Grammar

Essential grammar
Time Clauses

By Peiling Hsia
Contents:
A quick review of relative clauses
Time clauses
A quick review of relative clause



由關係代名詞所引導的子句 基本核心就是在處理
如何避免名詞重覆

There are now three options for direct flights
between Vancouver and Hong Kong, and the
three options mean finding bargain airfares is
much easier.

There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.
排列的次序問題

如果說含有關係子句的主要子句是個簡單不複雜的句子，如
“He tore up my photo, which upset me.” 是很容易安排次序。
如果主詞出現了4個直接、間接的形容詞來修飾，就會產生排序問題。

4 message units：



There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.
Message unit 位置分配原則是：

1. 主要資訊 - 一定是句子核心 (core)

2. 補語 受詞或主要相關資訊 優先於修飾語

3. 修飾語間，有其約定俗成的優先次序 :
- 地點, 時間
- 數量, 大小, 顏色其它修飾等

4. 會讓人產生ambiguity部份優先
4 message units：
(1) there are now three options
(2) for direct flights
(3) between Vancouver and Hong Kong
(4) which means finding bargain airfares is much easier




1423 : There are now three options, which means finding bargain airfares
is much easier, for direct flights between Vancouver and Hong Kong.

1243: There are now three options for direct flights, which means finding
bargain airfares is much easier between Vancouver and Hong Kong.

1324 : There are now three options between Vancouver and Hong Kong
for direct flights, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.

1234: There are now three options for direct flights between Vancouver
and Hong Kong, which means finding bargain airfares is much easier.
Time Clauses
http://esl.about.com/library/grammar/blgr_adverbclauses_time.htm
Using adverb clauses with time expressions
These type of clauses are often called "time clauses" in English grammar books and follow specific patterns.

When an adverb clause begins the sentence use a comma to separate the two clauses.

When the adverb clause finishes the sentence there is no need for a comma.


Time clauses and phrases help show the continuity
of development in a process.

The most common time words used to introduce
time clauses are: before, after, when, while, as,
and until.

Examples:
Autumn is the season. The leaves of many trees change color during the season.


2. Thanksgiving is a holiday. Families like to gather together on the holiday.
Time clauses
1. Simultaneous action
_______ the butter is melting,
break three eggs into a bowl.
Time clauses
2. Sequential action

________the eggs have thickened, serve them with toast.
The eggs must have thicken ______ you serve them.
Do not serve the eggs ______ they have thickened.
Time clauses
3. participial phrases

Simultaneous actions
clause: While you are melting the butter, break three
eggs into a bowl.
phrase: _____________________, break …

Sequential actions
clause: After/ When you have beaten the eggs, pour
them into the pan.
phrase: _________________________, pour …
when - 時間點 瞬間動作 / 時段
同時性 / 連續性 / 非連續性
`When` means `at that moment, at that time, etc.`.
It is important to remember that `when` takes either the simple past OR the present - the dependent clause changes tense in relation to the `when` clause.
when
1. At what time – at the time at which (adv) (conj)
When`s the baby due?
We`ll go when you`re ready.
She was only twenty when she had her first baby.
He was quite shocked when I told him.
I was just getting into the bath when the telephone rang.
When I got home, he was having supper.

2. Considering that - considering the fact that: (conj)
How can you say you don`t like something when you`ve never even tried it!
You can`t complain of being lonely when you don`t make any effort to meet people.

3. Although – despite the fact that (conj)
He says he hasn`t got any money when in fact he`s got thousands of dollars in his account.
I don`t understand how he can say that everything`s fine when it`s so obvious that it`s not.


while / as - 時段 / 同時性 / 連續性動詞
`While` and `as` mean `during that time`.
`While` and `as` are both usually used with the past continuous because the meaning of `during that time` which indicates an action in progress.
while
1. a while a length of time (n)
I only stayed for a short while.
"When did that happen?" "Oh, it was a while ago (= a long time ago).
I haven`t seen him for a while (= for a long time).

2. during the time that, or at the same time as (conj)
I read it while you were drying your hair.
While I was in Italy I went to see Alessandro.
I thought I heard him come in while we were having dinner.
"I`m going to the post office." "While you`re there can you get me some stamps?“

3. despite the fact that; although (conj)
While I accept that he`s not perfect in many respects, I do actually like the man.
While I fully understand your point of view, I do also have some sympathy with Michael.

4. compared with the fact that; but  (conj)
Tom is very extrovert and confident while Katy`s shy and quiet.
I do every single bit of housework while he just does the dishes.
as
1. Comparison - used in comparisons to refer to the degree of something (adv)
She`ll soon be as tall as her mother.
I can`t run as fast as you.
It`s not as good as it used to be.
2. Purpose – used to describe the purpose or quality of someone or something (prep)
She works as a waitress.
It could be used as evidence against him.
The news came as quite a shock to us.
3. Because (conj)
As it was getting late, I decided to book into a hotel.
You can go first as you`re the oldest.
4. While (conj) - during the time that
I saw him as I was coming into the building.
He gets more attractive as he gets older. As he grew older he became more confident.
5. Like (conj) - in the same way
He got divorced, (just) as his parents had done years before.
This year, as in previous years, tickets sold very quickly.
As with his earlier movies, the special effects in his latest film are brilliant.
As I was just saying, I think the proposal needs further consideration.

