An Introduction to EAP Academic Skills in

“An Introduction to EAP – Academic Skills in English” Lesson 7 Writing: Sentence Mechanics

Kinds of Sentence Simple sentence = one independent clause The sun is shining today. l Compound sentence = two independent clauses The sun is shining today, and there are no clouds in the sky. l Complex sentence = one independent clause + one (or more) dependent clauses. We are going to the beach because the sun is shining today. l

Compound sentences are sentences which are made of two independent clauses. l There are two types: 1) Sentences joined with linking words called Coordinators: and / yet / so… 2) Sentences joined with Conjunctive adverbs: In addition, /However, /Therefore, … l

Coordinators & conjunctive adverbs Addition Contrast Expected result Alternative possibility and but so or In addition, Furthermore, Moreover, Also, Besides In contrast, On the other hand, However, Nevertheless As a result, Therefore, Consequently Thus, Hence, Otherwise,

Example of compound sentences l l l l Studying in English can be difficult and some students suffer from culture shock. Studying in English can be difficult. In addition, some students suffer from culture shock. Some students have problems with getting used to their new life, but others really like it. Some students find it difficult to adapt to their new life. In contrast, others adapt very easily. Some students really want to practice their English , so they join social clubs. Some students really want to improve their spoken English. Therefore, they join social clubs. Students have to learn how to use sources in their writing or they will fail their course. Students have to learn how to use sources in their writing. Otherwise, they will fail their course.

Studying in English can be difficult and some students suffer from culture shock. Studying in English can be difficult. In addition, some students suffer from culture shock. Studying in English can be difficult ; in addition, some students suffer from culture shock. Some students have problems with getting used to their new life but, others adapt very easily. Some students find it difficult to adapt to their new life. However, others adapt very easily. Some students find it difficult to adapt to their new life ; however, others adapt very easily. , Some students really want to practice their English , so they join social clubs. Some students really want to improve their spoken English. Therefore, they join social clubs. Some students really want to improve their spoken English ; therefore, they join social clubs. Students have to learn how to use sources in their writing or they will fail their course. Students have to learn how to use sources in their writing. Otherwise, they will fail their course. Students have to learn how to use sources in their writing ; otherwise, they will fail their course.

Compound sentences practice Combine the following sentences using and/so/but/or: l Burning fossil fuels causes serious damage to our planet. We need to develop other sources of energy. l Solar heating systems are economical to operate. The cost of installation is very high. l We use cars every day. We burn fossil fuels to heat our houses. l All the nations of the world must take action. Our children and grandchildren will suffer the consequence.

Compound sentences practice l Now combine the same sentences using a therefore, otherwise, in addition and however.

Use what you have learned about compound sentences to improve the following mini-essay: 1. A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous and difficult tasks. 2. First of all, robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming bored. 3. They are used in automobile factories to weld and paint. 4. Robots can also function in hostile environments. 5. They are useful for exploring the ocean bottoms as well as deep outer space.

Possible improvement 1. A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous and difficult tasks. 2. First of all, robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming bored; therefore, they are used in automobile factories to weld and paint. 4. Robots can also function in hostile environments; as a result, they are useful for exploring the ocean bottoms as well as deep outer space.

Part 2 l 6. Finally, robots can perform tasks requiring pinpoint l accuracy. 7. In the operating room, robotic equipment can assist the surgeon. 8. For instance, a robot can kill a brain a tumour. 9. It can operate on a foetus with great precision. 6. Finally, robots can perform tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy. 7. In the operating room, robotic equipment can assist the surgeon. 8. For instance, a robot can kill a brain a tumour; furthermore, it can operate on a foetus with great precision.

Part 3 l 10. The field of artificial intelligence is giving robots a limited ability to think and to make decisions. 11. Robots cannot think conceptually. 12. Robots cannot function independently. 13. Humans have to program them. 14. They are useless. 15. Therefore, humans should not worry that robots will take over the world, at least not yet.

Possible improvement l 10. However, the field of artificial intelligence is giving robots a limited ability to think and to make decisions. 11. Robots cannot think conceptually; moreover, they cannot function independently. 13. Humans have to program them; otherwise, they are useless. 15. Therefore, humans should not worry that robots will take over the world, at least not yet.

Complex sentences are sentences that are made of two types of clauses: 1) One or more dependent clauses 2) Independent clause l A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, before or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. l

Subordinators Showing Opposition or Unexpected Results although / even though / though Although I felt he was wrong, I decided to trust him. Sharon started looking for a new job even though she was currently employed. Though I couldn't understand a word, we had a great time! l

Subordinators Showing Cause and Effect because / since / as Since you need some help, I'll come over this afternoon. Henry felt he needed to take some time off because he had been working so hard. The parents paid for extra lessons as the children were very gifted. l

Subordinators Expressing Time when / as soon as / before / after / by By the time you get this letter, I will have left for New York. I used to play a lot of tennis when I was a teenager. We had a wonderful dinner after she had arrived. l

Subordinators Expressing Conditions if / unless / in the case that If I were you, I would take my time with that project. They won't come next week unless you ask them to do so. In the case that he isn't available, we'll look for another consultant. l

Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc. ) to connect the sentences into one complex sentence. l l l l Henry needs to learn English. I will teach him. It was raining outside. We went for a walk. Jenny needs to ask me. I will buy it for her. Yvonne played golf extremely well. She was very young. Franklin wants to get a new job. He is preparing for job interviews. I'm writing a letter, and I'm leaving. You will find it tomorrow. Marvin thinks he will buy the house. He just wants to know what his wife thinks. Cindy and David had breakfast. They left for work.

Use subordinating conjunctions (though, if, when, because, etc. ) to connect the sentences into one complex sentence. l l l I really enjoyed the concert. The music was too loud. Alexander has been working sixty hours a week. There is an important presentation next week. I usually work out at the gym early in the morning. I leave for work at eight a. m. The car was extremely expensive. Bob didn't have much money. He bought the car. Dean sometimes goes to the cinema. He enjoys going with his friend Doug visits once a month. I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet. It allows me to watch what I want when I want.