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Writing notes - Overview of Sentence Patterns

1. SVO SVO.

2. This (因果關係) SVO. + This + v. + O

3. And (並列關係) SVO + and + SVO.

4. When / If (假設關係) When + SVO, + SVO.

If + SVO, + SVO.

5a. Conj. (連接詞) + SVO Because/Since/As + SVO, + SVO.

- 因果關係 SVO + because/since/as + SVO.

- 轉折關係
SVO, + so + SVO.

SVO. + Therefore,/Hence, + SVO.

Although/Though + SVO, + SVO.

SVO + although/though + SVO.

SVO + but + SVO.

SVO. + However,/Nevertheless, + SVO.

5b. Conj. (連接詞) + n. Because of /Due to + n., + SVO.

- 因果關係 SVO + because of / due to + n.

- 轉折關係
In spite of /despite + n., + SVO.

SVO + in spite of / despite + n.

5c. Conj. (連接詞) + v. In order to + v., + SVO.

- 表示目的 SVO + in order to + v.

6. Prepositional Clauses With + n., + SVO.

- 因果關係
Through + v.+ ing / n., + SVO.
- 表示目的
7. which/who/that S + which/who/that + VO + VO.
- 附加描述
SVO + which/who/that + VO.

8. Participles (ing/ed) V. + ing + O, + SVO.

- 先後關係
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- 因果關係 PP. + O, + SVO.

- 附加描述
S + v. + ing + O + VO.

S + pp. + O + VO.

9. Noun clause (強調重點) What + V. + …VO.

That + SVO + VO

The fact that + SVO + VO

Whether + SVO + VO

S + V. + that + SVO

S + V. + what/how + to + v.

S + V. + what/how/why + SVO.

10. Adjective Pattern (強調重點) It is + adj. + for + sbdy + to + v.

11. Cleft Sentences (分裂句) It is + n. + that/who/whom/which + VO

- 強調重點
12. Parallelism (排比句) SVO; + SVO; + SVO.
- 加強語氣
With + n., + SVO; + with + n., + SVO; with + n., + SVO.

13. Rhetorical Questions (反問句) Isn’t it absurd/preposterous that + SVO?

- 加強語氣
Instead of + v.+ing, why don’t + SVO?

14. Normalization (名詞化) Sbdy + hold the belief that + SVO

- 使句式多變
With the popularity of + n., + SVO

With the advent of + n., + SVO

With the implementation of + n., + SVO

15. Inversion (倒裝句) 時間副詞 + do/should + SVO.

- 加強語氣
Through + n. / v.+ ing + can + SVO.
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1. SVO 1. SV

Example: We should never give up.

2. SVO

Example: The insane man assaulted a security guard of the Cable TV headquarters.

3. S +V + O1 + O2

Example: The government should provide the impoverished with vocational training.

2. This 作用: 因果關係

1. SVO. + This + v. + O.

Example: We should communicate genuinely with our family members. This can enhance

our family relationship.

Example: The government should promote the use of public transport. This can alleviate

the problem of traffic congestion.

3. and 作用: 並列關係

1. S + V1 + and + V2 + O

Example: The firemen extinguished the fire and rescued the trapped residents.

2. SVO + and + SVO.

Example: Owing to low academic qualifications, some teenagers are frustrated and they

may become socially-withdrawn youths.

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4. When 作用: 表示時間、假設關係

If
1. When + SVO, + SVO

SVO + when + SVO

If + SVO, + SVO

SVO + if + SVO

Example: When people are confronted with financial difficulties, they may easily lose

their temper and quarrel with their loved ones.

Example: The principal suddenly entered the classroom when they were bullying the

victims.

Example: If China abolishes capital punishment, the crime rate will skyrocket.

Example: The competitiveness of Hong Kong will be jeopardized if the minimum wage is

drastically increased.

2. When + v.+ing + n., + SVO

SVO + when + v.+ing + n.

