English Composition/Sentence Writing (Part 3)
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English Composition ＞ Sentence Writing (Part 3)
Sentence Writing (Part 3)
Part 3 shows how to use basic conjunctions and prepositions in sentences.
Using conjunctions
Conjunctions connect words and words, phrases and phrases in separate sentences or sentences in a sentence. There are equality conjunctions, subordinate conjunctions, and connection adverbs, but see the grammar section for details. Here is an excerpt of the basic and frequent and, but, or, so, because.
and
There is additional information in the sentence:
- □ It is hot and humid in Tokyo today.
- □ Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow.
- □ I think many TV programs are stupid and boring.
Connecting independent clauses, a comma (,) precedes and:
- □ Keiko works in accounting and I work in sales department.
- □ Big cars are expensive and waste fuel , and that makes them not practical.
- □ I heard the sound of rumbling thunder , and the rain started.
but
There is contrasting information in the sentence:
- □ It's sunny but cold today.
- □ The Japanese restaurant is expensive but worth it.
- □ Mr. Miller is not a lawyer but a certified public accountant.
Connecting contrasting independent clauses, but is preceded by a comma(,):
- □ Neither Bob nor Lynn can come to the party , but I will be there.
- □ My mother loved the book, but she didn't like the movie.
- □ I'll try my best, but I'm not sure if I can.
or
Combining things with multiple choices, opinions, etc.:
- □ You can take the subway or the bus to the Metropolitan Musium.
- □ Which do you prefer, apple or orange?
- □ We will be able to reply to you by e-mail within one or two weeks.
Combining clauses with alternatives, a comma (,) precedes or:
- □ You can ride the bus to the Metropolitan Musium, or you can walk.
- □ Do you prefer bright colors like red and yellow, or dark colors like black and grey?
- □ We can go out for dinner tonight, or we can eat at home.
so
Receiving the previous sentence and expressing the result, so is preceded by a comma (,).
- □ It was very hot last night , so I left my air conditioner on throughout the night.
- □ This is a delicate matter of timing , so let us get this straight now.
- □ My computer wasn't working properly for a couple of days , so I didn't get your email until this morning.
because
Taking the previous sentence and expressing the reason or cause:
- □ I left my air conditioner on throughout the night because it was very hot last night
- □ I didn't get your email until this morning because my computer wasn't working properly for a couple of days.
- □ Lynn didn't go to school yesterday because she felt sick.
Because can also be placed in front of a sentence. In this case, the sentence sections are separated by a comma (,):
- □ Because it was very hot last night , I left my air conditioner on throughout the night.
Usage of prepositions
Make preposition phrases with preposition + noun or verbal noun. Prepositional phrases modify nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, other prepositional phrases, etc. in sentences to give information about time, location, position, direction, purpose, and so on. See the grammar section for details.
Preposition for Time
[at, on, in, for, since, from, to, until, by, before, after, during, while ....]
① at (specific or limited time)
- □ I have an appointment with the dentist at eleven o'clock.
- □ Mr. Garcia was busy at that time, so I didn't see him.
- □ Ken, my childhood friend, was a torchbearer at the Winter Olympics.
② on (dates, days of the week, holidays, specific days, etc.)
- □ My uncle and aunt are coming to our house on Christmas Day this year.
- □ Tina usually go to the charch on Sunday morning.
- □ I have been invited to Tracy's wedding on March 29th.
On before date or day of week can be omitted.
on time, on schedule when people or things are following the schedule
→ We have to stay on schedule otherwise we won't finish our project on time.
③ in (Morning, evening, year, month, season, era, etc.)
- □ I always feel sleepy in the afternoon.
- □ The consumption tax is going up again in November.
- □ Many castles in Europe were built in the Middle Ages.
- Use at instead of in for night:
- □ I usually listen to music at night before bedtime.
on instead of in if the day of the week is in front of morning, afternoon, evening:
- □ They usually go out for grocery shopping on Saturday afternoon.
In for future time (viewed from now):
- □ Tracy is getting married in three months.
- □ The train will be leaving in a few munites.
You can't put at, on, in in front of last, next, this, every.
- □ I have to take a makeup exam next Friday.
- □ Tracy got married last march.
④ for (period)
- □ This train ticket is valid for three days including the date of issue.
- □ It took me for five years to finish the graduate course.
⑤ since (starting from the current ongoing matter)
- □ My parents have lived in the suburbs of Tokyo since 2002.
- □ The cathedral has been under renovation since 1995.
⑥ until (When finished)
- □ This train ticket is valid until the day after tomorrow.
- □ I had to work overtime until 10 o'clock yesterday.
In colloquial style, you may use 'till' instead of until, but the official sentence applies until.
⑦ from .... to / until (period ~ to ~)
- □ I normally work from 9 o'clock until 6 o'clock on weekdays.
- □ It's about 1.5 kilometers from the Station to my appartment.
⑧ by (deadline)
- □ Please let us know by Thursday whether or not you can come to the gathering.
- □ If you want to take the class, you should register by the end of March.
Pay attention to the difference in use and meaning between until and by!
- □ It's too late to go shopping. The stores are only open until 6 o'clock on Sundays. They'll be closed by now.
⑨ before, after
before, after may be followed by verbal nouns and clauses in addition to nouns.
- □ Before going out, I finished my schoolwork. = Before I went out, I finished my schoolwork.
- □ I will come straight back home after I've finished the class.
⑩ during
during is followed by a noun.
- □ Ashley felt sick during the exam.
- □ I read a lot of books during the period of hospitalization.
⑪ while (while you are)
A while or verbal noun follows after the while.
- □ Ashley felt sick while she was taking the exam.
- □ While running the half-marathon, he hurt his foot.
