the same place whenever I come

home

While I searched for the key, it rained harder and harder

Place

where

wherever

anywhere

everywhere

I like to shop where prices are low

I try to shop wherever there is a sale

You can find bargains anywhere you shop

I use my credit card everywhere I shop

Manner( how), Distance

as + adverb + as

as, just as

as if/ as though

We will hike as far as we can before it turns dark

The child sat as close as she could to her mother

The child sat as close to her mother as she could

I love to get flowers(,) as most women do

You look as if you didn’t sleep at all last night.

She acts as though she doesn’t know us

She jogs on the beach as often as she can

Reason

as

because

since

I can’t take evening classes(,) as I work last night

I can’t take evening classes because I work at night

I can’t take evening classes since I work at night

Purpose

so that Many people emigrates so that their children can have a

Subordinator + S + V + O, S + V + O S + V + O subordinator S + V + O


in order that better life

Result

so + adj + that

so + adv + that

such a(n) + n + that

so

much/many/little/

few

+ n + that

I was so tired last night that I fell asleep at dinner

She talks so softly that the other students cannot hear her

It was such as easy test that most of the students got A’s

He is taking so many classes that he has no time to sleep

Condition

if

unless

We cannot go hiking if it rains

We will not go hiking unless the weather is perfect

Partial contrast( unexpected result)

although

even though

though

I love my brother although we disagree about almost

everything.

Contrast

while

whereas

My brother likes classical music, while I prefer hard rock

He dresses conservatively, whereas I like to be a little

shocking

Participial phrase

Sentence with adverb clause Sentence with participial

phrase

Retain

before Before a student chooses a

college, he or she should

consider several factors.

Before choosing a college, a

student should consider

several factors.

A student should consider

several factors before

choosing a college

since

(time)

Carlos hasn’t been back home

since came to the USA three

years ago.

Since coming to the USA

three years ago, Carlos

hasn’t been back home.

Carlos hasn’t been back home

since coming to the USA

three years ago.

Delete because

since

Because (since/as) Carlos

came from a very

conservative family, he was

Coming from a very

conservative family, Carlos

was shocked at the American


as

(reason)

shocked at the American

system of coed dormitories.

system of coed dormitories.

as

(time)

As he gradually got used to

American customs, he

became less homesick.

Gradually getting used to

American customs, he

became less homesick.

Retain

or

Delete

after After he had passed the

TOEFL exam, he became a

freshman at his college.

After passing the TOEFL

exam, he became a freshman

at his college.

Having passed the TOEFL

exam, he became a freshman

at his college.

He became a freshman at his

college after passing the

TOEFL exam.

while While he was preparing for

the TOEFL, he lived with an

American family.

While preparing for the

TOEFL, he lived with an

American family.

Preparing for the TOEFL,

he lived with an American

family.

He lived with an American

family while preparing for

the TOEFL.

when When he was asked about his

life in the UA, he said that he

was enjoying himself, but that

he was a little homesick.

When asked about his life in

the USA, he said that he was

enjoying himself, but that he

was a little homesick.

Asked about his life in the

USA, he said that he was

employing himself, but that

he was a little homesick.

II. Adjective clause:

Relative pronoun

Refers to humans

who restrictive

People who use microwave ovens save time

and energy.


or

nonrestrictive

Professor Jones, who teaches my biology

class, won a Nobel Prize two years ago.

Refers to humans

whom restrictive

or

nonrestrictive

The professor whom you should see is chair

of the English department.

The candidate for whom I voted lost the

election.

Dr White, whom you meet in my office, is

an ecologist.

Mayor Pyle, for whom I voted, lost the

election.

The citizens of Puerto Rico, ninety percent

of whom are well educated.

Refers to humans, nonhumans and things; shows possession

whose restrictive

or

nonrestrictive

Opportunities for college graduates whose

degrees are in computer engineering are on

the upswing.

The citizens whose property the

government had confiscated could do

nothing.

Santa Claus, whose portly figure appears

everywhere during the Christmas season,

is the symbol of Christmas gift-giving.

Consumer Reports, whose research

shopper’s trust, publishes comparative

evaluations of all kinds of products.

Refers to nonhumans and things

which restrictive

or

nonrestrictive

No one had read from the book from which

he quoted.

An electron tube in the oven produces

microwaves, which cook by agitating the

water molecules in food.

Environmental science, which Dr. White

teaches, is one of the most popular courses in

the college.


The position of office manager, for which he

applied, had already been filled.

There are many delicious tropical fruits in

Puerto Rico, most of which I have never

tasted before.

Refers to nonhumans, thing and things; informally refers to human

that restrictive only People that use microwave ovens save time

and energy

Ovens that use microwave energy are

capable of cooking foods quickly.

The professor that you should see is the

chair of the English Department.