1. 在…時刻 (單一時間點) – when 用終止性或連續性動詞
When I got home, he was having supper.
When I was young, I liked dancing.

2. 有動作先後關係時 when 不能與 while 互換
When he has finished his work, he takes a short rest. (after)
When I got to the cinema, the film had already begun. (before)

3. when 句子裡動詞為終止性時 不能與 while 互換
When he came yesterday, we were playing basketball.

4.句子裡表動作的是連續性動詞 when while 可互換
While / when we were still laughing, the teacher came in.

5. While 常用來表示兩各同時進行的長動作

6. As 多用來談兩各平行動作或兩種狀態變化 時間性比較緊湊

Special notes
practice
1. _____________the doorbell rang, Brian was taking a shower.

2. __________ he was watching the news on TV, Jonathan was eating his dinner.

3. Tom was backing into a parking space ____________ he heard a crunch.

4. ______ I was young, I liked dancing.

5. ______ I slept, a thief broke in.

6. ______ I came into the room, I found him lying there asleep.

7. ______ I was walking down the street, an American asked me for directions to the nearest station.

8. ______________we were still laughing, the teacher came in.


since
`Since` means `from that time‘.
We use the present perfect (continuous) with `since`.
`Since` can also be used with a specific point in time.
1. since (adverb)




2. Time - from a particular time in the past until a later time, or until now (prep.)


3. Time – from a particular time in the past until a later time, or until now (conj.)



4. because; as (conj.)
I haven’t heard from him since last year.
England have not won the World Cup in football since 1966.
It’s been ten years since they married.
She has been living a hard life since her husband died.
I have been very busy since I cam back from holiday.
She left school three years ago and has worked as a nurse ever since.
He went to work in New York a year ago, and we haven’t seen her since.
He must have taken the book since it isn’t here.
Since it is so hot, let’s go swimming.
Since we’ve got a few minutes to wait for the train, let’s have a cut of coffee.
until / till
`Until` and `till` express `up to that time`.
We use either the simple present or simple past with `until` and `till`.
`Till` is usually only used in spoken English.
Examples:
We waited until he finished his homework.
I`ll wait till you finish.
1. time – up to the time that… (prep. / conj.)



2. time – “not until” – not before a particular time or event





3. distance – as far as (prep. / conj.)

You should stay on the train until Manchester and then change.
He worked in Hong Kong until his father found a job in China.
I was up until three o’clock trying to get it finished.
Will this fish keep until tomorrow?
We didn’t eat till past midnight.
Once he starts a decorating job he won’t stop until it’s finished.
She didn’t go to bed until her daughter came back.
before
‘before` means `before that moment`.
`before` takes either the simple past OR the present.
after
`After` means `after that moment`.
`after` takes the present for future events and the past OR past perfect for past events.
by the time 到…的時候
`By the time` expresses the idea that one event has been completed before another.
It is important to notice the use of the past perfect for past events and future perfect for future events in the main clause. This is because of the idea of something happening up to another point in time.
Examples:
By the time he finished, I had cooked dinner.
We will have finished our homework by the time they arrive.
Common sentence connectors of time
Melt the butter in the pan; ___________, beat the eggs. (Simultaneous action)



Beat the eggs well; ___________, pour them into the pan.
during this period
at the same time
meanwhile
at the moment
at the moment in time (now)
afterward (afterwards)
after that
then
following that
at that point
(Sequential actions)
Examples:
This is the house where John lives.
= This is the house in which John lives.
= This is the house which John lives in.
= This is the house John lives in.

關係副詞where：因其詞性為副詞，不能當作關係子句中的主詞或受詞
(=in/on/at/to + which)，所以where帶領的關係子句中一定另有主詞

Examples
(O) John bought the house, which is beautiful.
(X) John bought the house, where is beautiful.

This is the room. I study in the room.
= This is the room which I study in.
= This is the room in which I study.
= This is the room where I study. (in which = where)
關係副詞 where (表地方) = in which
Special notes
1. Do not use prepositions before either where or when:

(X) They live in a building in where there are many apartments.
(X) I`ll always remember the day on when we met.
(X) Autumn is the season during when the leaves of many trees change
color.    

2. In very formal writing, you may use prepositions before which--but not before that:

(X) They live in a building in that there are many apartments.
(O) They live in a building in which there are many apartments.
(X) I`ll always remember the day on that we met.
(O) I`ll always remember the day on which we met.

(X) Autumn is the season during that the leaves of many trees change color.
(O) Autumn is the season during which the leaves of many trees change
color.
Practice:

1. ____ University of Columbia is the place which our study was
conducted in.

2. ____ Tomorrow is the day on when he has his job interview. .

3. ____ 1990 is the year in which they were married.


4. ____ This is the apartment which we have lived in for 7 years. .


5. ____ The bus had left while we arrived at the bus stop.
複合關係代名詞
whoever, whomever, whichever, whosever, whatever
都有“any”的意思

I don’t need this book any more. Please give it to whoever needs it. = please give it to any who needs it.

You can try to say hello to whomever you meet.
Here are two cell phones. You can take whichever you like.
All of these are free. Just take whatever you want.

Web links:

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ (普渡大學寫作中心)
http://www.chineseowl.idv.tw/html/c_new.htm
(The Chinese online writing lab – 柯泰德 Ted Knoy)
http://blog.udn.com/trjason
(廖柏森 英語與翻譯教學 )