Section 2

STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

The second section of the TOEFL test is the Structure and Written Expression section. This section consists of forty questions (some tests may be longer). You have twenty-five minutes to complete the forty questions in this section.

There are two types of questions in the Structure and Written Expression section of the TOEFL test:

1. Structure (questions 1 – 15) consists of fifteen sentences in which part of the sentence has been replaced with a blank. Each sentence is followed by four answer choices. You must choose the answer that completes the sentence in a grammatically correct way.

2. Written Expression (questions 16 – 40) consists of twenty-five sentences in which four words or groups of words have been underlined. You must choose the underlined words or group of words that is not correct.

The following skills will help you to implement these strategies in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.

SIMPLE SENTENCE

A simple sentence is a sentence that has only one clause.

SKILL 1: BE SURE THE SENTENCE HAS A SUBJECT AND A VERB

Example 1

………. was backed up for miles on the freeway.

(A). Yesterday

(B). In the morning

(C). Traffic

(D). Cars

In this example you should notice immediately that there is a verb (was), but there is no subject. Answer (C) is the best answer because it is singular subject that agrees with the singular verb was.

Example 2

Engineers …….…. for work on the new space program.

(A). necessary

(B). are needed

(C). hopefully

(D). next month

In this example you should notice immediately that the sentence has a subject (engineers), and that there is no verb. Because answer (B), are needed, is a verb, it is the best answer.

Example 3

The boy ………….. going to the movies with a friend.

(A). he is

(B). he always was

(C). is relaxing

(D). will be

In this example you should notice immediately that the sentence has a subject (the boy), but the verb is incomplete. Therefore, answer (D) is the best answer; will be together with going is a complete verb.

The following chart outlines what you should remember about subjects and verbs:

SUBJECTS AND VERBS

A subject in English must have at least one subject and one verb.

EXERCISE 1: Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the following sentences. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

 1.  …… Last week went fishing for trout at the nearby mountain lake.

 2.  …… A schedule of the day’s events can be obtained at the front desk.

 3. …… A job on the day shift or the night shift at the plant available.

 4. …… The new computer program has provides a variety of helpful applications.

 5. …… The box can be opened only with a special screwdriver.

 6. …… The assigned text for history class it contains more than twenty chapters.

 7. …… The papers in the wastebasket should be emptied into the trash can outside.

 8. …… Departure before dawn on a boat in the middle of the harbor.

 9. …..  Yesterday found an interesting article on pollution.

10. ….. The new machine is processes 50 percent more than the previous machine.

SKILL 2: BE CAREFUL OF OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

An object of a preposition is a noun or a pronoun that comes after a preposition, such as in, at, of, to, by, behind, on, and so on, to form a prepositional phrase.

Example 1:

(After his exams) Tom will take a trip (by boat).

This sentence contains two objects of prepositions. Exams is the object of the preposition after and boat is the object of the preposition by.

Example 2:

With his friend …………….. found the movie theater.

(A). has

(B). he

(C). later

(D). when

In this example you should look first for the subject and the verb. You should notice the verb found and should also notice that there is no subject. Because a subject is needed in this sentence, answer (B), he, is the best answer.

The following chart outlines the key information that you should remember about objects of prepositions.

OBJECT OF PREPOSITIONS

A preposition is followed by a noun or pronoun that is called an object of the preposition. If a word is an object of a preposition, it is not the subject.

EXERCISE 2: Each of the following sentences contains one or more prepositional phrases. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the prepositional phrases that come before the verb. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

.1. ….. The interview by radio broadcasters were carried live by the station.

 2. ….. In the last possible moment before takeoff took his seat in the airplane.

 3. ….. At the neighborhood flower shop, flowers in quantities of a dozen or a half dozen can be

            delivered for free.

 4. ….. The progressive reading methods at this school are given credit for the improved test

            scores.

 5. ….. For the last three years at various hospitals in the country has been practicing medicine.

 6. ….. In the past a career in politics was not considered acceptable in some circles.

 7. ….. Shopping in the downtown area of the city it has improved a lot in recent years.

 8. ….. At the building site the carpenters with the most experiences were given the most

            intricate work.

