introductory phrases Interrupting phrases Sentence Variety

1. Verb Tenses and
Conjunctions part 4
MCENROE NG

2. Review
James washed his hair, and he applied cream on his face.
-2 independent clauses (subject + verb) with a conjunction
The game is easy, but it’s difficult to win.
Charon loves lion; therefore, she thinks of him daily.
-Transition: therefore; independent clauses
The cats chases mice, balls, and rabbits
- 3 or more in a series.

3. introductory phrases
An introductory phrase is a group of words that starts your sentence, but does not belong to the
main clause of the sentence.
You can usually find an introductory phrase because it comes before the subject of the
sentence.

4. introductory phrases
Due to the bad weather, our game was cancelled.
-Due to the bad weather is an introductory phrase.
-We can take this off and we still have the sentence, our game was cancelled.
-That's your main clause, so the introductory phrase comes before the main clause, and you put a
comma to separate them.

5. introductory phrases
On Monday, my teacher announced a test.
-On Monday is the introductory phrase, so we put a comma after it.
After lunch, Steve watched the news.
-After lunch is the introductory phrase
Because of raining, we were late to the theatre.
-Because of raining, is the introductory phrase

6. Interrupting phrases
The boss, by the way, will be at the meeting.
- By the way is interrupting our main clause, so we need to separate it with commas.
This is the reason, therefore, that you should buy a car.
-Therefore is our interrupting phrase. We could take this word out and our sentence would be
fine without it. So therefore is interrupting the sentence and we have to put commas around it.
In the last one Joe wants to buy a car, too.
Too is our interrupting phrase. Now, it's actually at the end of the sentence, but it's extra
information, and we have to separate it with a comma.

7. Interrupting phrases
My roommate, who hates seafood, doesn't want me to cook shrimp.
-Who hates seafood, is extra information in this sentence, and it's interrupting the main
sentence.
-We could take this out, but I want to use it for extra information.
The dress, which I bought for tonight, is too tight for me to wear.
- This interrupting element is extra information, we are describing something about the dress,
but because it's extra information, and it's interrupting the rest of the sentence, we have to
separate it with commas.

8. Review
compound sentences that have conjunctions. You put a comma before conjunctions like and, but
and or.
You also use commas in a series when you have three or more nouns, verbs or adjectives.
We also saw that you use commas after an introductory phrase.
Introductory phrases start your sentence, and they come before the subject of the sentence.
We also put commas around any interrupting phrases and clauses.
When a phrase interrupts the rest of your sentence, you separate it by commas.

9. Compound sentences
Charon loves lion; therefore, she thinks about him all the time.
- therefore was being used as a connector for a compound sentence.
-You join two independent clauses with a transition word, you have to put a semicolon in front
and a comma after.
Charon loves lion. Therefore, she thinks about him all the time.
- Therefore is being used as an introductory phrase. Introductory phrases need a comma after
them.

10. Compound sentences
Charon loves lion, therefore, she thinks about him all the time.
-Therefore being used as an interrupting phrase.
-A transition word interrupts a sentence, you put commas around it. So if it's in the middle of the
sentence, you would have a comma before and after the transition word.

11. Transition with different uses
However
First
Furthermore
In addition
Likewise
Thus
Also

12. Parallel Structure
He loves to swim and eat.
Noodle and rice are both fattening
We are tired, thirsty and sleepy
____ and ___

13. Parallel Structure
____ and ___
____but____
Both____ and ___
Not only____ but also_____
With this connector, you need to have the same grammatical structure in both of the blanks.
1. I was looking for an apartment that was both close to my work and easy to afford.

14. Parallel Structure
I want to find a house that is not only affordable but also cosy.
He is afraid of heights but not dying.

15. Sentence Variety- English has four types
of sentence.
Simple (subject and verb)
-The grass grows in spring
Compound (joins 2 simple sentences together)
-Grass grows in spring, but it dies in winter.
Complex ( one independent and at least one dependent clause)
-Because it is too cold, grass doesn’t grow in winter
Compound- complex ( 2 independent clauses and also with the dependent clause)
- Because grass needs warm weather, it doesn’t grow in winter, but it grows in the summer.

16. Sentence Variety- to start a sentence
Adverb
Quietly, everyday, frequently
Preposition phrase
In the morning, Due to stress, After work
Other transitions
The last reason…., Another cause of… is….
For example, furthermore

17. Sentence Variety

18. Length of sentences
Try to mix different length of sentences in a paragraph

19. Ways to make the sentences interesting

20. review good writing
1. Uses different sentence types,
2. Starts sentences differently.
3. It uses different sentence lengths
4. Uses synonyms effectively.
If you remember those four things, you should be able to create a better writing style.

21. Reference
University of California, Irvine
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