Addition, exception and restriction - The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook

The Communicative Grammar of English Workbook (2013)

UNIT TWELVE. Addition, exception and restriction

12.1. Addition

Sections 234–235

Addition can be expressed by

prepositions: in addition to, as well as, besides

words typically used in coordinate constructions: and, not only … but (also)

adverbials: in addition (front-position), also (mid-position), as well and too (end-position)

the adverbs so and neither/nor, which have a positive and a negative meaning respectively. All three adverbs cause subject-operator inversion.

Task one ***

Rewrite the following (pairs of) sentences, replacing the underlined part by the word or phrase in brackets. Pay attention to both structure and word order.

Example:

This food is not only delicious but also safe. (besides)

Besides being delicious this food is (also) safe.

1.In addition to being far too long, the play was badly acted. (also)

2.At the party, Bianca not only sang but also danced. (too)

3.Besides offering a BA in political science the department also serves the community in various ways. (in addition)

4.Jane spoke English and Russian, and fluent Arabic as well. (besides)

5.Slaves not only built the South, but also created the wealth of the North. (in addition to)

6.Ms Moore was a frequent guest on NBC’s Weekend Today. In addition, she has done more than 200 television interviews. (as well as)

7.Arkansas has hundreds of hotels and motels, and more than 170 bed and breakfast inns, too. (in addition to)

8.Getting a good guide in that area is an absolute necessity. It is also very affordable. (as well as)

9.Besides the Amazon rain forest, another Brazilian jewel faces peril. (too)

10.We have a tradition of sparkling wine and have just begun brewing beer as well. (not only … but also).

11.Prisoners of war received the same rations and supplies. In addition, they received comparable medical care. (as well)

12.Healthy aging depends on social as well as physical activity. (not only … but also)

Task two **

Complete the following dialogue, using so or neither/nor in combination with the subject mentioned in brackets.

Examples:

A1: Uncle Joe is a social worker.

B1: (Aunt Betty) __________________.

So is Aunt Betty.

A2: Uncle Joe is not a social worker.

B2: (Aunt Betty) __________________.

Neither/Nor is Aunt Betty.

Ron:

My train was delayed again this morning.

Tess:

(mine) ________________________.

Ron:

I didn’t get to work on time.

Tess:

(I) ________________________.

Ron:

I’ve decided to look for a job closer to home.

Tess:

(lots of other people) ________________________.

Ron:

You may not believe it, Tess, but I can’t drive a car.

Tess:

(I) ________________________. Actually, I would have preferred to live in an earlier age, when there were no cars at all.

Ron:

(I) _______________________.

Tess:

People like my grandparents managed quite well without a car.

Ron:

(most of their generation) ________________________. The trouble these days is so many people behind the wheel don’t behave like humans.

Tess:

(some people sitting behind desks) ________________________.

Ron:

Still, motorists shouldn’t be blamed for all the problems on our roads.

Tess:

(lorry drivers) ________________________. They are all too often made scapegoats.

Ron:

(cyclists and pedestrians … and even animals crossing roads.) ___________________________.

Tess:

Well, I think we should all try to be more understanding towards each other.

Ron:

(I) ________________________.

12.2. Exception

Section 236

Exception is the opposite of addition and can be expressed by

prepositions: except (for), apart from, bar, but

the conjunction except (that)

adverbs of exception: otherwise, else; even (= negative adverb of exception)

Task **

Complete the following sentences, using each of the connecting words or phrases below at least once:

apart from

bar

but

else

even

except

except for

except that

otherwise

1.I have a bit of a headache, but ____________________ I’m fine.

2.Our turnover is expected to increase considerably this year ____________________ any unforeseen events.

3.The weather was mild last winter ____________________ one cold spell in January.

4.Mumbai proves to be India’s capital in everything ____________________ name.

5.____________________ English, what language will be most important in the global market place?

6.There were no further details ____________________ the 15-year-old was released on bail.

7.We spent the next few days playing games and partying and not much ________________.

8.Do not call the fire department ____________________ in case of an emergency.

9.I didn’t keep any of my books, not ____________________ my dictionaries.

10.____________________ diaries or personal journals, most writing is intended for one or more readers.

11.Some of the paint has gone but ____________________ the woodwork is in good condition.

12.___________________ vets, who ___________________ can treat an animal?

12.3. Restriction

Sections 237–238

Restriction can be expressed by words like only, just, merely and simply, which combine negative meaning with the idea of exception. The word only can often be paraphrased as nothing but, no one except, no more than, etc.

Adverbs of addition, exception and restriction often focus their meaning on a particular part of the sentence. A sentence can be ambiguous, depending on the element that is focused, but contrastive intonation can help to clarify the meaning.

Task ***

Complete the following sentences in two different ways to bring out the ambiguity of the introductory clause. Underline the parts which are ‘focused’ in the two versions of each sentence.

Example:

The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes,……….

(1) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, she didn’t want to steal them.

(2) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, she didn’t want to touch the jewels.

or:

(2) The tourist merely wanted to touch the statuettes, not the jewels.

1.The reporters only interviewed the Prime Minister,……….

2.Sarah isn’t just a keen tennis player,……….

3.The politician merely suggested changing priorities,……….

4.The police didn’t even try to deal with the worst types of crime,……….

5.We also had to underline the adjectives,……….

6.Thelma isn’t merely against modern music,………..

7.The young man not only envied his cousin,……….

8.Chris couldn’t even understand simple questions,……….

9.We didn’t just go to Arizona to meet Native Americans,……….

10.Tom was also fined for not wearing his safety belt,……….