Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

1. Participle phrase
Model: a. Candidates writing on alternate lines will lose marks.
b. Young people in Hong Kong are fond of anything imported from Japan.
c. Poor little Mary, looking frustrated and bewildered, stood in front of her father.
d. The fifth annual meeting, chaired by the new director, was held in a hotel.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. The phrases are called participle phrases.
2. A participle phrase can start with a present or past participle.
3. They are used after the nouns they qualify.
4. The sentence may be defining (without commas), or non-defining (with commas).

Focus on
Usage: 1. See defining and non-defining relative clauses.
2. It is more concise than a pattern with relative clauses.
3. When a present participle is used, the phrase is in active voice; when a past participle is used,
the phrase is in passive voice.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using patterns above.

1. The van ran over a man. (The man was begging in the street.)

2. The restaurant waiter was finally sacked. (Many customers made complaints about him.)

3. Most of the goods are of high quality. (These goods are sold in this department store.)

4. The Clean Hong Kong Campaign does not take its desirable effect. (This campaign is launched nearly every year.)

5. The two-hundred-year-old tower will be demolished next September. (It stands near the church.)
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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

2. Preposition+which/whom
Model: a. The book for which I am looking is a computer menu.
b. Doctor Lee, in whom they have complete confidence, has emigrated to Canada recently.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. The preposition is placed before which or whom.
2. The use of prepositions depends on the verb or noun in the relative clause.
e.g. The book is a computer menu.
I am looking for the book.
= The book for which I am look is a computer menu.
3. The relative clause can be a defining or a non-defining clause.
e.g. The boy with whom Mary did shopping yesterday is my
cousin. (Defining)
Peter, with whom Mary did shopping yesterday, is my
cousin. (Non-defining)

Focus on
Usage: 1. It is used in formal writing.
e.g. The doctor in whom they have complete confidence
has emigrated to Canada. (Formal)
The doctor that (who) they have complete confidence
in has emigrated to Canada. (Informal)

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using the patterns above.

1. Peter works in our office. I was at school with Peter.

2. The owner of the restaurant gave us our money back. We complained to the owner.

3. Newspapers are surprisingly cheap. We read the latest reports.

4. The captain was a very experienced pilot. They dined at the pilot’s table.

5. Public opinion is often important. The Government pays no attention to it.

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

3. Adjective+preposition+noun
Model: a. His voice, pregnant with emotion, seemed to hypnotize her.
b. South China, successful in getting the champion, won applause from the football fans.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. The phrase used after the noun is called an adjective phrase. It is used to qualify the noun before it.
2. The construction of an adjective phrase in this pattern is adjective + preposition + noun.
3. The clause can be defining or non-defining.

Focus on
Usage: This pattern is often used in written English.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using patterns above.

1. The principal was unwilling to talk with the students. (He was occupied with his personal affairs.)

2. The fat man formed a laughable scene. (He was clumsy at working with his needle.)

3. The suspect would be on trial in June. (He was accused of murder.)

4. The prisoner killed himself in the cell. (He was unhappy with his misfortune.)

5. The suspect smiled in front of the camera. (He was acquitted of the murder change.)

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

4. so+adjective phrase+that…
Model: a. He was so fed up with his work that he desperately needed a holiday.
b. His parents were so disappointed with his results that they asked him to work in society.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. The expression so…that is a conjunction.
2. An adjective phrase, instead of an adjective is put between so and that.

Focus on
Usage: 1. This pattern is more advanced and formal in writing.
2. The so…that expression introduces a result.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using patterns above.

1. He was mad with rage. He killed his friend.

2. His voice was pregnant with emotion. She was greatly impressed.

3. The fat man was very clumsy with his needle. It formed a laughable scene.

4. The candidate beat his opponents easily because he was very proficient in English and French.

5. The audience was very impressed with the superb performance of the pianist. They began to shed tears.

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

5. if not …
Model: a. It is ridiculous, if not absurd, to see the attitude of the
British Government to the problem of Vietnamese
refugees.
b. Smoking in public places is certainly antisocial, it not criminal.
c. It is a pity, if not a disgrace that he failed the examination two times.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. The word following if not should be of the same part of speech as the word it compares with.
e.g. It is ridiculous, it not an absurd thing, to see … (Bad in style)
It is ridiculous, if not absurd, to see … (Good)
2. If not should immediately follow the expression it wants to compare with.