The book that he professor translated was

written in Germen.

The candidate that I voted for lost the

election.

No one had read the book that he quoted

from.

Ø

restrictive

Or

nonrestrictive

The professor you should see is the chair of

the English department.

The book the professor translated was

written in Germen.

The candidate I voted for lost the electron

Participial Phrases

Sentence with relative clause Sentence with participial

phrase

Active

voice form

Many students who study at

this university are from foreign

countries.

Students who are taking

calculus must buy a graphing

calculator.

The team members, who looked

happy after their victory, were

cheered by the fans.

The crowd, which was cheering

wildly as the game ended, wouldn’t leave the stadium

Many students studying at this

university are from foreign

countries.

Students taking calculus must

buy a graphing calculator.

The team members, looking

happy after their victory, were

cheered by the fans.

Cheering wildly as the game

ended, the crowd wouldn’t leave

the stadium.


Everyone who will take to

TOEFL next month must

preregister.

Everyone taking the TOEFL

next month must preregister.

Passive

voice form

Lab reports that are not handed

in by Friday will not be

accepted.

The prisoner, who was

surrounded by guards, walked

calmly to his execution.

Lab report not handed in by

Friday will not be accepted.

The prisoner, surrounded by

guards, walked calmly to his

execution.

Continuous

form

A law that is currently being

debated concerns abortion

rights.

The signs that were being

posted around campus support

abortion rights.

A movie that will be shown

tomorrow was made by an anti-

abortion group.

A law currently being debated

concerns abortion rights.

The signs being posted around

campus support abortion rights.

A movie being shown tomorrow

was made by an anti-abortion

group.

Perfect

form

The secrets of the universe,

which have fascinated people

for centuries, are slowly being

revealed.

The film, which had been

shown too often in movie

theaters, did not attract a large

television audience.

The secrets of the universe,

having fascinated people for

centuries, are slowly being

revealed.

The film, having been shown

too often in movie theaters, did

not attract a large television

audience.

Relative pronouns in Phrases of Quantity and Quality

Relative Pronouns for Humans

whom nonrestrictive The citizens of Puerto Rico, ninety percent

of whom are literate, are well educated.

Relative Pronouns for Nonhumans/Things

which nonrestrictive There are many delicious tropical fruits in

Puerto Rico, most of which I have never

tasted before.

Relative Pronouns as Objects of Propositions

Relative Pronouns for Humans

whom

that, Ø

restrictive The candidate for whom I voted lost the

election.


The candidate whom I voted for lost the

election.

The candidate that I voted for lost the

election.

The candidate I voted for lost the election.

whom nonrestrictive Mayor Pyle, for whom I voted, lost the

election.

Mayor Pyle, whom I voted for, lost the

election.

Refers to nonhumans and things

which

that, Ø

restrictive No one had read the book from which he

quoted.

No one had read the book which he quoted

from.

No one had read the book that he quoted

from.

No one had read the book he quoted from.

which nonrestrictive The position of office manager, for which he

applied, had already been filled.

Relative adverbs

Refers to a time

when restrictive

Or

nonrestrictive

I work full time on days when I don’t have

classes.

I didn’t work last week, when I had my final

exams

Refers to a place

where restrictive

Or

nonrestrictive

She has never returned to the city where she

was born.

First City Bank, where I have a checking

account, was robbed last week


Note:

1. Position of adjective clauses:

- After its antecedent and close to it as possible to avoid confusion

Confusion: He left the gift in his friend’s car that he had just bought

Clear: He left the gift that he had just bought in his friend’s car

- A prepositional phrase comes between the antecedent and the relative clause

(occasionally)

Manuel was visited by a friend from San Juan who was touring the

country

Try writing a sentence of your own that contains a relative clause

2. Verb agreement in adjective clauses:

The verb in a relative clause should agree in number with its antecedent

- A person who works part – time usually receives no benefits.

- People who work part – time usually receive no benefits.

3. Punctuation of adjective clauses:

- Restrictive clauses: necessary because it identifies its antecedent for the reader

→ do not use comma

Eg:

The professor who teaches my biology class won a Nobel Prize two

years ago

He won the prize for research that might lead for a cure for AIDS

- Nonrestrictive clauses: unnecessary because it merely gives the leader some

extra information → can be omitted without loss of meaning and separated

from the rest with comma

Eg:

Professor Jones, who teaches my biology class, won a Nobel Prize two

years ago.

He won the prize for his research on the structure of T – cell, which

might lead for a cure for AIDS.


