This is the
intermediate/advanced sentence writing tutorial, week 5 of 8.
We will get started
at 4:45.
You can see all of
the class notes on my blog: haleyshec.blogspot.com
Write it down so you
will have it: haleyshec.blogspot.com
My email is ahaley@vsb.bc.ca
Agenda:
·
Complex sentences- adverb clauses
REVIEW OF SENTENCE
STYLES
*SIMPLE – 1 main/independent
clause
SV SSV
SVV SSVV Imperative
Interrogative
*COMPOUND , SOBA
; ; TRANS,
2 main clauses/independent
clauses joined together
1.
FANBOYS SOBA
2.
; semicolon
3.
; TRANS,
*COMPLEX - 1 main
clause and 1 subordinate clause
- adverb clauses
TONIGHT
- noun clauses
NEXT WEEK
- adjective
clauses IN TWO WEEKS
COMPLEX
SENTENCES= simple sentence +
subordinate clause
main
clause + subordinate clause
COMPLEX SENTENCE-
ADVERB CLAUSES
- because when if
(most commonly used)
Two ways to make
a sentence with an adverb clause
because – reason
Jun is happy today. Her son is visiting her. Two main clauses. Two
simple sentences.
Turn one of the
main clauses into a subordinate clause.
1.
main clause + adverb clause
Jun is happy today because her son
is visiting her.
NOTE: no comma before because, small desail
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
Because Jun’s son is visiting her, she is happy
today.
NOTE: use a comma
Either way is good.
It is your choice.
** OLD-FASHIONED
RULE- Don’t start your sentences with
‘because’.
It’s fine. I do. We can ignore this rule.
Because it’s snowy, some people are a little late. OK, my opinion
Some people
are a little late because it’s snowy. Alternative
Either way is fine.
It’s your choice.
Some people
are a little late, because it’s snowy. XXX
Don’t put a comma
before ‘because’. You will see people do it, but it isn’t the best choice.
Stylistic choice.
writing style
MY FREE ADVICE-
Be consistent.
MAIN THING ABOUT
COMMAS:
The baby is
crying because she is tired. NO COMMA
Because the baby
is tired, she is crying. COMMA
MAIN CLAUSE
(SIMPLE SENTENCE)
ADVERB CLAUSE
MAIN CL + ADVERB
CL = COMPLEX SENTENCE
Do it like that.
Everything will be ok.
when - time
1.
main clause + adverb clause
My dog gets up when I get up. no comma
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
When I get up, my dog gets up. comma
SAME MEANING-
your choice
When Harim got up
this morning, she was surprised to see snow on the ground.
Harim was
surprised to see snow on the ground when she got up this morning.
when – same time,
pretty much the same time
after, before –
not the same time
Harim was surprised to see snow on the ground after
she got up this morning.
when – one time,
once
whenever-
everytime, happens many times
Whenever the dog
has to pee, he rings a bell on the door.
My neighbour’s
dog escapes whenever they let it out in the backyard.
Whenever it
rains, I use an umbrella.
I use an umbrella
whenever it rains.
if- maybe yes,
maybe no, don’t know
1.
main clause + adverb clause
Maria should
start saving her money if she wants to buy that expensive dress. no comma
2.
adverb clause, + main clause
If Maria wants to
buy that expensive dress, she should start
saving her money. comma
Call me if you want
to go for a hike.
If there is heavy
snow, listen to the radio regarding school cancellations.
Listen to the
radio. imperative (simple sentence)
***
**
Model for adverb
clauses:
Main clause adverb clause.
Adverb clause, main clause.
**
***
**** YOUR CHOICE.
You should be able to do it both ways. GOAL! ****
‘if’ – past, present,
future
My sister would
play with her dolls if she was bored.
Let’s grab some
coffee if you are free now.
I will call you
if I need a lift to the airport.
EXAMPLES:
You should call
your sister if you want a ride from the airport.
If you want a
ride from the airport, you should call your sister.
You should call
your sister, if you want a ride from the airport. XXX punc
-small error,
does not impede understanding, still not right
IMPERATIVE: Call
your sister.
Call your sister
if you want to get a ride.
If you want to
get a ride, call your sister.
COMPOUND
2 independent
clauses put together
COMPLEX
1 independent
clause and 1 dependent clause put together
COMPOUND
We are going
camping this weekend, so we have to pack our gear.
COMPLEX
We have to pack
our gear because we are going camping this weekend.
Because we are
going camping this weekend, we have to pack our gear.
Same information-
different sentence styles- compound and complex
GOOD WORDS FOR ADVERB CLAUSES
* Adverbial conjunctions (adverb clause
words)
Learning these will expand your ability to
express your thoughts more clearly and precisely in English.