 9. ….. For the fever and headache took two aspirin tablets.

10. …. The report with complete documentation was delivered at the conference.

SKILL 3: BE CAREFUL OF APPOSITIVES

An appositive is a noun that comes before or after another noun and has the same meaning.

Example 1

Sally, the best student in class, got an A on the exam.

In this example Sally is the subject of the sentence and the best student in the class can easily be recognized as an appositive phrase because of the noun student and because of the commas. The sentence says that Sally and the best student in the class are the same person.

Example 2

……………, George, is attending the lecture.

(A). Right now

(B). Happily

(C). Because of the time

(D). My friend

In this example you should recognize from the commas that George is not the subject of the sentence. George is an appositive. Because this sentence still needs a subject, the best answer is (D), my friend.

Example 2

………………, Sarah rarely misses her basketball shots.

(A). An excellent basketball player

(B). An excellent basketball player is

(C). Sarah is an excellent basketball player

(D). Her excellent basketball play

In this example you can tell that Sarah is the subject and misses is the verb because there is no comma separating them. In the space you should put an appositive for Sarah, and Sarah is an excellent basketball player, so answer (A) is the best answer.

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

APPOSITIVES

An appositive is a noun that comes before or after another noun and is generally set off from the noun with commas. If a word is an appositive, it is not the subject. The following appositive structures are both possible in English.

Tom,   a really good mechanic,     is fixing   the car.  Subject,        Appositive,                     Verb

A really good mechanic,    Tom          is  fixing   the car.       Appositive,                    Subject          Verb

EXERCISE 3: Each of the following sentences contains an appositive. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the appositive phrases. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

  .1. ….. The son of the previous owner, the new owner is undertaking some fairly broad

              changes in management policy.

   2. ….. Last semester, a friend, graduated cum laude from the university.

   3. ….. Valentine’s Day, February 14, is a special holiday for sweethearts.

   4. ….. At long last, the chief executive officer, has decided to step down.

   5. ….. Tonight’s supper, leftovers from last night, did not taste any better tonight than last

              night.

   6. ….. The only entrance to the closet, the door was kept locked at all times.

   7. ….. In the cold of winter, a wall heating unit, would not turn on.

   8. ….. The new tile pattern, yellow flowers on a white background, really brightens up the

              room.

   9. ….. The high-powered computer the most powerful machine of its type, was finally

              readied for use.

 10. ….. A longtime friend and confident, the psychologist was often invited over for Sunday

              dinner.

SKILL 4: BE CAREFUL OF PRESENT PARTICIPLE

A present participle is the –ing form of the verb (talking, playing). Present participle can be either a part of the verb or an adjective. It is part of the verb when it is preceded by some form of the verb be.

Example:

The man is talking to his friend.

                   VERB

In this sentence talking is part of the verb because it is accompanied by is.

A present participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb be.

Example:

The man talking to his friend has a beard.

               ADJECTIVE

In this sentence talking is an adjective and not part of the verb because it is not accompanied by some form of be.

Example:

The child ……….. playing in the yard is my son.

(A). now

(B). is

(C). he

(D). was

In this sentence there is a subject (child) and a verb (is), so this sentence does not need another subject or verb. The best answer is (A).

The following chart outlines what you should remember about present participles:

PRESENT PARTICIPLES

A present participle is the –ing form of the verb. The present participle can be (1) part of the verb or (2) an adjective. It is part of the verb when it is accompanied by some form of the verb be. It is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of the verb be.  1. The boy is standing in the corner.  2. The boy standing in the corner was naughty.

EXERCISE 4: Each of the following sentences contains one or more present participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the present participles and label them as adjective or verbs. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

.1. ….. The companies offering the lowest prices will have the most customers.

 2. ….. Those travelers are completing their trip on Delta should report to Gate Three.

 3. ….. The artisans were demonstrating various handicrafts at booths throughout the fair.

 4. ….. The fraternities are giving the wildest parties attract the most new pledges.

 5. ….. The first team winning four games is awarded the championship.

 6. ….. The speaker was trying to make his point was often interrupted vociferously.

