APPENDIX+B

listen [|here] APPENDIX B SENTENCE STRUCTURE _

It is important when you are producing material on the TOEFL iBT that you use a variety of correct sentence structures. You should be sure that you know how to use simple sentences, compound sentences, and complex sentences.

Appendix B1: USE CORRECT SIMPLE SENTENCES A simple sentence is a sentence that has only one clause.f Two types of sentence structure errors are common in sentences with only one clause: (1) the clause can be missing a subject or a verb, and (2) the clause can be introduced by a subordinate adverb clause connector.

The first type of incorrect simple sentence is a sentence that is missing a subject or a verb. (Note that an asterisk is used to indicate that a sentence contains an error.) Generally, ~ important to fill out the form completely.*

VERB The ideas for the construction of the project."

SUBJECT

The first sentence is incorrect because it has the verb

is but is missing a subject. The second

sentence is incorrect because it has a subject ideas but is missing a verb.

Another type of incorrect simple sentence is one that includes a subordinate adverb clause connector in front of the subject and the verb. The following chart lists common subordinate adverb clause connectors.

SUBORDINATEAbvERB <::LAOSEC6NNECTOnS ••.••.•.••.•...••.,...•,..•

. ......•..............

r as soon as > wheri•) ,', .:

•••••••cONrRAsTi •••••••••.•••MANNER••.V••\ pLACE \. ..... ••••althtJgh < ....:.~i•h.(.a.)swmthuacht as. > " .r...~.p1••oo;vv~.~•,.es.~d.•.•,d•n••.?g~;.•...... •.•. •.•.••••. tW:~h~;I.~I..•..e•0g.•.t.t..h~.hG.: ? I'"

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>bef6re < 'when~v~r ••••••sirlc.e\ •.•i•..•JI1I~s~_i i, :where~5)/

.•••••b:Yth~••1:iIllJ. WbHe(•.•.•••.•••.•••i•' .•.•.•'•• --' whetl1er•.•.••..•.•.•'•.•••••• Look at the following examples of incomplete sentences. Because the manager of the company instructed me to do it.*

SUBJECT VERB Even though the contest was run in an unfair manner. *

SUBJECT VERB The first sentence is incorrect because the subordinate adverb clause connector Because is in front of the subject manager and the verb instructed. The second sentence is incorrect because

4 A clause is a group of words that has both a subject and a verb.

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APPENDIXB 507

the subordinate adverb clause connector Even though is in front of the subject contest and the verb was run. The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about using correct simple sentences. '. '", :.~'.: . . .. . . ". '.' ",

.. USINGCORRECTSIMPLESENTENc.:••..••••,.•.i.• 

•.•......, ....•..•.•.•.•.•

APPENDIX EXERCISE Bl: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Put parenthe­ ses around the subordinate clause connectors. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (1). 1. The obvious reasons for the selection of the candidate. 2. When everyone in the room decided to leave. 3. I found the ideas rather unsettling. 4. Often discusses the advantages of the situation. 5. A preference for movies with lots of action. 6. Fortunately, the piece of paper with the crucial information was found. 7. As soon as the article appears in the newspaper. 8. Definitely is not proper to make that suggestion. 9. His agreement with me about the important issues. 10. It happened that way. 11. As no one else in the world would have made the same decision. 12. Without any hesitation made a decision not to return. 13. An agreement as to the amount to be paid has been reached. 14. A poem written on a piece offaded parchment. 15. Now that you have told me about your childhood. 16. We forgot. 17. To take the medicine at the right time to be the most effective. 18. If you think about the problem just a little more. 19. Unfortunately, the manager already made the decision. 20. Even though you gave me a gift for my birthday.

508 APPENDIXB

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Appendix 82: USE CORRECT COMPOUND SENTENCES A compound sentence is a sentence that has more than one main clause.I The main clauses in a compound sentence can be connected correctly with a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet) and a comma 0 or with a semi-colon. Look at the following examples. Jack studies hard. He gets high grades. Jack studies hard, so he gets high grades. Jack studies hard; he gets high grades. In the first example, the two main clauses Jack studies hard and He gets high grades are not combined into a compound sentence. In the second example, the two main clauses are com­

\ bined into a compound sentence with the coordinate conjunction

so and a comma. In the

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third example, the same two main clauses are combined into a compound sentence with a semi-colon.