Example: When implementing waste charging, the government has to consider the cost

and benefits.

Example: The teenage boy lost his consciousness and collapsed when playing computer

games in a net café.

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5. 連接詞 作用 1: 因果關係

1. Because/As/Since + SVO, + SVO

SVO + because/as/since + SVO
SVO, + so + SVO
SVO. + Therefore,/Hence,/Thus, + SVO

Example: Because Hong Kong is an international financial hub, many banks establish their
headquarters here.

Example: Classes were suspended since the typhoon signal no.10 was hoisted.

Example: Many girls love to capture their beauty and merriment, so they are obsessed
with taking selfies.

Example: Most students doubt the quality of their school teachers. Hence, they enroll in
tutorial classes organized by star tutors.

2. Because of/Due to/Owing to/Thanks to + n., + SVO

SVO + because of/due to/owing to/thanks to + n.

Example: Due to his steely determination and the insatiable thirst for glory, Kobe Bryant
has outperformed most players in his generation.

Example: Many factories in China have relocated to inland provinces like Sichuan and
Shanxi owing to the ballooning labour cost in the coastal region.

作用 2: 轉折關係

1. Although/Though/Even though + SVO, + SVO

SVO + although/though/even though + SVO
SVO, but + SVO
SVO. + However,/Nevertheless,/Nonetheless, + SVO

Example: Although iPhones are expensive, many people purchase them to showcase their
social status.

Example: [Link] is regarded as one of the best footballers in history even though he
has never won the World Cup.

Example: He is destitute, but he is reluctant to apply for the Comprehensive Social Security
Assistance from the government.

Example: Van Gogh was an excellent artist. Nevertheless, he failed to gain international
recognition before his suicide.
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5. 連接詞 2. Despite/In spite of + n./v.+ing, + SVO

SVO + despite / in spite of + n./v.+ing

Example: Despite international condemnation and sanctions, Russia has refused to

halt its military expansion in Ukraine.

Example: The United States failed defeat China in the Korean War in spite of having
superior weapons.

作用 3: 表示目的

1. In order to + v., + SVO

SVO + in order to / so as to + v.

Example: In order to appease the Western superpowers, the Qing government paid
indemnities and ceded land to them.

Example: Li Ka-shing has donated billions of dollars so as to promote the development

of human resources in China.

2. With a view to / For the sake of + v.+ing, + SVO

SVO + with a view to / for the sake of + v.+ing

Example: For the sake of the next generation, websites and the mass media should
stop disseminating pornographic information.

Example: The Chinese Communist Party has refused the democrats’ demand for civil
nomination and genuine universal suffrage in Hong Kong with a view to safeguarding
its grip on power and the national security of China.

6. Prepositional 作用 1: 表示因果關係
Clauses
1. With + n., + SVO

Example: With the the Octopus system, we can complete our payment more
conveniently.

Example: With the spread of the Ebola virus, international collaboration is required.

作用 2: 表示目的

1. Through/By + n. / v.+ing, + SVO

SVO + through/by + n. / v.+ing

Example: Through the cloud platform, we can upload document online easily.
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Example: Many people earn substantial amount of money by speculating in the stock
market and the property market.

7. which 作用: 附加描述

who
a. Defining Relative Clause(必要的附加描述，不用逗號)
that
1. S + which + v. + …+ VO
S + who + v. + …+ VO
S + that + v. +…+ VO

Example: The dog which was abandoned by my neighbor starved to death.

Example: The singer who was the most popular in Hong Kong in the 1990s was Leon
Lai.

Example: The local university that admits the largest number of top performers in
the HKDSE is the University of Hong Kong.

2. SVO + which + v. + …
SVO + who + v. + …
SVO + that + v. + …

Example: Monkeys are the media which spread the Ebola virus in Western Africa.

Example: Mao Zedong was the man who established the People’s Republic of China.

