Chapter 3 Making correct and effective sentences12

Chapter 3 Making correct and effective sentences造正确有效的句子2008.12/128 A Main Clause in a Complex SentenceIn a Complex sentence there must be a main clause, whether it is at the beginning or at the end of the sentence.9 Proper Use of ComparisonsAdjectives or adverbs of the comparative degree should be used only when there is comparison.But we should not use adjectives or adverbs of the comparative degree when there is no comparison, explicit or implied.In addition, we should remember that only things of the same kind can be compared.10 Correct Use of the TenseSince a predicate verb must be used in a certain tense, we should learn to use the tensescorrectly. Tenses tell the action of the verb takes place. Whenever we make a sentence, we should ask ourselves when the thing mentioned in the sentence happens, and use the right tense to report it. Perhaps the perfect tenses are more difficult than the other tenses and deserve greater attention. When we talk about something that happened in the past, but its result remains at present, we should use the present perfect.So far we have been talking about the requirements of correct sentences and a few common mistakes. There are of course many other types of mistakes. The best way to deal with them is to review grammar and study the entries we are not clear about in a dictionary, and observe the use of words, while we are learning new things, we can discover and correct our old mistakes.Focus 2 Coordination and SubordinationWhen we mention two or more things or ideas of equal importance, we often use coordination clause joined with a coordinating conjunction(and, but, or, nor, yet, so, or, for). This form or method is called coordination.When we express an important idea in a main clause and one or more less important ideas in subordinate clauses, we are using method of subordination.It is clear that the choice of coordination or subordination is mainly decided by the relationship between the ideas to be expressed. In each of the following sentences more than one fact or idea is mentioned.There is one thing we should pay attention to: the use of conjunctive verbs such as however, therefore, nevertheless, moreover, and besides.In the new versions not only clauses, but also parallel predicate verbs and participial and infinitive phrases are used in place of sentences. This shows that coordinating andsubordinating are not only ways of combining sentences. Sometimes complete sentences may be turned into phrases or single verbs without loss in meaning.Short sentences are not only emphatic, but effective in describing a series of quick movements and actions. Generally speaking, both short and long sentences should be used ; using one type of sentences continuously would be monotonous.Focus 3 Effective SentencesA correct sentence may not express the idea it intends to express very clearly or forcefully. Correctness alone can not make a good sentence. It has to be effective at the same time. Effective sentences have some or all the following qualities: unity, coherence, conciseness, emphasis, and variety.1 UnityUnity refers to two qualities: there is only one main idea in a sentence, and that idea iscomplete.This does not mean that all sentences have to be short and simple. It is often necessary to write a long sentence with many parts in it. Such a sentence expresses a central idea supported or modified by various subordinate ideas, or two or more related parallel ideas. In other words, ideas that are closely connected can be expressed in one sentence, while ideas that are not closely connected should not be put into one sentence.2 CoherenceCoherence means clear and correct arrangement of the parts of a sentence. Since the meaning of English sentences mainly depends on word order, the arrangement of the parts of a sentence is especially important to accurate expression of ideas. A coherent sentence is easy to understand and its meaning cannot be mistaken, because the connection between its words conforms to grammar rules and usage.A participial phrase expresses an action done by the person or the thing denoted by the noun it modifies.A modifier should be placed as close as possible to the word it modifies. If they are far from each other, misunderstanding may arise.Similarly, we should also be careful when we make changes in tense, voice and mood.Wherever possible, parallel ideas should be expressed in parallel constructions, which give the reader the feeling that the ideas are equally important.In short, coherence is essential to the accurate and clear expression of ideas. So it is a good habit to reread the sentences we have written to see whether they are coherence, and make necessary changes if they are not.3 ConcisenessWe write sentences to express ideas. The use of words in a sentence, therefore, is decided by the idea it expresses. Needless words do not help express ideas; on thecontrary, they obscure the meaning and confuse the reader. So one of the rules of sentence-making is to use only the necessary words, or as few words as possible so long as the meaning is fully expressed.But often we tend to put a superfluous多余的word here and there in a sentence. This habit may come from the way we talk. It is common in speaking to repeat a word, use words of similar meaning together, and change words we have said and even the structure of a sentence in the middle of it. But we should not do so in writing. This is possible because when we write we have time to check what we have written and delete all the words that are not needed for the expression of ideas, or to make our sentences concise.Here are a few hints for making concise and clear sentences;A, Use a pronoun instead of repeating a noun; B, Use a word instead of a phrase with the same meaning, and use a phrase instead of aclause with the same meaningC, Do not repeat words or phrases, if possible, in a sentence or in one that follows;D, Do not use different words or phrases with similar meanings in the same sentence;E, Do not repeat the same idea in different sentences except for emphasis.4 EmphasisWhen we talk, we emphasize an important idea by raising our voices or making a gesture. When we write, we also have ways to lay emphasis on certain words or phrases. PlacingThe end and the beginning of a sentence usually attract the reader’s attention, so important elements of a sentence should be put at these tao places, especially the end. Climactic sequenceIn enumerating列举things or ideas, we should start from the least important and end with the most important, or in the climactic高潮的sequence.The use of verbs in the active voiceVerbs are generally more emphatic than nouns or any other part of speech. SubordinationWe have talked about subordination and coordination. Subordinating a part of a sentence is a way of giving emphasis to the main idea in the sentence.Repeating important wordsRepetition as a rule should be avoided, but occasionally important words can be repeated for the sake of emphasis.Short sentencesShort sentences are often emphatic, especially after longer ones.Balanced sentencesA balanced sentence is one that consists of two parts of the same structure and roughly the same length, and with contrasted(or similar) ideas.Periodic sentences圆周句(指主要意义至句尾始明白的句子)A periodic sentence is one that is not complete in structure or meaning until it reaches the last word, which is the most important word of the sentence.A sentence in which the main clause or its predicate is withheld until the end; for example,周期句：主句或谓语在句末的句子；例如：Despite heavy winds and nearly impenetrable ground fog, the plane landed safely.尽管有强风和无法看透的地雾，飞机安全着陆When we read this sentence we are not kept in suspense for the main meaning, as we are when reading the periodic one, and we fell its force is weaker. But the loose sentence may sound more natural and may be easier to understand.Negative-positive statementsWhen a negative statement is followed by a positive one, the meaning is emphasized by the contrast.Rhetorical questions反问They are questions in form but emphatic statements in meaning. They are not asked to be answered.5 VarietyA series of sentences of the same structure and length with the same noun or pronoun as the subjects produce monotony. It is often good to vary structures and mix short and long, simple and compound or complex, loose and periodic sentences, so long as the meaning is properly expressed.。