It is possible to use adverb transitions in compound sentences. (See Appendix A3 for a list

of transition expressions.) It is important to note that adverb transitions are not conjunctions, so either a semi-colon or a coordinate conjunction with a comma is needed.

Look at the following examples of sentences with adverb transitions. Jack studies hard. As a result, he gets high grades.

Jack studies hard, and, as a result, he gets high grades. Jack studies hard; as a result, he gets high grades. In the first example, the two main clauses Jack studies hard and he gets high grades are not combined into a compound sentence even though the adverb transition As a result is used. In the second example, the two main clauses are combined into a compound sentence with the coordinate conjunction and and a comma; the adverb transition as a result is included after the coordinate conjunction. In the third example, the same two main clauses are combined into a compound sentence with a semi-colon, and the adverb transition is set off from the second main clause with a comma.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about using

correct compound sentences.

USING CORRECT COMPOUNDSENTENCES. •. L' .A compound sentence IS a sentence with more than one main clause.. < ....•'.. '.

.:2; The main clauses in'a compund sentel1ce ma~ibe joined with either a semi.; ".,'.

' colon {;)or a coordinate conjunction {arid,but,oi, so,yet)ancia comma ~ :.

, 3. An adverb transitlon can be used in' a compound sentence, but either a

. colon or a coordinate conjunction arid a comma is still needed.

5 A main clause is an independent clause that has both a subject and a verb and is not introduced by a subordinate clause connector. APPENDIX B 509

...., ...., .....•,.,.,.,..,._-_.

APPENDIX EXERCISE B2: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in the main clauses. Put parentheses around the punctuation, transitions, and connectors that join the main clauses. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

1. The matter was really important(.) !could to decide too quickly. 2. The children broke the rules, but their parents did not find out. 3. She expected to graduate in the spring, however she did not graduate until fall. 4. My family moved a lot during my youth; as a result, I always had to make new friends.

5. I made a finn promise to my friend and I vowed to keep it. 6. Sam did not sign in before work, so he signed in afterwards.

7. The students waited in a long line to register. Finally, they got to the front of the line.

8. His parents advised him to think about it some more he did not take their advice. 9. My first job in the company was as a part-time worker, later I was given a full-time job.

10. Tom really wanted to be successful, yet he did not know how to accomplish this.

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11. We must return the books to the library today, otherwise we will have to pay a fine. 12. She always tries not to get too angry. However, she sometimes loses her temper. 13. Therefore she has gotten a job, she can pay all of her bills.

14. She had the surgery recommended by her doctor; as a result, she is doing better now.

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.'"~ 15. They left the money in a savings account, it began to collect some interest. 16. I wanted to get a high-paying job last summer; unfortunately, this was impossible. 17. I will have to study harder, or I will not be able to get a scholarship.


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., 18. An accident happened at the corner, afterwards, the police came and wrote a report. 19. The plan has a number of advantages it also has a number of disadvantages. 20. The directions must be followed exactly; otherwise, the outcome will be very bad.

51 0 APPENDIXB

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Appendix 83: USE CORRECT COMPLEX SENTENCES

A complex sentence is a sentence with one main clause and at least one subordinate clause.6

Noun, adjective, and adverb clauses are all types of subordinate clauses. Each of the following

sentences is a complex sentence because it contains a subordinate clause.

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I cannot believe (what he did).

NOUN CLAUSE The runner (who finishes first) wins the trophy.

ADJECTIVECLAUSE I will return to the job (when I am able).

ADVERBCLAUSE The first complex sentence contains the subordinate noun clause what he did. The second complex sentence contains the subordinate adjective clause who finishes first. The final com­ plex sentence contains the subordinate adverb clause when I am able.

. A variety of errors with complex structures can occur in student writing, but two errors that occur with great frequency are (1) repeated subjects after adjective clauses, and (2) repeated subjects after noun clauses as subjects. To understand these two problems, you must recognize adjective and noun clauses. The following chart lists connectors that introduce adjective and noun clauses.