III. Noun clause

1. That clause:

a) Noun clause as subject:

That there is a hole in the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere is well known.

b) Noun clause as object:

Introductory

clause verbs

Example

No indirect object

agree

answer

assert

conclude

know

notice

realize

state

think

We know that women have higher verbal IQs than men

I realize that I am falling in love with her

Indirect object optional; to required with indirect object

admit

explain

mention

point out

prove

reply

The defense attorney proved( to the jury) that his client was not

guilty

Indirect object required

assure

convince

inform

notify

remind

tell

The doctor assured the worried parents that their child would

recover

Indirect object optional

promise

show

He promised( them) that they could see their child immediately

after the operation

That + S (noun clause) + V + O

S + V (introductory clause verb) + that + O (noun clause)


teach

warn

write

c) Subjunctive noun clause:

Indicating urgency,

advisability, necessity

and desirability

Example

Verbs Adjective

advise

ask

command

demand

direct

Insist

move

propose

recommend

suggest

urge

advisable

essential

necessary

important

urgent

vital

The company president urged that the marketing

department be more aggressive.

She insisted that the company not lose any more

customers to its competitors.

It is necessary that each salesperson work longer hours.

It was recommended that the department not hire new

staff at this time.

2. Question clause and if/whether clause:

If / Whether Clauses

whether

whether or not

whether … or not

if

it … or not

I can’t remember whether I locked the door.

whether or not I locked the door.

whether I locked the door or not.

if I locked the door.

if I locked the door or not.

Question Clauses

who, whoever, whom

which, what, where

when, why, how

how much, how

many

how long, how often

Whoever arrives at the bus station first should buy the

tickets.

Do you know where the bus station is?

We should ask when the bus arrives.

Do not worry about how much they coast.

He didn’t care how long he had to wait.


3. Note:

- No comma is used to separate the introductory clause from the noun clause

- The introductory clause, which may be a statement or a question, determines the

end – of – sentence punctuation.

- Sequence of tense rules:

The introductory clause verb is in the present, present perfect, or future

tense → the verb in the noun clause can be in any tense

Eg: Further research will prove that carbon dioxide is largely responsible

The introductory clause verb is a past tense; the verb in the noun clause

must be in a last tense.

Eg: Further research proved that carbon dioxide was largely responsible

Exception: the verb in the independent clause is in the present tense when it

reports a general truth

Eg: We knew that food cooks more slowly at high elevations

D. Complex – Compound sentences:

I want to travel after I graduated from college; however, I had to go to work

immediately.

After I graduated from college, I wanted to travel but I had to go to work

immediately.

I wanted to travel after I graduated from college, but I had to go work immediately

because I had to support my family.

E. Transition signal:

Transition

Signal and

Conjunctive

Adverbs

Coordinating

Conjunctions

and Paired

Conjunctions

Subordinating

Conjunctions

Others: adjectives,

prepositions, verbs

To list ideas in order of time

first

first of all

second

third

before

after

until

when

the first( reason, cause, step,

…)

the second

the third


next

then

after that

meanwhile

in the

meanwhile

finally

last

last of all

subsequently

now

soon

gradually

while

as soon as

since

as

another

the last

the final

the next

before lunch

after the war

since 19

in the year 20

immediately

the moment( that)

the instant that

directly

To list ideas in order of importance

first

first of all

first and

foremost

second

more important

most important

most

importantly

more

importantly

more

significantly

most

significantly

above all

most of all

primarily

the first (reason,

cause, step…)

an additional

the second

another

a more important

(reason, cause, step,…)

the most important

the most significant

the best/the worst

the second most significant

the primary

To add a similar or equal idea


also

besides

furthermore

in addition

moreover

too

as well

and

both … and

not only … but

also

nor( “ and not”)

another …

(reason, cause, step,…)

a second

a final

as well as

To add an opposite idea

however

on the other

hand

nevertheless

nonetheless

still

on the contrary

on the contrary

in/by

comparison

instead

in contrast

rather

but

yet

although

even though

though

whereas

while

compared to/with

be different ( from)

be dissimilar

be unlike

even if

whether or not

instead of

except for

apart from

aside

To explain or restate an idea

in other words

in particular

(more)

specifically

that is

To make a stronger statement

indeed

in fact


alternatively

on the other

hand

or

either … or

whether … or

if

unless

but for that

provided that

providing that


otherwise suppose

supposing

what … if

say

in case

in case of

To give an example

for example

for instance

such as

an example of

to exemplify

like

To express an opinion

according to

in my opinion

in my view

to believe ( that)

to feel ( that)

to think( that)

To give a reason

for this reason for because

since

as

to result from

be the result of

due to

because of

be the result of

the effect of

the consequence of

as a result of

as a consequence of

in as much as

now that

To give a result

accordingly

as a

consequence

so the cause of

the reason for

to cause


as a result

consequently

for these

reasons

hence

therefore

thus

to result( in)

to have an effect on

to affect

to have an effect on

To add a conclusion

all in all

in brief

in short

to conclude,

to summarize

in conclusion

in summary

for these

reasons

indeed

It is clear that …

We can see that ...

