Session 2.5
Sentence Patterns
In-sessional Academic Grammar
University Language Centre
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1.1 Logical connections
Sentence Pair
1
2
3
4
5
Logical connection
Cause & effect
Additional information
Contrast
Condition
Time relationship
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1.2: Subjects and verbs
1a Salt water boils at a higher temperature then
freshwater, so food cooks faster in salt water.
1b Salt water boils at a higher temperature than
freshwater; therefore, food cooks faster in salt
water.
2a Japanese people eat a lot of fish and
vegetables, and they eat lightly.
2b Japanese people eat a lot of fish and
vegetables; in addition, they eat lightly.
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1.2: Subjects and verbs
3a Diet is one factor in how long people live, but it is not
the only factor.
3b Diet is one factor in how long people live; however, it
is not the only factor.
4a Even if a student is able to obtain the necessary
funding, it may be difficult to continue their research.
4b It may be difficult for a student to continue their
research even if they are able to obtain the necessary
funding.
5a After I graduated from college, I wanted to travel.
5b I wanted to travel after I graduated from college.
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2.1 Logical connections
Sentence
1
2
3
4
5
Logical connection
Additional information
Time relationship
Cause & effect
Condition
Contrast
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2.2 Subjects and verbs
1. the plant is used by local people to treat skin
diseases.
2. you see the taxi rank on your left.
3. John has taken an extra job.
4. the plant can live through the winter.
5. technology takes away jobs in others.
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2.3 Linking words, subjects and verbs
1. The plant is found only in the Andes, and it is
used by local people…
2. As/When you walk out of the station
3. Because he is faced...
4. If it is looked after...
5. While it creates…
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2.4
• Active verb in clause 1 = verb-ing in
reduced participle clause
• Passive verb in clause 1 = past participle in
reduced participle clause
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3.1
1.
2.
3.
4.
Seeing the dog coming towards her,
Dressed all in black,
Not having a credit card,
Being unemployed, Keith spent a lot of time
filling in job application forms.
5. Determined to get a higher mark in her IELTS
test, she enrolled on a revision course.
6. Believing that the increase in carbon dioxide…
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3.1
7. After signing such an agreement, each
government will have to enforce it.
8. This study focuses on leisure, grandparenting
and partner relationships, leading to
conclusions…
9. Being in charge of the research project,
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3.2
Should you always use reduced participle
clauses?
What factors will influence your choice?
• Clarity for the intended reader. It can be
clearer NOT to use a reduced participle clause.
Instead, use a use a linking word with a
subject and a verb.
• With reduced participle clauses, the subject of
both clauses must be the same.
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4.1
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Because she is a nurse…
Although he is known…
While she kept…
Because it was built of wood,
Because I was walking quickly,
Although she lived near the Scottish border,
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4.2
Reduced participle clauses can represent any
tense. How can this help you when you are
reading?
• If you see a reduced relative clause that you
don’t understand, decide on the subject of the
verb, and try substituting different tenses until
it makes sense.
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5.1
Problem: the reduced participle clause has a
different subject to the verb in the main clause.
1. Because it was home-made, I found the cake
delicious.
2. While I was waiting for the bus, a car went
through a puddle and splashed water all over
me.
3. As we looked down from the hill, the town
spread out before us towards the coast.
4. I felt rather sick as the boat ploughed through
the huge waves.
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5.2
Having + past participle can be used for active
verbs, often to show the action (usually in the
past perfect) was completed before the main
clause happened.
1. He had spent his childhood in Oslo so he
knew the city well.
2. When/Because she had completed the book,
she had a holiday.
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5.3
Having + been + past participle can be used for
passive verbs, often to show the action (usually
in the past perfect) was completed before the
main clause happened.
3. Although it had been hunted close to
extinction, the rhino is once again common in
this area.
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