** When you learn these 24, you will be a star
in your English class!
time- after,
before, ever since, since, until, when, whenever,
while
place- wherever
condition - if, even if, provided that, unless
manner- as, as if, though, although, even though, so ... that
cause- because,
since
purpose- in order that, in order to, so that,
*after-
time
The
kids did their homework after supper. prepositional phrase SIMPLE
The
kids did their homework after SV supper. COMPLEX- ADVERB CL
The
kids did their homework after they finished/had/ate supper. no comma
After
the kids finished supper, they did their homework. comma
This
is an important difference!
The
kids did their homework after supper. SIMPLE
The
kids did their homework after they finished supper. COMPLEX
After
they finished supper, the kids did their homework.
COMPLEX
The
kids finished supper, and they did their homework. COMPOUND
Choice!!
*
before- Call me before you leave.
complex- adverb clause
Call me before 8pm. simple
-since
– two meanings: time, reason
since-time
May
has lived in Canada since 1998. SIMPLE
May
has lived in Canada since SV 1998.
May
has lived in Canada since she moved/arrived/came/immigrated
here from Vietnam in 1998. COMPLEX
*
NOTE: simple past instead past perfect
Past
perfect is not commonly used by native English speakers.
May
has lived in Canada since she had moved here from Vietnam in 1998.
May
has lived in Canada since she moved here from Vietnam in 1998.
-since
– reason, same as ‘because’
I am
a little frustrated right now because the internet keeps dropping out.
I am
a little frustrated right now since the internet keeps dropping out.
Because
the internet keeps dropping out, I am a little frustrated right now.
Since
the internet keeps dropping out, I am a little frustrated right now.
because/since
– Your choice. Mix it up!
due
to + noun
I am
a little frustrated right now due to the internet dropping out. SIMPLE
‘dropping’-
noun, gerund
-until
– time (waiting)
I
will wait until you finish.
Until
you finish, I will wait. Don’t sound natural. Sounds like poetry.
Good for a poem or a song, or a love letter. Use your ear. Does it sound good?
I
have been waiting for you until now. SIMPLE
I was
waiting for you until 10 pm. SIMPLE
I was
waiting for you until I fell
asleep. COMPLEX
I was
waiting for you until your sister called
me. COMPLEX
I
will keep learning English until I am fluent. COMPLEX
Sara
will keep learning English until she is fluent. COMPLEX
NOTE:
until – good for writing
- til
– very casual, good for talking not for school writing
Same
as ‘because’ - for writing ‘cause’- very casual talking, not for
school writing
til-
casual, for spoken, not for writing
cause,
cuz- casual, for spoken, not for writing
-when/while
when
– one time
while
– two actions happening at the same time
You
were working while I was sleeping.
While
you are in school, your kids are in daycare.
Students
were using their cell phones while the teacher was teaching.
STRANGE
Maria was washing the dishes while the phone rang.
phone rang *
washing _______________________________
Maria
was washing the dishes while the phone was ringing. UNLIKELY
while
– Maria was washing the dishes while her husband was sweeping the floor.
sweeping
*******************************************
washing ___________________________________________
I
can’t talk to you while I am driving. I will call you back when I park my car.
Sarah
was washing the dishes when the phone rang. one moment in
time
Sarah
was washing the dishes while Joe was watching TV.
My
daughter was reading while I was playing guitar.
simple
present
I get
up early while you get up late.
TRUE
FACT: It is difficult to differentiate between these right now. That will come
with practice.
‘while’
fits well with continuous tenses ‘ing’
My
dog stares at me while I am sleeping.
My
dog likes to hold hands while he is lying down.
He
sings while he is driving. COMPLEX
He
sings while driving. SIMPLE
The
music is beautiful while sad. sounds like grammar book
The
music is beautiful but sad. sounds more authentic SIMPLE
The
music is beautiful, but it is sad. COMPOUND
* since/ever
since
since
– time
ever
since – feel like a long time
Marie
has been waiting for the bus since 9:30. (less than five minutes) SIMPLE
Marie
has been waiting for the bus ever since 9:00. (more than 35 minutes) SIMPLE
ever
since – feels like a long time
Mui
has been living in Vancouver since she came to Canada. COMPLEX
Mui
has been living in Vancouver ever since she came to Canada in 1975.
COMPLEX -adverb clause
We
have been friends since we were nine years old.
We
have been BFFs ever since we were nine years old.
BFF –
best friends forever
Maria
has lived in Canada since 1990. simple
Maria
has lived in Canada since she moved from Indonesia in 1990. complex-
adverb clause
Maria
has lived in Canada since 2018. SIMPLE SENTENCE
Maria
has lived in Canada ever since 1978. long time SIMPLE SENTENCE
Maria
has lived in Canada since she moved from Japan in 2018. COMPLEX SENTENCE
adverb clause
Maria
has lived in Canada ever since she moved from Japan in 1978. long
time
We
have been in class since 8:30. doesn’t feel like a long time
We
have been waiting for the bus ever since 8:30. feels like a long time
MODELS
using ‘since’ in simple sentences:
I
came to Canada since 2019. XXX
I came
to Canada in 2019. SIMPLE
I
have lived in Canada since 2019. SIMPLE
I
have been in Canada for two years. SIMPLE
I
lived in Canada since 2019. Not the best verb choice.
