Word order

Adverbial clauses of result

Adverbial clauses of concession

Adverbial clauses of condition

Adverbial clauses of comparison

Adverbial clauses of manner

Adverbial clauses of manner characterize in a general way the action expressed in the principal clause. They can be introduced by the conjunctions as, in the way (that), as if, as though:

Type this again as I showed you a moment ago.

She acted as if she were mad.

Adverbial clauses of comparison denote an action with which the action of the principal clause is compared. They are introduced by the conjunctions than, as, as…as, not so…as, as if, as though:

We were going up the road as fast as we could.

Adverbial clauses of condition state the condition which is necessary for the realization of the action expressed in the principal clause. They are can be introduced by the conjunctions if, as long as, assuming (that), even if, if only, on the condition that, so long as, provided/providing (that), unless:

He’ll definitely win, even if he falls ill.

Suppose/supposing (that) we miss the train, what shall we do?

Unless the management improve their offer, there’ll be a strike.

Adverbial clauses of concession denote the presence of some obstacle which nevertheless does not hither the action expressed in the principal clause. They can be introduced by the conjunctions although, considering (that), though, even though, even if, whereas, no matter how much, while, however much/good, badly:

From this minute he begins to be a different person, even if he doesn’t realize it.

However far it is, I intend to drive there tonight.

Adverbial clauses of result denote the result of the action expressed in the principal clause. They can be introduced by the conjunctions that after so + adj, that after so + adv., that after such (a) + noun (or adj. + noun):

His reactions are so quick (that) no one can match him.

He reacts so quickly (that) no one can match him.

They are such wonderful players (that) no one can beat them.

In English we distinguish between direct and indirect (inverted) word order:

1) direct ― Subject ― Predicate ― Object (declarative sentences);

2) indirect (inversion of some parts for greater emphasis or with a special grammatical or communicative value).

Inversion can be of two types:

― full (when the predicate precedes the subject);

― partial (when only part of the predicate precedes the subject).

Inverted word order fulfils three following functions:

1. Grammatical

a) in questions:

Is he at home?

b) in exclamatory sentences which are negative in form but positive in meaning:

Doesn't she sing beautifully!

c) in conditional clauses introduced asyndetically:

Had he gone to her aid he would only have got himself caught.

d) in adverbial clauses of concession(if the predicative is a noun the article is omitted):

Child though he is, he is completely aware of the situation.

Tired though he was, he continued walking.

e) in the author's words in direct speech:

"Be quick!", said Pat.

But: “Be quick!”, he said (no inversion when the subject is a pronoun).

f) in stage directions:

Enter Napoleon.

Exit Lady Hummond.

2. Communicative (in order to provide the final position for the rheme, the most important communicative part — this is the so-called end-focus)

a) In sentences with the introductory there, here:

There were not too many people at the zoo.

b) In sentences beginning with adverbial modifiers, often protracted:

At a square table, on a stiff armchair of black wood sat Mr. Johnson.

c) In sentences beginning with so or neithe r (showing that the remark applies equally to someone or something else):

I like this melodical sound very much. — So do I.

But! We do not use inversion when so is used for emphatic confirmation.

You have stained your blouse with cherry. ― Oh, so I have.

3. Emphatic (to make any part of the sentence prominent by putting it in an unusual position)

In sentences beginning with:

a) negative words never, not,not only, not once, on no condition, on no account, no sooner, under no circumstances:

Never has she spoken with so much confidence.

b) semi-negative time adverbials: seldom, scarcely, hardly, rarely:

Hardly had we entered the house when the storm began.

c) words of restrictive meaning: well, many, little:

Little do they know about her.

Well do I remember her.

d) after only +time expression:

Only then did they realize their mistake.

Only when she came home did she realize that she had lost her purse.

But: Only Mary knows the answer (no inversion here).

e) words like so and such followed by that:

So dangerous did the weather become, that all the flights were cancelled.

Note: The inversion is partial here!

f) in sentences beginning with a predicative, adverbial modifier of manner or a postposition.

Tall and graceful was Jim.

Up flew the plane.

But: Up it flew.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27