Focus on
Usage: 1. This is a more advanced pattern than the pattern starting with it is adjective to / that …
2. These patterns are used in written style.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using the patterns above.

1. It is disappointing to see that the Government cannot discourage young people from smoking.

2. It is surprising to receive the news of his death.

3. It is not likely to see any improvement to the problem.

4. The insurance company’s increase of premiums on cars is absolutely unfair.

5. He is a bit passive in his studies.

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

6. When, etc. + past participle …

Focus on
Grammar: In this pattern, the past participles go with suitable connectives
to express the following meanings:
a. time － when, whenever, while, once and until
b. place － where, wherever
c. condition － if, unless
d. concession － though, although, even though

Focus on
Usage: 1. This pattern is often used in written English.
2. It is still a simple sentence, though a lot of skill is used.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using the patterns above.

1. If you do not speak to him, the child never speaks. (until)

2. Unless the enemies attacked us, we would not take any action. (unless)

3. They did not give in although they were defeated for a second time. (even though)

4. When we found mosquitoes in a place, they should be exterminated. (where)

5. I was warned by my colleagues it might be worse in the evening. I was therefore careful to leave for home early.
(once)

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

7. Whether …
Model: a. Whether (or not) a new airport should be constructed in
Hong Kong has been a controversial topic of discussion recently.
b. Whether (or not) mercy killing should be legalized is widely
argued.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. Whether is a conjunction placed at the beginning of a sentence.
2. The clause following whether must be a complete clause.
3. In model (a) whether refers to the question ‘Should a new
airport be constructed in Hong Kong?’ The remark is ‘(This
question) is widely argued.’

Focus on
Usage: 1. It is used in formal writing.
2. Or not can be omitted.
3. It is common to make this mistake:
a. Whether a new airport should be constructed in Hong Kong. (Wrong)
b. Should a new airport be constructed in Hong Kong is widely argued. (Wrong)
c. Whether a new airport be constructed in Hong Kong is widely argued. (Correct)

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, beginning with whether.

1. Has nuclear energy been a good or bad invention?

2. Did students use to be more hard-working in the past?

3. Will Hong Kong maintain stability and prosperity?

4. Will the tax on tobacco be doubled next year?

5. Is there life after death?

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

8. In spite of / Despite …
Model: a. In spite of / Despite his numerous attempts, he failed.
b. He is an efficient worker in spite of / despite his indiscipline
/ (his) lack of discipline / (his) being so undisciplined.
c. In spite of / Despite what he said, I would not believe him.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. In spite of or despite can be put at the beginning or the middle of the sentence.
2. They are prepositions.
3. They must be followed by a noun, a noun phrase, or a noun clause.

Focus on
Usage: 1. It is used more often in written English.
2. Avoid using ‘in spite of / despite the fact that …’ too often
because the phrase can simply be replaced by although.
3. It is common to make these mistakes:
a. Despite of his numerous attempts, he failed. (Wrong)
b. In spite of he was hard-working, he failed. (Wrong)

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using in spite of / despite

1. Although he is trying to help her, she continues to grumble about the life she leads. (use ‘attempt’)

2. Although the weather was hot, our holiday turned out to be satisfactory.

3. The car was quite old, although it was in excellent condition.

4. Although she knew he had ill intention, she accepted his help.

5. Although the Government has spent a large sum of money on anti-smoking campaigns, still little improvement can
be seen.

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Sentence Structures (SS1)

Name: Class: ( ) Date:

9. Notwithstanding …
Model: a. Notwithstanding his illness, he kept on smoking heavily.
b. He kept on smoking heavily, notwithstanding his illness.
c. He kept on smoking heavily, his illness notwithstanding.

