Modern PNG students have no idea of the structure of English. Often we read advertisements in the media on political matters and in beautiful English. These were probably written by expatriates or a national person educated in Australia or in PNG by expatriates.
Many young students write in English simple sentences based on Tok Pisin. Writings have mindless repetition of words.
I walk to town. I want to buy a shirt. I walk on road. The road goes to town. The shop is on the road. I go to shop. I walk inside and look at shirts. I find a nice shirt. I tell shop keeper I want to buy shirt. He say I pay K12. I give money for shirt. I take my shirt to house.
There is no magic in writing well. We have to know the structures of sentences:
Principal Clause + principal clause
He opened the door and (he) went inside.
Principal clause + noun clause
He had the feeling that there was someone there.
She heard the news that her father had died.
Principal clause + two noun clauses
He knew what had happened and who was involved.
Adjectival Clause.
This is the house that Jack built.
He was the person who was at the house.
Adverbial phrase of place
He went up the hill.
Adverbial phrase of time.
He left the house in the afternoon.
Adverbial phrase of reason.
She stayed at the house due to illness.
He resigned because of ill health.
Adverbial phrase of manner.
She cleaned the room as shown
Adverbial clause of time.
He arrived when the work was finished.
Adverbial clause of place.
They sat where the light was strongest.
Adverbial clause of manner.
He did the job as he was shown.
Adverbial clause of comparison
They were as prepared as they could be.
Adverbial clause of result.
She was so sick that she went home.
Adverbial clause of reason.
He called the police because he was worried.
He came early as practice was needed.
Adverbial clause of condition.
You may go if you have finished.
Adverbial clause of concession.
Although they tried hard, the work was not completed.
Let us play with structures:
Adverbial clause of condition + principal clause + adverbial clause of manner.
If you come early, open the door as I showed you.
Principal clause + noun clause + adverbial clause of time + adverbial phrase of place.
He knew that the car was damaged when he parked at the shopping centre.
Adverbial clause of time + principal clause + adjectival clause + adverbial phrase of place.
As the aircraft landed, there was an explosion that could be heard for miles.
Principal clause + adjectival clause + adverbial phrase of time.
This is the house that was destroyed during the tribal fight.
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