Skill 9 Use Sentence Connectors Correctly 2nd Pattern

It is important for you to be able to use the following sentence patterns correctly, because they often appear on the TOEFL.

I do not know what is on the box.

what is in the box = noun clause as object of verb

We are concerned about who will do the work.

Who will do the work= noun clause as object of preposition.

Whoever is coming to the party must bring a gift.

Whoever is coming to the party= noun clause as subject.

In  the first example there are two clauses: I do not know and what is in the box. These two clauses are joined by the connector what. It is important to understand that in this sentence the word what serves two functions. It is both the subject of the verb is and the connector that joins the two clauses.

In the second example there are two clauses. in the first clause we is the subject of are. In the second clause who is the subject of will do. Who also serves as the connector that joins two clauses. The noun clause who will do the work functions as the object of the prepositionabout.

In the last example there are also two clauses: whoever is the subject of the verb is coming, and the noun clause whoever is coming to the party is the subject of must bring. The wordwhoever serves two functions in this sentence: it is the subject of the verb is coming, and it is the connector that joins the two clauses.

The following words can be used as connectors in this sentence pattern:

what      which    who   whatever   whichever    whoever

Here is an example of how this pattern can be tested in the structure section of the TOEFL.

... was on television made me angry.

(A) it

(B) The story

(C) What

(D) When

In this example you should notice immediately that there are two verbs, was and made, and each of those verbs needs a subject. Answer (A) or (B) are incorrect because it and the storyare each subjects, but two subjects are needed. Answer (D) is incorrect because when is not a subject.

The best answer to this question is (C): what was on television made me angry. In this correct sentence, what is the subject of the verb was, and the noun clause what was on television is subject of the verb made. What is also the connector that joins these two clauses.

Skill 9 Use Sentence Connectors Correctly 2nd Pattern 2013-03-07T20:32:00-08:00 Rating: 4.5 Diposkan Oleh: Eko Wahyudi