511-0231.htm

Binding clauses together (subordination)

Binding clauses in text: Student problems

Student writers often write dependent clause without making them dependent on an independent clause, eg:

We did not like the indoor market. The food was not fresh, there were just a few kinds of things. So that, we only go to the supermarkets and department stores now.

When they worry about their marks of study. They will work hard together.

When a person is dating. They can learn how to get along with other people and they can also learn how to control their emotions. Lovers also can take care of each other.

The student writers are actually producing both a dependent clause and the dominant (independent) clause on which it is dependent, but they write both clauses as separate sentence structures rather than as one. These structures could easily be changed into a correct sentence or clause complex, eg:

	... he will go home by taxi. When he arrives home. He will watch TV until twelve o' clock.
	Revised: ... he will go home by taxi. When he arrives home, he will watch TV until twelve o' clock.
	I occasionally get up at about half past seven. When I wash my face with cool water. I feel very fresh.
	Revised: I occasionally get up at about half past seven. When* I wash my face with cool water, I feel very fresh.*
	I feel very happy on Sundays. Because I do not go to school. I go shopping and at home I watch TV.
	Revised: I feel very happy on Sundays because* I do not go to school. I go shopping and at home I watch TV.*

Using two conjunctions together to combine two clauses: although and but

Student writers often use the two conjunctions although and but together to combine two clauses:

Although Tommy was sick but he still went to school.

This pattern is used in Cantonese but is not possible in English. Either although or but may be used but not both together:

Although Tommy was sick, he still went to school.
binding relation

Tommy was sick, but he still went to school.
linking relation

We use the conjunction although to create a binding relation between a dominant (or independent) clause and a dependent clause, while we use the conjunction but to create a linking relation between two independent clauses. The two conjunctions are therefore in conflict, creating different types of combining relations.