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Complex Sentence Structure
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Complex Sentence Structure
Complex Sentence Structure
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1
Question
What are sentential relative clauses and what do they refer back to?
Answer
Sentential relative clauses refer back to the predicate or predication of a preceding clause, an entire clause or sentence, or even a series of sentences. For example: "They say she plays the violin, which she doesn’t."
2
Question
How does a comparative clause function in relation to the matrix clause?
Answer
A comparative clause expresses a proposition that is compared with a proposition in the matrix clause. For example: "Lucy is as happy as her boyfriend (is)." or "Peter is healthier than his brother (is)."
3
Question
List some common conjunction links used to express concession.
Answer
Common conjunctions for concession include: but, yet, although (informal though), even though, much as, and as/though after adjectives (formal).
4
Question
What are some concessive adverbs and how do they differ in formality and emphasis?
Answer
Concessive adverbs include but, yet, though, all the same, even so, however, and nevertheless (formal). All the same, even so, and nevertheless are more emphatic than but, yet, and though; however is less emphatic than nevertheless but more than but, and can be used in various sentence positions.
5
Question
Explain the difference between 'although' and 'but' when expressing concession.
Answer
Although and but are approximate equivalents for expressing concession, but 'but' is more informal. 'Although' is used with subordinate clauses, while 'but' links main clauses or sentences.
6
Question
How must the informal concessive link 'though' be distinguished from 'though' used as an adverb?
Answer
Informal 'though' as a link connects clauses and is often placed at the end of a sentence (e.g., "Most students like her, though."). As an adverb, 'though' cannot link clauses or sentences and is used with commas or pauses, not to introduce concessive clauses.
7
Question
What is 'much as' used with and provide an example?
Answer
'Much as' can only be used with verbs expressing inclinations like like, dislike, admire, sympathise, etc. Example: "Much as we'd like to see her, we don’t think we should contact her under these circumstances."
8
Question
Describe the special inversion form with an adjective or past participle and 'though' or 'although'.
Answer
In formal concession, adjectives or past participles can be placed at the start followed by 'though' or 'although', and then the subject and verb, e.g., "Justified though the train drivers’ claims may be, they should not have done this." This means "Although the claims may be justified..."
9
Question
Where are 'all the same', 'even so', and 'nevertheless' typically used in sentences?
Answer
'All the same', 'even so', and 'nevertheless' are typically used at the beginning of a new sentence to introduce a contrasting or concessive idea.
10
Question
How is 'however' different in its use and positioning compared to other concessive adverbs?
Answer
'However' has similar meaning to 'all the same', 'even so', and 'nevertheless' but is always used with commas and can appear in initial, medial (after subject), or final positions in a sentence. It is less formal than 'nevertheless' but more formal than 'but'.
11
Question
What is the difference between coordination and subordination?
Answer
Coordination links two or more equal grammatical units (clauses, phrases), while subordination links a dependent clause to a main clause, showing a relationship of dependence.
12
Question
What are correlatives? Provide three examples.
Answer
Correlatives are pairs of conjunctions used together to connect equivalent elements. Examples include: both...and, neither...nor, either...or.
13
Question
Are these sentences correct? 1) Both Lucy washed the dishes and John dried them. 2) Neither Andrew wanted the responsibility, nor his girlfriend did.
Answer
Sentence 1 is incorrect because 'both...and' should link two elements equally (e.g., both Lucy and John). Sentence 2 is incorrect because 'neither...nor' should link equally structured elements without auxiliary reversal like 'did'.
14
Question
Define 'conjoin(s)' and 'conjoint'.
Answer
'Conjoin(s)' refers to things that are joined together or coordinated. 'Conjoint' refers to the grammatical unit formed by coordinated elements functioning as one (e.g., 'John and Mary' as a conjoint noun phrase).
15
Question
What is the difference between simple and complex coordination?
Answer
Simple coordination links individual elements directly (usually via 'and', 'or'), forming coordinated phrases or clauses. Complex coordination involves more complicated structures, such as multiple conjuncts or nested coordination.
16
Question
Identify the types of simple coordination in these sentences: 1) Lucy ate the fruit and drank the coke. 2) Most people will have read the book or seen the film.
Answer
Sentence 1 shows additive coordination (using 'and'). Sentence 2 shows alternative coordination (using 'or').
17
Question
What are some types of complex coordination?
Answer
Complex coordination may include more than two conjuncts, mixed coordination types, or coordinated clauses with internal subordination or additional connectors.
18
Question
Explain the difference between combinatory and segregatory coordination of noun phrases.
Answer
Combinatory coordination treats the coordinated NPs as a single combined entity (e.g., 'John and Mary won a prize' - they won one prize together). Segregatory coordination treats each NP separately (e.g., 'John and Mary won prizes' - each won a separate prize).
19
Question
Is the NP 'John and Mary' combinatory or segregatory in the sentence 'John and Mary won a prize' and why?
Answer
'John and Mary' is combinatory because the two are treated as a single combined unit that won one prize together.
20
Question
What are the key differences when using 'so that' for result versus purpose?
Answer
For result, 'so that' is used with a comma, cannot begin a sentence, and is not followed by modal verbs like can/could or will/would. For purpose, 'so that' has no comma, can begin a sentence, and is followed by modals (can/could, will/would).
21
Question
Give an example sentence using 'so that' for purpose.
Answer
Example: "I’ll leave the heating on so that the flat won’t get cold while we’re out." (No comma, uses modal 'won’t'.)
22
Question
How are 'as', 'since', and 'because' used as linking words?
Answer
'As', 'since', and 'because' can be used to introduce causal clauses either at the beginning of sentences or in the middle, linking cause and effect.
23
Question
Explain how to express results using 'too' with adjectives.
Answer
When using 'too', the structure is 'too + adjective' (or 'too + adjective + a + noun'). It conveys that something exceeds a certain degree causing a specific result. For example, "Lucy is too sensible to take risks." means she is so sensible that she doesn't take risks.
24
Question
Provide the structure for using 'enough' with adjectives to express results.
Answer
The structure is either 'adjective + enough + (infinitive)' or 'a + adjective + enough + noun'. For example: "Lucy is sensible enough not to take risks." or "Lucy is a sensible enough driver not to take risks."
25
Question
Why can't 'too' be used with 'not'?
Answer
'Too' cannot be used with 'not' because 'too' expresses an excessive degree leading to a result, which conflicts logically with negation in the same phrase.
26
Question
Rewrite: "The teacher spoke so fast I couldn’t take any notes" using 'too'.
Answer
"The teacher spoke too fast for me to take any notes."
27
Question
Rewrite: "She was quite old and could have been her mother" using 'enough'.
Answer
"She was old enough to have been her mother."
28
Question
How can you express purpose negatively without a change of subject?
Answer
Use 'so as not to' or 'in order not to' followed by the infinitive without 'to' and without changing the subject. For example: "I’m leaving early so as not to be late for work."
29
Question
When expressing purpose with a change of subject, what structure must you use?
Answer
Use 'so that' or 'in order that' (without a comma) followed by a modal verb (can/could, will/would), e.g., "She always keeps her baby up late so that he’ll be tired."
30
Question
When do you use 'in case' rather than 'so that' to express purpose?
Answer
'In case' is used when preparing or preventing something that may happen, especially in negative or uncertain situations. 'So that' is used when there is a clear intended purpose or desired outcome, often involving a change of subject.