 7. ….. The fruits were rotting because of the moisture in the crates carrying them to market.

 8. ….. Any students desiring official transcripts should complete the appropriate form.

 9. ….. The advertisements were announcing the half-day sale received a lot of attention.

10. …. The spices flavoring the meal were quite distinctive.

SKILL 5: BE CAREFUL OF PAST PARTICIPLES

A past participle can be either an adjective or a part of a verb. The past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be. It often ends in –ed, but there are also many irregular past participles in English.

Example

The family has purchased a television.

                         VERB

 The poem was written by Paul.

                        VERB

In the first sentence the past participle purchased is part of the verb because it is accompanied by has. In the second sentence the past participle written is part of the verb because it is accompanied by was.

A past participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of be or have.

Example:

The television purchased yesterday was expensive.

                          ADJECTIVE

 The poem written by Paul appeared in the magazine.

                 ADJECTIVE

In the first sentence purchased is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have. In the second sentence written is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have.

Example

The packages ……………. mailed at the post office will arrive Monday.

(A). have                                            (C). them

(B). were                                            (D). just

In this example, if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that packages is the subject. Answer (D) is the best answer to this question.

 The following chart outlines what you should remember about past participles:

PAST PARTICIPLES

A past participle often ends in – ed, but there are also many irregular past participles. 1. The past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be.      They have painted the wall. 2. The past participle is the form of the adjective that appears without have or be.      The picture painted by Karen is now in a museum.

EXERCISE 5: Each of the following sentences contains one or more past participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the past participles and label them as adjectives or verbs. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

....... 1. The money was offered by the client was not accepted.

…….. 2. The car listed in the advertisement had already stalled.

…….. 3. The chapters were taught by the professor this morning will be on next week’s exam.

…….. 4. The loaves of bread were baked in a brick oven at a low temperature for many hours.

…….. 5. The ports were reached by the sailors were under the control of a foreign nation.

…….. 6. Those suspected in the string of robberies were arrested by the police.

…….. 7. The pizza is served in this restaurant is the tastiest in the country.

…….. 8. The courses are listed on the second page of the brochure have several prerequisites.

…….. 9. All the tenants were invited to the Independence Day barbecue at the apartment

             complex.

……. 10. Any bills paid by the first of the month will be credited to your account by the next day.

EXERCISE (SKILLS 1 – 5): Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the following sentences. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

….. 1. For three weeks at the beginning of the semester students with fewer than the maximum

           number of units can add additional courses.

….. 2. On her lunch hour went to a nearby department store to purchase a wedding gift.

….. 3. The fir trees were grown for the holiday season were harvested in November.

….. 4. In the grove the overripe oranges were falling on the ground.

….. 5. The papers being delivered at 4:00 will contain the announcement of the president’s

           resignation.

….. 6. A specialty shop with various blends from around the world in the shopping mall.

….. 7. The portraits exhibited in the Houston Museum last month are now on display in Dallas.

….. 8. With a sudden jerk of his hand threw the ball across the field to one of the other players.

….. 9. Construction of the housing development it will be underway by the first of the month.

…. 10. Those applicants returning their completed forms at the earliest date have the highest

            priority.

TOEFL EXERCISE (SKILLS 1 – 5): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best complete the sentence.

.1. The North Platte River ………… from Wyoming into Nebraska.

(A). it flowed

(B). flows

(C). flowing

(D). with flowing water

 2. ………. Biloxi received its name from a Sioux word meaning “first people.”

(A). The city of

(B). Located in

(C). It is in

(D). The tour included

 3. A pride of lions …….. up to forty lions, including one to three males, several females, and cubs.

(A). can contain

(B). it contains

(C). contain

(D). containing

 4. ……. tea plant are small and white.