I
have lived in Canada since 2019.
I
have lived in Canada since April, 2019.
I
have lived in Canada since April 24th, 2019.
-whenever
-every time
Whenever
her dog is left alone, he tips over the garbage and makes a mess.
Her
dog tips over the garbage and makes a mess whenever he is left alone.
Emiko
feels homesick whenever she looks at her photo album of family pictures.
Whenever
Emiko looks at her photo album of family pictures, she feels homesick.
Whenever
he drinks water, he spills it all over himself like an old man or a kid.
Sarah
will go to the party if she is free.
We
will go to the park if it is sunny.
If
it is sunny, we will go to the park.
*even
if
Sarah
will not go to the party even if she is free.
We
will go to the park even if it is not sunny.
I
will buy a new phone if I can afford it. Will I buy a new phone? YES/NO
I
will not buy a new phone even if I can afford it. Will I buy a new phone? NO
*
even though – the situation is true, not conditional
*
even if – maybe YES, maybe NO, conditional
Sheila
will not go to the party even though she was invited. Was she invited?
YES
Sheila
will not go to the party even if she is invited. Was she invited?
Uncertain.
I go
kayaking even if it is raining.
*provided
that – ‘if’ for important things
Let’s
grab some coffee if you’re free. – not important
You
can change your career provided that you have made a good plan.
-
sounds important
You
can go to UBC if/provided that you have the prereqs. (prerequisite
courses)
provided
that – makes it sound important
You
can choose when to use it.
going
to the beach?
getting
married?
immigrating
to a new country?
getting
some ice cream?
We
can continue to be friends provided that you recipicate the support I give you.
grab
some coffee- (casual) have some coffee
*unless
– changes the situation, opposite of ‘if’ ‘provided that’
Let’s
grab some coffee if you’re free.
Let’s
grab some coffee unless you’re busy.
Sarah
will go to the beach if it is nice on Saturday.
Sarah
will go to the beach unless it is rainy on Saturday.
Let’s
take a raincheck on coffee if you are busy. (idiom)
take
a raincheck – we will do it later, postpone
Let’s
go for a hike this Saturday.
Oh, I
can’t. Can I take a raincheck?
Do
you want to go for a walk today?
I
have a doctor’s appointment. Can I take a raincheck?
Doctor’s
assistant: Can you come next Wednesday at 3?
You: I
have to take a raincheck. I’m busy. I’m already booked. How about Thursday
at 2?
*
though (a bit more casual), although, even though – same meaning
Dave
is playing with his kids even though he has a lot of work to do.
I
like the weather even though/ although/ though it is very hot.
TWO
DIFFERENT WAYS
I
like the weather although it is very hot.
Although
it is very hot, I like the weather.
* so
... that
so
ADJ that
Jun
is so tall that she has trouble buying pants.
Yesterday
was so hot that Mike sat inside of his refrigerator.
The
kitten is so small that you can hold it in the palm of your hand.
Sarah
is so tired that she is nodding off in the meeting.
IDIOM
nodding off- falling asleep
SAME
MEANING- DIFFERENT STYLE
Because
Jun is so tall, she has trouble buying pants.
‘,
so’ and ‘so ... that’ are not the same
thing.
,so
COMPOUND
so...
that COMPLEX
These
terms and words can change the way you express yourself in English. They can
really help you express your thoughts and ideas clearly. They are very powerful
tools, and you should learn to use them.
These
are very powerful terms that you can use to express your thoughts. Often, I
tell students that should become familiar with authentic, real English. This is
real English that we use all day, every day.
SIDE
NOTE: I have a small editing business on the side. I edit papers for UBC and
SFU students, mostly nursing students who are getting their masters degrees.
When I edit a paper for a university, I use SIMPLE, COMPOUND and COMPLEX sentences.
The
stuff we are learning here will get you through school.
Focus
on these most useful ones:
after/before
since
until
when/while
if
even
if
unless
though/although/even
though
so
... that
because
We
can review a bit next week.
after
After I finish work, I have to pick up my son
at school.
I have to pick up my son at school after I
finish work.
**Source of
confusion- difference between compound and complex sentences, specifically
transitional terms and adverbial conjunctions (adverb clause words)
*
Compound sentence – transitional term
It
snowed last night; therefore, the roads were slick this morning.
*
Complex sentence – adverbial conjunction (adverb clause words)
The
roads were slick this morning because it snowed last night.
These are different
kinds of sentences. They may look similar, but they are not. Definitely you
will get them confused sometimes.
Very simple advice
to you and to me:
If
you want to learn piano, play piano a little bit every day. In a year, you’ll
be good.
If
you want to learn piano to write sentence styles in English, play
piano
practice the sentence styles a little bit every day. In a year, you’ll be good.
When your English is
getting better, you will feel great! However, you have to do the work.
If you learn these,
you will be able to express 99.9% of your ideas.
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