Example: The widening wealth chasm is the problem that the government needs to
tackle first.

b. Non-defining Relative Clause(額外的附加描述，需要逗號)

1. S + , which + v. + …+ VO
S + , who + v. + …+ VO
S + , that + v. +…+ VO

Example: The United States, which is the largest economy in the world, is also a
sports superpower, winning hundreds of gold medals in the Olympic Games.

Example: Michael Jordan, who graduated from North Carolina University, is the
greatest basketball player in history.

3. SVO + , which + v. + …
SVO + , who + v. + …
SVO + , that + v. + …

Example: Usain Bolt was born in Jamaica, which is a Caribbean country.

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Example: Cheung Kong Limited was founded by Li Ka-shing, who is a multibillionaire

and a philanthropist.

8. v. + ing (主動) 作用 1: 句子主語

p.p. (被動)
1. V. + ing + v. + n.

Example: Enhancing the living environment of the impoverished should be the

priority of the government.

Example: Sustaining rapid economic development of China is the only way for the

Chinese Communist Party to maintain its legitimacy and political survival.

Example: Legalizing euthanasia can alleviate the physical and psychological pain of

chronically-ill patients.

作用 2: 表示同一時間發生、時間先後 (前後兩句主語必須相同)

1. V. + ing + n., + SVO

p.p. + n., + SVO

Example: Watching the dreary movie, the couple fell asleep.

Example: Having graduated from Cambridge University, Wang Yan-lung became a

barrister.

Example: Disappointed by the humiliating defeat of the Chinese soccer team, the

spectators damaged the vehicles outside the stadium.

Example: Eliminated from the singing contest, the participants burst into tears.
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8. v. + ing (主動) 作用 3: 表示因果關係 (前後兩句主語必須相同)

p.p. (被動)
1. V. + ing + n., + SVO
p.p. + n., + SVO

Example: Pretending to be a beetle, Shinchan made his classmates laugh.

Example: Watching the Korean drama, the audience can learn about the significance
of benevolence and generosity.

Example: Bullied by his schoolmates, Bobby suffered from depression and plunged
to his death.

Example: Rescued by the fireman last night, the injured woman was sent to the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

2. SVO +, v. + ing + n.

Example: The little boy was waiting at the entrance of the school waiting for his
mother.

Example: The development of eco-tourism in Hong Kong can attract more travellers,
facilitating economic development.

Example: Through genuine communication, family members can understand more

about each other, preventing unnecessary conflicts and enhancing their
relationship.

作用 4: 附加描述

1. S + v. + ing + …+ VO
S + p.p. + …+ VO

Example: The only shooting guard scoring more than 80 points in a single game is
Kobe Bryant.

Example: The woman wearing heavy make-up always purchases LV handbags and
other luxury products.

Example: The shopping mall visited most frequently by mainland tourists is New
Town Plaza in Shatin.

Example: The electronic products produced in Japan are the most reliable and
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popular in the world.

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9. Noun 作用 1: 句子主語
Clauses 1. (What + v. + …) + VO
Example: What really matters is not material comforts, but spiritual welfare.

Example: What disappoints the public most is the government’s disregard of the
environment.

Example: What is really inconceivable is the government’s lack of vision and long-term
economic planning.

2. (The fact ) that + SVO + VO

Example: That Hong Kong is overtaken by Shenzhen and Shanghai can be attributed to the
myopia of the government.

Example: The fact that the Japanese army conquered China and other Asian countries is
concealed in Japanese textbooks.

3. Whether + SVO + VO

Example: Whether students can enhance their academic results hinges on their effort.

作用 2: 句子賓語
1. S + V. + that + SVO
Example: Many political analysts have argued that the lack of social mobility and the
deterioration of inter-generational poverty are the major culprits of terrorism.
Example: Mr. Yu believes that diligence and perseverance are the recipes for success.
2. SV + what + to + v.
SV + what + SVO
SV + how + to + v.
SV + why + SVO
Example: A lot of university students are not sure what to do to enhance their language
skills and competitiveness.
Example: The Chinese government does not know what measures it can take to prevent
devastating economic crises.
Example: Many parents do not know how to nurture their children.