(A). The

(B). On the

(C). Having flowers the

(D). The flowers of the

 5. The tetracyclines, ……….. antibiotics, are used to treat infections.

(A). are a family of

(B). being a family

(C). a family of

(D). their family is

 6. Any possible academic assistance from taking stimulants ……….. marginal at best.

(A). it is

(B). there is

(C). is

(D). as

 7. Henry Adams, born in Boston, ………….. famous as a historian and novelist.

(A). became

(B). and became

(C). he was

(D). and he became

 8. The major cause …………… the pull of the Moon on the Earth.

(A). The ocean tides are

(B). of ocean tides is

(C). of the tides in the ocean

(D). the oceans’ tides

 9. Still a novelty in the late nineteenth century, ……….. limited to the rich.

(A). was

(B). was photography

(C). It was photography

(D). photography was

10. A computerized map of the freeways using information gathered by sensors embedded in the pavement ………… on a local cable channel during rush hours.

(A). airs

(B). airing

(C). air

(D). to air

SENTENCES WITH MULTIPLE CLAUSES

Many sentences in English have more than one clause. (A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb).

COMPOUND SENTENCES

A compound sentence is a sentence that has more than one main clause. A main clause is an independent clause that has both a subject and a verb and is not introduced by a subordinate clause connector. The main clauses in a compound sentence can be connected correctly with a coordinate conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet) and a comma (,) 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 combined into a compound sentence with coordinate conjunction so and a comma.

SKILL 6: USE COORDINATE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

Example

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 (,).

Example:

A power failure occurred, …………………… the lamps went out.

(A). then                                (C). later

(B). so                                     (D). next

In this example you should notice quickly that there are two clauses, a power failure occurred and the lamp went out. This sentence needs a connector to join the two clauses. The best answer is answer (B) because so can connect two clauses.

The following chart lists the coordinate connectors and the sentence pattern used with them:

COORDINATE CONNECTORS

and                               but                          or                          so                               yet

She   laughed,                      but                     she wanted to cry. S             V,               coordinate connector     S         V

EXERCISE 6: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

….. 1. The software should be used on an IBM computer, and this computer is an IBM.

….. 2. The rain clouds can be seen in the distance, but no has fallen.

….. 3. They are trying to sell their house, it has been on the market for two months.

….. 4. So the quality of the print was not good, I changed the typewriter ribbon.

….. 5. The lifeguard will warn you about the riptides, or she may require you to get out of the

           water.

….. 6. You should have finished the work yesterday, yet is not close to being finished today.

….. 7. The phone rang again and again, so the receptionist was not able to get much work done.

….. 8. The missing wallet was found, but the cash and credit cards had been removed.

….. 9. Or you can drive your car for another 2,000 miles, you can get it fixed.

….10. The chemist was awarded the Nobel Prize, he flew to Europe to accept it.

COMPLEX SENTENCES

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

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

Noun, adjective, adverb clauses are all types of subordinate clauses. Each of the following sentences is a complex sentence because it contains a subordinate clause.

I cannot believe (what he did)

                             NOUN CLAUSE

The runner (who finishes first) wins the trophy.

                     ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

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

                                        ADVERB CLAUSE

SKILL 7: USE ADVERB TIME AND CAUSE CONNECTOR CORRECTLY

The following chart lists adverb time and cause connectors.

ADVERB TIME AND CAUSE CONNECTORS
TIME	CAUSE
after         as soon as           once                when as                before                  since          whenever as long as        by the time            until         while	as                  now that              because        since              inasmuch as
S               V                         adverb connector                 S                 V      Teresa  went inside            because                                it              was raining
Adverb connector    S            V,                     S                         V Because                     it           was raining, Teresa               went inside.

EXERCISE 7: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

….. 1. Since the bank closes in less than an hour, the deposits need to be tallied immediately.

….. 2. Their backgrounds are thoroughly investigated before are admitted to the organization.

….. 3. The citizens are becoming more and more incensed about traffic accidents whenever the

           accidents occur at that intersection.

.... 4. The ground had been prepared, the seedlings were carefully planted.

.... 5. We can start the conference now that all the participants have arrived.

…. 6. The building quite vulnerable to damage until the storm windows are installed.

…. 7. Once the address label for the package is typed, can be sent to the mail room.

…. 8. Because the recent change in work shifts was not posted, several workers missed their

          shifts.

…. 9. The mother is going to be quite upset with her son as long he misbehaves so much.

