Miscellaneous Collocation

Miscellaneous Collocation

– Use of 'so' and 'that':
When 'so' is used in a sentence as an intensifier or degree adverb, not that a 'that' clause should follow e.g. The boy is so clever that he won all the prizes for his category. Avoid the use of 'so' if you do not use a 'that' clause.

– Use 'such' and 'that':
Just like 'so', when 'such' is used as an intensifier, it should be followed by a 'that' clause. The difference is that, an article 'a'/'an' should follow e.g. He is such a boy that everyone would love to see. Note that when an adjective and an article follow 'so', you should not use a 'that' clause e.g. it is wrong to say: He is so clever a boy that I would love to see him. It is better to just say: He is so clever a boy. If you must use a 'that' clause, then use 'such' instead of 'so' e.g. He is such a clever a boy that I would love to see him or He is such clever a boy that I would love to see him.

Two words that are also used as intensifier are 'too' and 'very'. However, note that when they are used, you must avoid the use of a 'that' clause e.g. it is wrong to say He is too/very clever that I would love to see him. Avoid the use of a 'that' clause with any of these intensifiers.

– Use of 'with a view to' and 'ing-verb':
When 'with a view to' is used in a sentence, note that the verb that should follow should be in a progressive (continuous) form e.g. I came here with a view to seeing the clever boy (not with a view to see).

– Use of 'look forward to' and 'ing-verb':
When 'look forward to' is used, the verb that should also follow should be in a progressive (continuous) form e.g. I look forward to seeing you next week (not look forward to see). We all look forward to enjoying ourselves at the party.

– Use of 'no sooner' and 'than':
When 'no sooner' is used in a clause, it should be followed by 'than' e.g. No sooner had I entered the house than the rain started.

– Use of 'scarcely'/'hardly' and 'when':
When 'scarcely' and 'hardly' are used in a clause, they should be followed by 'when' e.g. Scarcely had the semester started when the school was shut down. Hardly had I begun to speak when the bell rang. The concert had hardly started when the lights went off.

– Use of 'no choice' and 'but':
Note that when the phrase 'no choice' is used, you should not follow it with a clause beginning with 'than', but follow it with a clause that begins with 'but' e.g. The students have no choice but to pass. (Not than to pass).

In the next article we are going to write about Disjunctive (Question Tag).