Quite a few English learners begin their sentences with a simple subject (主语) + predicate pattern, but its overuse results in monotonous writing.When the subject of the adverbial clause (状语从句) is the same as the subject of the independent clause, the adverbial clause can be reduced to various types of phrases or even a single word.And by doing so, you can achieve sentence variety.

Method one: Begin a sentence with“To do…”pattern.

1) To win, you have to risk loss.

2) To get along well with people, you must learn to share their interests.

3) Not to miss the first train, I got up at five.

Method two: Begin a sentence with“a preposition (介词) +doing…”pattern.

1) In designing the survey, I avoided questions likely to embarrass respondents.

2) By reviewing mistakes of the past, people can gain a better understanding of the present.

3) After weighing the three fish he caught, Phil decided to throw the lightest one back.

4) Upon arriving in Sydney, I noticed that there would be a concert at the world-famous Opera House.

5) Besides helping you feel well-rested, sleep may also sharpen your memory.

6) Without mastering biology, a student may never be admitted to a medical school.

Method three: Begin a sentence with“Doing…”pattern.

1) Seeing Bill Clinton in the library, Hillary walked up to him and said, “If you're going to keep staring at me, I might as well introduce myself.”

2) Containing an abundance in protein and low fat, seafood is good for people's health.

3) Not knowing what to do, the boy just waited for his mother to return.

Method four: Begin a sentence with“Done…”pattern.

1) Fatigued, the project director slumped into a chair.

2) Persuaded by Dr.Jonas, Alice decides to cooperate with CIA in catching Jerry.

3) Surrounded on all sides by water, Manhattan is a busy seaport.

Method five: Begin a sentence with“Having + done…”pattern.

1) Having decided to take a summer job, Doris wrote to various firms about available jobs.

2) Having been found guilty, the man was given a severe sentence by the judges.

Method six: Begin a sentence with“When/While + doing…”pattern.

1) When answering the telephone, be sure to speak clearly and pleasantly.

2) While attending a university, a student will probably take four or five courses during each semester.

Method seven: Begin a sentence with“When/While + done…”pattern.

1) When questioned about the robbery, the policeman had no comment.

2) While interviewed, she keeps smiling to the camera.

Method eight: Begin a sentence with“If/Until/Though/Although/Once/Unless + done…”pattern.

1) If done properly, three breaths will lower your heart rate and blood pressure.

2) Although disappointed that I did not want to pursue graduate studies, my parents eventually approved of my decision.

3) Once printed, this dictionary will be very popular.

4) Unless compelled to stay in by bad weather, I go for a walk every day.

Method nine: Begin a sentence with“an adjective (形容词) …”pattern.

1) Unable to control his anger, Warren decides to leave home and visit his daughter for a change.

2) Rich or poor, we all have an equal right to medical advice and treatment.

3) Convenient, nutritious, cheap and available year round, carrots are not just for rabbits.

Method ten: Begin a sentence with“a conjunction (连接词) + an adjec-tive…”pattern.

1) If unable to find a good job, I prefer to stay at home.

2) Although hungry and thirsty, she believed that people would finally rescue her.

3) When happy, tell your parents；if sad, call your friends.

Note: sometimes, the reduced adverbial clause can also be found in the middle or at the end of a sentence.

1) Most young Americans have hold at least one part-time job or seasonal job before entering college.

2) Yesterday, walking across Washington Square, Mary saw her ex-boyfriend, Robert, for the first time in years.

3) Mr.Piper, fatigued by the tennis game, rested in the shade.

4) Seriously wounded, Jennifer is taken away to hospital.

5) The officers, impressed by my knowledge, began to treat me with respect.

6) At the age of 18, I dropped out of college, having flunked a required freshman chemistry.

7) The survey indicates that today's young people share views on almost all the practical problems when considering a marriage.

8) One day, while changing flights in Chicago, I called my wife to let her know that I would be home shortly.

9) The woman glanced impatiently at her watch while awaiting the bus.

10) Each word when used in a new context is a new word.

11) Practically most substances expand when heated and contract when cooled.

12) The U.S.A.penal code (刑法典的规则) is“you are innocent until proven guilty.”

13) The problem, though complicated, can be solved without much difficulty.

14) Yoko, although shy, managed to speak to everyone at the party.

15) Do not drive while tired.

In brief, by trying any of the above-mentioned methods, you can achieve sentence variety.

Practice 2-7-1

The following well-written sentences containing sentence variety were colle-cted from Chinese students' writings.Underline the modifier and enclose (用括号括起来) the subject in parentheses that the modifier modifies.For example:

To enrich my experience, I have three part-time jobs.

To enrich my experience, (I) have three part-time jobs.

No answers are provided.

1.To protect our environment, we need to make the public aware of the dangers caused by pollution.

2.By learning, we can acquire new skills and abilities.

3.Looking at the old picture, he lost in thought for a long time.

4.Affected by the environment, the pessimistic girl became optimistic.

5.Having reached my short-term goal, I begin to design my long-term goal.

6.When studying, do not watch TV；when watching TV, do not think about your studies.

7.While reading this book, I form a beautiful scene in my mind.

8.When asked to answer a personal question, she just smiled as a reply.

9.While questioned by the policeman, the chief refused to say a single word.

10.If properly used, money can bring us happiness.

11.Once gone, time will never come back.

12.I don't think I can remember anything about it unless given a hint.

13.Short of work experience, he failed to get the job.

14.Big or small, the obstacle must be overcome.

15.Although hot, the weather may change promptly.

Practice 2-7-2

Complete each of the following sentences with appropriate subject for the modifier.For example:

Dancing on the stage, _________________________________

Dancing on the stage, she looks like an angel.

Answers will vary.

1.To find a“win-win”solution, _________________________________

2.By sharing the information, _________________________________

3.Surfing the Internet, _________________________________

4.Deeply hurt, _________________________________

5.Having studied English for approximately ten years, _________________________________

6.When shopping, _________________________________

7.While educated in the university, _________________________________

8.Although laughed at, _________________________________

9.Extremely nervous, _________________________________

10.Rich or poor, _________________________________

11.Although smart, _________________________________

12.If uncertain about what to do next, _________________________________

Practice 2-7-3

Make a sentence that begins with each of the following patterns.Answers will vary.

1.To do, _________________________________

2.a preposition + doing, _________________________________

3.Doing, _________________________________

4.Done, _________________________________

5.Having + done, _________________________________

6.When/While + doing, _________________________________

7.When/While + done, _________________________________

8.If/Until/Though/Although/Once/Unless + done, _________________________________

9.an adjective, _________________________________

10.a conjunction + an adjective, _________________________________