…. 10. Inasmuch as all the votes have not yet been counted the outcome of the election cannot

            be announced.

SKILL 8: USE OTHER ADVERB CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

The following chart lists the adverb contrast, condition, manner, and place connectors.

OTHER ADVERB CONNECTORS
CONDITION	CONTRAST	MANNER	PLACE
if in case provided providing unless whether	although even though though while whereas	as in that	where wherever
S        V                            adverb connector                 S      V Bob  went to school         even though                     he    felt sick.
Adverb connector   S         V,              S                  V Even though           Bob    felt sick,   he              went to school.
EXERCISE 8: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Then, indicate if the sentences correct (C) or incorrect (I). ….. 1. It is impossible to enter that program if you lack experience as a teacher. ….. 2. The commandant left strict orders about the passes, several soldiers left the post            anyway. ….. 3. No one is admitted to the academy unless he or she the education requirements. ….. 4. While most students turned the assignment in on time, a few asked for an            extension. ….. 5. I will take you wherever need to go to complete the registration procedures. ….. 6. I will wait here in the airport with you whether the plane leaves on time or not. ….. 7. Providing the envelope is postmarked by this Friday, your application still            acceptable. ….. 8. As the nurse already explained all visitors must leave the hospital room now. ….. 9. This exam will be more difficult than usual in that it covers two chapters instead            of one. …. 10. Though snow had been falling all day long, everyone got to the church on time             for wedding. EXERCISE (SKILLS  6 – 8) Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice in each of the following sentences. Circle the connectors. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I). ….. 1. Until the registrar makes a decision about your status, you must stay in an unclassified category. ….. 2. Or the bills can be paid by mail by the first of the month. ….. 3. The parents left a phone number with the baby-sitter in case a problem with the children. ….. 4. The furniture will be delivered as soon it is paid for. ….. 5. Whenever you want to hold the meeting, we will schedule it. ….. 6. The government was overthrown in a revolution, the king has not returned to his homeland. ….. 7. Whereas most of the documents are complete, this form still needs to be notarized. ….. 8. Trash will be collected in the morning, so you should put the trash cans out tonight. ….. 9. It is impossible for the airplane to take off while is snowing so hard. …. 10. We did not go out to dinner tonight even though I would have preferred not to cook.

TOEFL EXERCISE (SKILL 6 – 8): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.

 1. The president of the U.S. appoints the cabinet members, ……………. appointments are subject to Senate approval.

(A). their

(B). with their

(C). because their

(D). but their

 2. The prisoners were prevented from speaking to reporters because ………….

(A). not wanting the story in the papers.

(B). the story in the papers the superintendent did not want

(C). the public to hear the story

(D). the superintendent did not want the story in the papers

 3. Like Thomas Berger’s fictional character Little Big Man, Lauderdale managed to find himself where ……………… of important events took place.

(A). it was an extraordinary number

(B). there was an extraordinary number

(C). an extraordinary number

(D). an extraordinary number existed

 4. ………………. sucked groundwater from below, some parts of the city have begun to sink as much as ten inches annually.

(A). Pumps have

(B). As pumps have

(C). So pumps have

(D). With pumps

 5. Case studies are the target of much skepticism in the scientific community, …………. used extensively by numerous researchers.

(A). they are

(B). are

(C). yet they

(D). yet they are

 6. According to the hypothesis in the study, the monarchs pick up the magnetic field of the ………….. migrate by following magnetic fields.

(A). target monarchs

(B). target since monarchs

(C). target since monarchs are

(D). target

 7. ………… show the relations among neurons, they do not preclude the possibility that other aspects are important.

(A). Neural theories

(B). A neural theory

(C). Although neural theories

(D). However neural theories

  8. ………….. or refinanced, the lender will generally require setting up an escrow account to ensure the payment of property taxes and home owner’s insurance.

(A). A home is

(B). A home is bought

(C). When a home

(D). When a home is bought

 9. If ultraviolet radiation enters the Earth’s atmosphere, …………….. generally blocked by the ozone concentrated in the atmosphere.

(A). it

(B). it is

(C). so it is

(D). then it

10. Among human chromosomes, the Y chromosome is unusual …………….. most of the chromosome does not participate in meiotic recombination.

