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.