SUBORD.INATEADJECTIVEAND •NOlJN <:tAuSECC)N.NEctORS\.<>.

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Look at the following examples of errors with adjective and noun clauses. A good friend (who lives down the street) she= did me a favor.

SUBJECT SUBJECT VERB (What my advisor told me yesterday)!!* was very helpful.

NOUN CLAUSESUBJECT SUBJECT VERB The first sentence is incorrect because it contains an extra subject. The correct subject friend comes before the adjective clause who lives down the street, and an extra subject she comes after the adjective clause. To correct this sentence, you should omit the extra subject she. The second sentence is also incorrect because it contains an extra subject. What my advisor told me yesterdayis a noun clause subject, and this noun clause subject is followed by the extra subject it. To correct this sentence, you should omit the extra subject it.

6 A subordinate clause is a dependent clause that has both a subject and a verb and is introduced by a subordinate clause connector. ,>J_

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APPENDIXB. 511

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about using correct complex sentences.


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su'b'ordin'ate'cl~'li:~es~::':;:.:'.'":::..,::.: :-:'".,~...". .'..:",'::,"",\~"':'".::':..:~.\..:\~:''.:'.:>.':::. ::::.:~'::','.":::."."":"

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. .subjectafter the adjective clalJ~e; ... ..'. .: {: ..'

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'. after the nouh clause. .: . ,...

APPENDIX EXERCISE B3: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in the main clauses. Put parentheses around the subordinate noun and adjective clauses. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). 1. The reason (that) he took the money it was to pay the bills. 2. Why the man did something so terrible will never be known. 3. The ticket that I need to get onto the plane was not included in the packet. 4. What the lifeguard did it was quite heroic. S. The day when I found out the news it was a good day. 6. The teacher whose advice I remember to this day was my sixth grade teacher. 7. Where we went on vacation it was such a gorgeous place. 8. That he really said those words it could not be refuted. 9. The man who helped me the most in my life he was my high school coach. 10. How the paper got finished on time remains unclear to me. 11. What caused the accident on the freeway it is still unknown. 12. The plans that we made for our trip were not carefully thought out. 13. The process by which the decisions were made it was very slow. 14. Whatever she gets is what she deserves. 15. The employee who has the information that you need is out of the office. 16. What he wrote in the letter it could not be taken back. 17. The officer who stopped me on the highway he gave me a ticket for speeding. 18. How he could believe something that is so incredible is beyond me. 19. The reason that I applied to the public school was that the tuition was lower. 20. Why they said what they said to the man who tried to help them it was not clear.

512 APPENDIXB

APPENDIX REVIEW EXERCISE (BI-B3): Correct the errors in the following passages.

L~ 1._I have two very personal reasons for coming to this conclusion. One of the reasons is

related to my family relationships, the other is related to my finances. 2. A decision has been reached but the decision has not yet been announced. We must wait until four o'clock, that is when the decision will be announced. 3. What just happened this morning it was a complete shock to me. My math professor announced in class this morning that the exam that was scheduled for next Friday

it would be given this morning. Unfortunately, I was not prepared for the exam this

L morning because did not expect the exam to be given then.

4. The department has announced that only two scholarships will be awarded and that

more than a hundred applications for the scholarships have already been received. Nonetheless, I am still going to submit my application. 5. My family never really wanted to make so many moves, it had to do so. Because it was necessary for my father's career, so we moved almost every year. 6. I expect your papers to be very clearly organized; thus, you are required to turn in an outline before you complete your papers. Your outline should be turned in within two weeks; the final paper is not due for two months. 7. The university is considering implementing an increase in tuition for the coming year.

The students believe that tuition should not be raised, however, the students will most likely not get what they want. 8. The details of the report are confidential, they will not be made public. If want to find out about the report, what you must do it is to file a petition to get hold of the report. 9. My dream house is one that would be in the mountains. It would be surrounded by trees and it would have a view of a gorgeous lake. Moreover, the only noises that could be heard they would be the sounds of birds singing. 10. You must develop your ideas thoroughly. If you make a statement, you should be sure

to support that statement. You may use many kinds of ideas to support a statement. For example, you may use details, reasons, or examples.

APPENDIXB 513