Example: Schools should investigate why some of their students have become rebellious.
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10. Adjective 作用: 加強語氣

patterns 1. It is + 個性形容詞 + of + sbdy + to + v.

Example: It is wise of you to study assiduously to prepare for the HKDSE.
Example: It is irrational of youngsters to engage in criminal activities.
2. It is + 其他形容詞 + for + sbdy + to + v.
Example: It is crucial for the United States to stem the tide of Islamic
fundamentalism and terrorism in the Middle East.
Example: It is essential for sixth-formers to practise English writing regularly.
Example: It is feasible for the government to liberalize the local television market.

11. Cleft 作用: 加強語氣

Sentences 1. It is + n. + that/who/whom/which + SVO

(分裂句) Example: It is feudalism and Confucianism which contributed to the stagnation of
China’s social and economic development.
Example: It is relentless pursuit of perfection and glory that has led Kobe Bryant to
his spectacular achievements.
Example: It is vocational training that can disentangle the underprivileged from the
mire of impoverishment.
Example: It is CY Leung who shoulders the responsibility for exacerbating the
relationship between the executive and the legislature.
12. Parallelism 作用: 加強語氣
排比句 1. SVO; + SVO; + SVO.

Example: Thanks to the indiscriminate use of credit cards, adolescents will become
the slaves to luxurious products; adolescents will be at risk of financial peril in the face
of snowballing debts; adolescents will lose their soul and personality when they
become insolvent.

2. With + n., + SVO; + with + n., + SVO; with + n., + SVO.

Example: With national education, our next generation will be brainwashed; with
national education, our next generation will lose their critical thinking; with national
education, our next generation will fail to identify right from wrong.
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13. Rhetorical 作用: 加強語氣

Questions 1. Isn’t it absurd/preposterous/ridiculous/ludicrous that + SVO?
(反問句)
Example: Isn’t it absurd that the government has become the enemy of the public?

Example: Isn’t it preposterous that many government officials have been corrupted
by power and fame and received bribes from property tycoons?

2. Instead of + v.+ing, why don’t + SVO?

Example: Instead of becoming bookworms, why don’t we participate in more extra-

curricular activities?

Example: Instead of playing smartphone games and browsing the Internet, why
don’t we spend more time preparing for the HKDSE?

14. Normalization 作用: 使句式多變

(名詞化) 1. Sbdy + hold the belief that + SVO (有…的信念)

Example: Many sixth-formers hold the belief that they can enhance their English
results by attending tutorial classes without working hard.

2. Sbdy + put emphasis on + n. (強調)

Sbdy + attach importance to + n.

Example: Nowadays, smartphone companies put emphasis on fancy designs rather

than the durability of their products.

Example: In a money-oriented society like Hong Kong, most people attach importance
to the pursuit of affluence.

3. The importance of + n. (…的重要性)

The significance of + n.

Example: Realizing the importance of political transformation, Kang Youwei and Liang
Qichao implemented the “Hundred Days’ Reform” in 1898, but to no avail.

Example: Gone are the days when enterprises ignored the significance of corporate
social responsibility.

4. pursuit of + n. (…的追求)

Example: Lin Dan’s relentless pursuit of glory is the reason why he has become the
greatest player in badminton history.
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14. Normalization 作用: 使句式多變

(名詞化) 5. With the implementation of + n. + SVO (隨著…的實行)

Example: With the implementation of the new senior secondary curriculum, girls
seem to have gained an upper hand over their male counterparts in terms of
university admission.
6. Under the influence of + n., + SVO (在…的影響下)
Example: Under the influence of Confucianism, Chinese parents stress the
importance of education and courtesy.

7. With the advent of + n., + SVO (隨著…的出現)

With the emergence of + + n., + SVO

Example: With the advent of computers, entertainment has been more diversified.

