Chapter 2 Sentences with Multiple Clauses Sentences with

Chapter 2 Sentences with Multiple Clauses

Sentences with multiple clauses Many sentences in English have more than one clause (A cause is group of words containing a subject and a verb). Whenever you find a sentence on the TOEFL test with more than one clause, you need to make sure that every subject has a verb and every verb has a subject. Next you need to check that the various clauses in the sentence are correctly joined. There are various ways to join clauses in English.

Use coordinate connectors correctly. When you have two clauses in an English sentence, you must connect the two clauses correctly. One way to connect two clauses is to use ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’, ‘so’, or ‘yet’ between he clauses. Tom is singing, and Paul is dancing. Tom is tall, but Paul is short. Tom must write the letter, or Paul will do it. Tom told a joke, so Paul laughed. Tom is tired, yet he is not going to sleep.

In each of these examples, there are two clauses that are correctly joined with a coordinate conjunction ‘and’, ‘but’, ‘or’, ‘so’, or ‘yet’ and a comma (, ). A power failure occurred, …………………the lamps went out. a. then b. so c. later d. next

Use adverb ‘time’ and ‘cause’ connectors correct. The time clause When a sentence contains two clauses, one clause may represent a ‘time clause’ or a clause that tells the time. I will sign the check before you leave. In this sentence, ‘before you leave’ represents a time clause, and ‘before’ is the connector. Please notice that the connector ‘before’ comes in the middle of the sentence, and no comma (, ) is used. Before you leave, I will sign the check. In this example, the connector ‘before’ comes at the beginning of the sentence. In this pattern, when the connector comes at the beginning of the sentence, a comma (, ) is required in the middle of the sentence.

The connectors usually used to connect the time clause and the other clause are: after as soon as once when as before since whenever as long as by the time until while

The cause clause is a clause that tells the cause or reason. Since he was late, I missed the appointment. In this example, ‘Since he was late’ is the cause clause that tells the cause or the reason of the other cause.

The connectors usually used to connect the time clause and the other clause are: as since now that because inasmuch as Look at the following sentences again. Teresa went inside because it was raining. Because it was raining, Teresa went inside.

Use other connectors correctly with adverb clauses Connectors used to express the condition if in case unless provided providing whether Connectors used to express the contrast although even though Connectors used to express the manner as in that Connectors used to express the place wherever while whereas

Examples I will leave at 7. 00 if I am ready. You will get a good grade on the exam provided you study. Although I was late, I managed to catch the train. Even though Bob felt sick, he went to school. The final examination is very difficult in that it contains the writing part. She is very attractive as she has got beautiful eyes.

Please notice that, in the first and the second sentence, the condition connector ‘if’ comes in the middle of the sentence, therefore, a comma (, ) is not required. In the third and the last sentence, the contrast connector ‘although’ comes at the beginning of the sentence, therefore, a comma (, ) is required in the middle of the sentence. However, a comma is often used in the middle of the sentence with a contrast connector. For example, The Smith family arrived at 2. 00, while the Jones family arrived an hour later.

References Phillips, D. (2001). Longman Complete Course for the TOEFL Test: Preparation for the Computer and Paper Tests. Whitel Plains, NY: Addison-Wesley Longman.