The evidence suggests that

These examples show that

To compare things

likewise

similarly

also

too

and

both … and

not only … but

also

neither … nor

as

just as

like( + noun)

just like( + noun)

as

just as

as well

as well as

to compare with or to

compared with or to

in comparison with or to

be similar ( to)( + noun)

be alike

be similar

to compare to or with


F. Transition signal:

1. Parallelism:

- Important in listing, comparing and contrasting items or ideas

- When making a comparison, contrast or list, make sure that the items or ideas

being compared, contrasted and listed are the same.

Eg

Not Parallel Parallel

- My English conversation class is

made up of Chinese, Spaniards and

some are from Bosnians.

- The students who do well attend

class, they do their homework and

practice speaking in English.

- The teacher wanted to know which

country we came from and our

future goals.

- My English conversation class is

made up of Chinese, Spaniards and

Bosnians.

- The students who do well attend

class, do their homework and

practice speaking in English.

- The teacher wanted to know which

country we came from and what our

future goals are.

- The second item or idea could be replaced with a pronoun

Eg:

The language skills of the students in the evening classes are the same as

the language skills of the students in the day classes.

The language skills of the students in the evening classes are the same as

those of the students in the day classes.

- Repeat all or some the words, depending upon what are emphasized

Eg: Before you write a paper or (before) (you) take a rest, you must organize your

thoughts.

- Coordinators: and, or, but

Words, phrases, and clauses that are joined by and, ore, and but are written in

parallel form.

Eg:

The Federal Air Pollution Control Administration regulates automobile

exhausts, and the Federal Aviation Administration makes similar

regulations for aircraft.


The stages regulate the noise created by motor vehicles, but not by

commercial aircraft.

Pesticides cannot be sold if they have an adverse effect on humans, on

animal life, or on the environment.

- Use parallel forms with the correlative conjunctions both … and, either … or,

neither … nor, and not only … but also

Eg:

A new law provides the means for both regulating pesticides and ordering

their removal if they are dangerous.

Air pollutants may come either from the ocean as natural contaminants

given off by sea of life or from the internal combustion engines of

automobiles.

Many people are neither concerned about pollutants nor worried about

their future impact.

At the present time, air pollution is controlled through laws passed not only

to reduce the pollutants at their source but also to set up acceptable

standards of air quality.

2. Sentence problems

2.1 Sentence Fragments: incomplete sentences or parts of sentences

Eg:

- For example, the increase in the cost of renting an apartment

→ For example, the cost of renting an apartment increased.

- Feeling lonely and failing most of his classes

→ He felt lonely and was failing most of his classes.

2.2 Choppy Sentence: too short sentences

- If the sentences express equal ideas, use coordination to combine them

Eg: Wind is an enduring source of power. Water is also an unlimited energy

source. Damn produce hydraulic power. They have existed for a long time.

Windmills are relatively new.

→ Both wind and water are enduring sources of power. Dams have produced

hydraulic power for a long time, but windmills are relatively new.

- If the sentences express unequal ideas, use subordination to combine them


Eg: We must find new sources of energy. Natural sources of energy are

dwindling. Solar energy is promising new source of energy. Solar energy is

energy from the sun.

→ We must find new sources of energy because natural sources of energy are

dwindling. Solar energy, which is energy from the sun, is a promising new source.

2.3 Stringy Sentence: too long sentences

- No rule limiting the number of independent clauses allowed in one sentence, but

two is a good maximum.

- To correct a stringy sentence, divide it and/or recombine the clauses,

remembering to subordinate when appropriate.

Eg: Many students attend classes all morning, and then they work all afternoon,

and they also have to study at night, so they are usually exhausted by the

weekend.

→ Because many students attend classes all morning, work all afternoon, and

study at night, they are usually exhausted by the weekend.

2.4 Punctuation

- Run – on sentences: a sentence in which two or more independent clauses are

written one after another with no punctuation.

- Comma Splices: a sentence in which two independent clauses are incorrectly

joined by a comma without a coordinating conjuction.

Eg:

My family went to Australia then they emigrated to Canada (Run – on)

My family went to Australia, then they emigrated to Canada (Comma splices)

→ My family went to Australia. Then they emigrated to Canada.

My family went to Australia; then they emigrated to Canada.

My family went to Australia, and then they emigrated to Canada.

My family went to Australia before they emigrated to Canada.

Dr. Tung Hoang – Ophthalmology Resident

Course 39, Hanoi Medical University

REFERENCES

Writing academic English/ Alice Oshima, Anna Hogue – 3rd

ed. Addison Wesley

Longman, 10 Bank Street, White Plains, NY 10606

sentence structure quick review · 1 sentence structure quick reivew sentence structure quick...

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