Representing when, where, how and why
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Students' problems | page 12 of 12 |
Prepositional phrase or conjunction?
Students sometimes confuse subordinate clauses 
expressing reason (typically containing because)
and prepositional phrases used to express reason (often containing because
of). Sometimes they treat a preposition as if it were a conjunction introducing a
finite clause:
The use of Chinese as a teaching medium may be more suitable for students due to they can understand more in Chinese. (TeleNex Students)
As a result of English is the international language
, Hong Kong people must be proficient in English. (TeleNex Students)
There are a number of ways in which such sentences can be improved. The simplest way is to use a subordinate clause with because:
The use of Chinese as a teaching medium may be more suitable for students because they can understand more in Chinese.
Because English is the international language, Hong Kong people must be proficient in English.
If the preposition is retained, it most often needs to be followed by a noun group
or a nominal -ing
clause:
The use of Chinese as a teaching medium may be more suitable for students due to the fact that they can understand more in Chinese.
As a result of English being the international language, Hong Kong people must be proficient in English.
Sometimes students write sentences like this:
Due to that happened, mother cannot do the housework and she cannot really do anything except watch television. (TeleNex Students)
In such cases, a nominal wh-clause, ie a clause that performs the function of a noun, is needed:
Due to what happened, mother cannot do the housework and she cannot really do anything except watch television.
For further information about using prepositional phrases to express reason, see
Representing when, where, how and why: Representing why (p 5).
For further information about using subordinate clauses to express reason, see Linking clauses by subordination: Expressing reason.
Introduction
Prepositional phrase or conjunction?