Example: With the emergence of social networking websites, we can make friends with
people from all over the world..

8. With the popularity of + n. + SVO (隨著…的盛行)

With the prevalence of + n. + SVO

Example: With the popularity of the Korean pop culture, the beautiful faces of Korean
celebrities are ubiquitous in our society.

Example: With the prevalence of online shopping, many youngsters are plunged into
financial trouble.

作用: 使句式多變

9. Thanks to the improvement in + n., + SVO (隨著…的改善)

Example: Thanks to the improvement in health care, we can enjoy higher life

expectancy.

10. The lack of + n. (…的缺乏)

The dearth of + n.

The deficiency of + n.

Example: The lack of high-quality teachers in Hong Kong can be attributed to the

money-oriented culture.

Example: Owing to the dearth of land, large-scale reclamation projects have been

carried out to create land for residential and commercial development.

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Example: The deficiency of funds resulted in the closure of DSC, a chain store selling

electronic appliances and furniture.

11. The addiction to + n. (對…的上癮)

The obsession with + n.

Example: The addiction to instant messaging applications will jeopardize our

academic performance and even our health.

Example: More and more Americans have died prematurely due to their obsession

with junk food and lack of exercise.

作用: 使句式多變

12. With the intensification of + n. + SVO (…導致…的加劇)

With intensifying + n., + SVO

Example: With the intensification of natural disasters, better precautionary

measures have to be taken to prevent massive casualties.

Example: With intensifying competition in Asia, every effort has to be made to

sharpen Hong Kong’s competitive edge.

13. n. + lead to a decline in + n. (…導致…的衰退)

Example: Skyrocketing inflation has led to a decline in our living standard.

14. The elimination of + n. (…的根除)

Example: Hopefully, international collaboration will lead to the elimination of the

Ebola Virus Disease.

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15. Inversion 作用 1: 表示並列關係

倒裝句
1. Not only …also (不但…而且)

Example: Not only does China manufacture goods, it also produces many prominent
athletes.

Example: Not only will drug abuse harm our health, it will also ruin our future.

作用 2: 表示否定

1. Seldom … (甚少)

Example: Seldom do Hong Kong students read books in their leisure time.

2. Rarely… (極少)

Example: Rarely does the CY Leung administration listen to public opinion.

3. Hardly…(幾乎不能)

Example: With the ossified education system, hardly can students develop their
creativity.

4. Never … (永不)

Example: Despite its promise in the constitution, never does Beijing allow the citizens
to have freedom of expression, freedom of press and freedom of religion.

5. At no time (永不會)

Example: At no time will the central government agree to the implementation of

universal suffrage in Hong Kong.

6. No longer (不再)

Example: With its burgeoning economic and military strength, no longer does China
make humiliating concessions to foreign powers.

7. Under no circumstances (沒有任何條件)

Example: Under no circumstances should we tolerate domestic violence in a society.

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15. Inversion 作用 3: 表示目的

倒裝句
1. Only through… (只有通過)

Example: Only through international cooperation can we stem the tide of cross-
border crimes, like prostitution, drug trafficking and terrorist activities.

作用 4: 表示條件

1. The + 比較級 + SV, the 比較級 + SV

Example: The harder we work, the better results we can get.

2. The sooner….the better (越快越好)

Example: The sooner we concentrate on our studies, the better.

3. Only when + SVO + can + sbdy + v. (只有到…時候，才會…)

Example: Only when the Japanese government encourages more married women to
rejoin the labour force can Japan raise its productivity.

4. However + formidable + S + is, + SVO (無論怎樣艱巨…也會)

Hard + though + S + V, + SVO (無論怎樣努力…也)

Example: However formidable the HKDSE is, every sixth-former should work
strenuously.

Example: Hard though the rescue workers tried, they could not save the coal miners.

5. Had it not been for + n., + SVO (如果沒有…，就會…)

Example: Had it not been for the assistance by the United States, China would have
been defeated by Japan in the Second World War.