నో సూనర్ హడ్ ఐ ఓపెన్డ్ ది విండో

. LALITHA BAI
Associate Professor in English, Hyderabad.

WORD CHOICE
In addition to idiomatic expressions that we have learnt in the last session, the English language also has many common sentence constructions. It is equally important to have knowledge in this area as every competitive examination contains questions based on this section. Let us learn a few common sentence constructions.

Not Only . . . But Also:
The expression not only . . . but also means "in addition to." Bear in mind that the words following the two separate phrases, not only and but also, must be the same parts of speech. If not only is followed by an adjective, then but also must be followed by an adjective as well. If the parts of speech are different, then the sentence construction is flawed. Also, if the expression itself appears in any altered form, such as not only . . . and, then the construction is incorrect.
A typical sentence construction using the expression not only . . . but also looks like the following:
Subject + verb + not only + (noun/ adjective/ adverb/ prepositional phrase) + but also + (noun/ adjective/ adverb/ prepositional phrase):
Harish is not only artistic but also scholarly.
    adjective     adjective

No Sooner:
If the expression no sooner appears at the beginning of a sentence, an auxiliary appears immediately after it and the word than introduces the second clause. The auxiliary is a form of the verb do, have or be used along with a main verb, like the have in have made. :
No sooner had the rain started than it stopped.

Already and Yet:
The word already indicates that a sentence has a positive meaning. The word yet is used to create a negative meaning. :     Smith has already finished work on his project.
Smith hasn't finished working on his project yet.

So and Too:
To describe how two subjects perform or receive the same action, use affirmative agreement, in which the conjunction and is followed by a simple statement that includes either the word so or the word too. The word order of the statement differs depending on whether we use so or too. :     Jim is a professor, and John is too.
    Jim is a professor, and so is John.
Both sentences mean that Jim and John are professors.

Either and Neither:
In order to indicate that the two subjects mentioned in the sentence have not done something, the words either and neither are used instead of the words so and too. : I didn't see Jones this morning, and Jack didn't either.
    I didn't see Jones this morning, and neither did Jack.
These two sentences mean that both the speaker and Jack did not see Jones this morning.

Because and Because of:
The word because and the phrase because of show cause and effect. The cause is shown immediately after the word because or the phrase because of. : Smitha quit her job because she was admitted to the university.
    Smitha quit her job because of her admission to the university.
Both sentences mean that Smitha was admitted to the university, and the result was that she quit her job. We can also reverse the word order of either sentence:
Because she was admitted to the university, Smitha quit her job.
Because of her admission to the university, Smitha quit her job.

The Reason . . . That:
The phrase the reason . . . that also indicates cause and effect. The phrase the reason is used as the subject of the sentence, as shown in the following example:
The reason she quit her job was that she was admitted to the university.
, Stop and Forget:
Certain words are followed by the infinitive or a verb + ing. The words remember, stop and forget can be followed by either, with a difference in meaning.: Jane remembered to call her doctor.
This sentence means that Jane remembered it was necessary to call her doctor, and she called him.
Example:Jane remembered calling her doctor.
This sentence means that Jane remembered that she had called her doctor in the past.

Let and Help:
The words let and help create a different meaning than the verbs have, get or make. Let means allow, help means assist.: The professor let the students leave early.
This means that the professor allowed the students to leave early.: The professor helped his daughter write the essay.
This means that the professor assisted his daughter in writing the essay.

Used To and Be Used To:
The phrase used to and be used to have different meanings. The basic difference between used to and be used to is that used to involves a past custom or habit and be used to involves a current custom or habit.: Vrinda used to swim every day.
The above sentence means that in the past, Vrinda swam every day.: Vrinda is used to swimming every day.
This means that Vrinda is currently accustomed to swimming every day.

Despite/ In Spite of:
The word despite and the word in spite of mean the same thing, but the former cannot be used with of and the latter must appear with all three words. : Despite her lack of training, she is very knowledgeable.
In spite of her lack of training, she is very knowledgeable.
, Even though and Though:
The words Although, Even though and Though mean the same as despite and in spite of, but they are used differently because they cannot be followed by a noun or noun phrase alone. Each must be followed by a clause.
Example:Although she lacks training, she is
    Clause
               very knowledgeable.


Practice test

The following sentences are incorrect, rewrite the sentences correctly.
1.I prefer either to read or going hiking.
2.The lecture was not only very long but also it was very dull.
3.The train proceeded neither quickly nor was it smooth.
4.They went swimming, although the coldness of the water.
5.I enjoy the course because of the professor is a good teacher.
6.Although my warning, they went ahead with their plan.
7.The price of oranges is high, because frost damage.
.We packed a lunch, lest we knew we would soon be hungry.
9.We must hurry, so that we will be late.
10.She is neither kind nor has patience.
:
1.I prefer either to read or to go hiking.
2.The lecture was not only very long but also very dull.
3.The train proceeded neither quickly nor smoothly.
4.They went swimming, despite the coldness of the water.
5.I enjoy the course because the professor is a good teacher.
6.Despite my warning, they went ahead with their plan.
7.The price of oranges is high, because of frost damage.
8.We packed a lunch, for we knew we would soon be hungry.
9.We must hurry, or else we will be late.
10.She is neither kind nor patient.

Paying attention to the expressions used in the following sentences, fill in the blanks with the words and, but also, however, nor, or, than, then, until, nevertheless, since and when, as appropriate.
1.I have both respect ____ admiration for him.
2.Hardly had I finished reading over the problem, ____ the answer leapt to my mind.
3.It will rain either today ____ tomorrow.
4.He could not decide whether to tell the truth ____ keep silent.
5.It was not only a beautiful day, ____ the first day of Spring.
6.If you follow the instructions, ____ you should have no difficulty.
7.He is neither proud ____ haughty.
8.We should either walk quickly ____ take the tram.
9.I had scarcely sat down ____ the telephone rang.
10.What with one thing ____ another, it was very late by the time we left the house.
11.No sooner had I opened my eyes, ____ I remembered where I was.
12.Scarcely had I heard the news, ____ my friend arrived.
13.I do not know whether he has seen the movie before ____ not.
14.I would rather wait here ____ risk missing the bus.
15.She could find the book neither at the library, ____ at the bookstore.
16.No sooner had I opened the window, ____ a butterfly flew into the room.
17.The crowd was both large ____ enthusiastic.
18.He kept reading ____ he fell asleep.
19.They have known her ____ she was a child.
20.They got off the train. ____ they began to search for a hotel.
21.You should either eat less, ____ exercise more.
22.He is not only talented, ____ charming.
23.They visited many stores; ____, they could not find what they were looking for.
24.I was worried; ____ , I was determined not to show it.
25.Continue along Queen Street. ____ turn left.
:
. and 2. when 3. or 4. or
. but also 6. then 7. nor 8. or 9. when
. and 11. than 12. when 13. or 14. than 15. nor 16. than 17. and 18. until 19. since
. then 21. or 22. but also 23. however 24. nevertheless 25. then