Focus on
Grammar: 1. Notwithstanding is a preposition.
2. It is followed by a noun, a noun phrase, or a noun clause.
3. It can be place at the beginning, the middle, or the end of a sentence.

Focus on
Usage: 1. It is the same as in spite of and despite, but it can be placed at the end of a sentence.
2. It is more formal than in spite of and despite.

Focus on
Practice: Rewrite the following sentences, using the patterns above.

1. Although there is criticism from the public, the law will go into effect.

2. He tackled the problem boldly although there is difficulty.

3. He kept on smoking regardless of the doctor’s advice.

4. Although he has promised to help us, we do not believe him.

5. Although the weather is bad, we will set out according to our plan.

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 S.4 Sentence Structures
Answer Key
Answers
1
1. The van ran over a man begging in the street.
2. The restaurant waiter, complaint about by many customers, was finally sacked.
3. Most of the goods sold in this department store are of high quality.
4. The Clean Hong Kong Campaign, launched nearly every year, does not take its desirable effect.
5. The two-hundred-year-old tower standing near the church will be demolished next September.

2
1. Peter, with whom I was at school, works in our office.
2. The owner of the restaurant, to whom we complained, gave us our money back.
3. Newspapers, in which we read the latest reports, are surprisingly cheap.
4. The captain, at whose table they dined, was a very experienced pilot.
5. Public opinion, to which the Government pays no attention, is often important.

3
1. The principal, occupied with his personal affairs, was unwilling to talk with the students.
2. The fat man, clumsy at working with his needle, formed a laughable scene.
3. The suspect, accused of murder, would be on trial in June.
4. The prisoner, unhappy with his misfortune, killed himself in the cell.
5. The suspect, acquitted of the murder charge, smiled in front of the camera.

4
1. He was so mad with rage that he killed his friend.
2. His voice was so pregnant with emotion that she was greatly impressed.
3. The fat man was so clumsy with his needle that it formed a laughable scene.
4. The candidate was so proficient in English and French that he beat his opponents easily.
5. The audience was so impressed with the superb performance of the pianist that they began to shed tears.

5
(Suggested answers only. Other answers acceptable.)
1. It is disappointing, if not despairing, to see that the Government cannot discourage young people from smoking.
2. It is surprising, if not shocking, to receive the news of his death.
3. It is not likely, if not impossible, to see any improvement to the problem.
4. The insurance company’s increase of premiums on cars is absolutely unfair, if not totally unreasonable.
5. He is a bit passive, if not apathetic, in his studies.

6
1. The child never speaks until spoken to.
2. Unless attacked, we will not take any action.
3. Even though defeated for a second time, they did not give in.
4. Mosquitoes should be exterminated where found.
5. Once warned by my colleagues it might be worse in the evening, I was therefore careful to leave for home early.

7
1. That people were more industrious in the past is doubtless.
2. That students participate in more extra-curricular activities nowadays is encouraging
3. That students study only for examinations is extremely disappointing.
4. That not all people have the opportunity to receive education is sad.
5. That the standard of living has risen substantially is undeniable.

8
1. In spite of / Despite his attempt to help her, she continues to grumble about the life she leads.
2. In spite of / Despite the hot weather, our holiday turned out to be satisfactory.
3. The car was quite old, in spite of / despite its excellent condition.
4. In spite of / Despite his all intention, she accepted his help.
5. In spite of / Despite a large sum of money on anti-smoking campaigns the Government has spent, still little improvement

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 can be seen.

9
1. Notwithstanding criticism from the public, the law will go into effect.
2. Notwithstanding the difficulty, he tackled the problem boldly.
3. Notwithstanding the doctor’s advice, he kept on smoking.
4. Notwithstanding his promise to help us, we do not believe him.
5. Notwithstanding the bad weather, we will set out according to our plan.

Alternatives:
1. The law will go into effect, criticism from the public notwithstanding.
2. He tackled the problem boldly, the difficulty notwithstanding.
3. He kept on smoking, the doctor’s advice notwithstanding.
4. We do not believe him, his promise to help us notwithstanding.
5. He will set out according to our plan, the bad weather notwithstanding.

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