(A). in

(B). so

(C). and

(D). in that

TOEFL REVIEW EXERCISE (Skill 1 – 8): Choose the letter of the word or group of words that best completes the sentence.

1. The three chords in …………. the tonic, the dominant, and the subdominant.

(A). functional harmony

(B). functional harmony is

(C). functional harmony are

(D). functional harmony they are

2. ………….. Hale Telescope, at the Palomar Observatory in southern California, scientists can photograph objects several billion light years away.

(A). The

(B). With the

(C). They use the

(D). It is the

3. Without the proper card installed inside the computer, ………….. impossible to run a graphical program.

(A). is definitely

(B). because of

(C). it is

(D). is

4. The charter for the Louisiana lottery was coming up for renewal, ……….. spared no expense in the fight to win renewal.

(A). the lottery committee

(B). so the lottery committee and

(C). so the lottery committee

(D). the lottery committee made

5. While in reality Alpha Centauri is a triple star, ………….to the naked eye to be a single star.

(A). it appears

(B). but it appears

(C). appears

(D). despite it

6. The Sun’s gravity severely distorted the path of the comet ………. entered its wildly erratic orbit around Jupiter.

(A). it

(B). when

(C). after the comet came into it

(D). once the comet

7. Each object ……….. Jupiter’s magnetic field is deluged with electrical charges.

(A). enters

(B). it enters

(C). entering

(D). enter

8. As its name suggests, the Prairie Wetlands Resource Center ………. the protection of wetlands on the prairies of the Dakotas, Montana, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

(A). it focuses

(B). focuses on

(C). focusing

(D). to focus on

9. One of the largest and most powerful birds of prey in the world, ……… a six-foot wingspan and legs and talons roughly the size of a man’s arms and legs.

(A). so the harpy has

(B). the harpy having

(C). with the harpy having

(D). the harpy has

10. ……….. creation of such a community was a desirable step, the requisite political upheaval had  to be accepted.

(A). Since the

(B). The

(C). Later, the

(D). It was the

SKILL 9: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS CORRECTLY

A noun clause is a clause that functions as a noun; because the noun clause is a noun, it is used in a sentence as either an object of a verb, an object of a preposition, or the subject of the sentence.

I know when he will arrive.

              NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF VERB

I am concerned about when he will arrive.

                               NOUN CLAUSE AS OBJECT OF PREPOSITION

When he will arrive is not important.

NOUN CLAUSE AS SUBJECT

The following chart lists the noun clause connectors and the sentence patterns used with them:

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTORS

- What, when, where, why, how            - whatever, whenever,   - whether, if       - that

Subject   Verb      Noun Clause as Object I               know     what you did Noun Clause as Subject as Subject             Verb What you did                                                  was           wrong

EXERCISE 9: Each of the following sentences contains more than one clause. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the connectors. Put boxes around the noun clauses. Then, indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).

…… 1. When the season starts is determined by the weather.

…… 2. The manual how the device should be built.

…… 3. The schedule indicated if the teams would be playing in the final game.

…… 4. He refused to enter a plea could not be determined by the lawyer.

…… 5. Talked about where we should go for lunch.

…… 6. Why the condition of the patient deteriorated so rapidly it was not explained.

…… 7. Whether or not the new office would be built was to be determined at the meeting.

…… 8. That the professor has not yet decided when the paper is due.

…… 9. The contract will be awarded is the question to be answered at the meeting.

…...10. He always talked with whomever he pleased and did whatever he wanted.

SKILL 10: USE NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS CORRECTLY

A noun clause connector can also be the subject of the clause at the same time.

I do not know what   is in the box.

                          Noun clause as object of verb

We are concerned about who will do the work.

                                               Noun clause as object of preposition

Whoever is coming to the party must bring a gift.

Noun clause as Subject

The following chart lists the noun clause connector/subjects and the sentence patterns used with them:

NOUN CLAUSE CONNECTOR/SUBJECTS

Who    what     which Whoever    whatever     whichever

Sumber : Debora philip (second edition) ;Longman