Elementary Level

not only…but…

e.g. And we could not only live a healthier life but leave behind a less
polluted Earth for our children.
(Shed some weight to save the world, Editorial, 13/11/2007)

e.g.…walking more and driving less would have, not only on improving people’s
health, but on reducing vehicle emissions of carbon dioxide, the main
greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
(Shed some weight to save the world, Editorial, 13/11/2007)

Rather than
e.g. Let’s learn from the Tin Shui Wai tragedy, rather than seeing it as
something to weep about, and then ignore.
(Women of substance, Rosanna Wong, 6/11/2007)

Despite
e.g. Despite losing his father less than a month ago, singer Andy Hui Chi-on
has recovered from his grief and released his new album, Unprecedented,
yesterday.
(Hui doesn’t miss a beat, Clara Mak, 3/11/2007)

e.g. Despite warnings of high risks with a record high index, the belief was
strong that people could cash in if they chose the right stock, he said.
(One in 10 borrows money to punt on stocks, poll finds, Dennis Chong and
Scarlett Chiang, 3/11/2007)

Instead of

e.g. We can make our own reusable bags instead of using plastic bags when
we go shopping.
(Waste reduction in Hong Kong is the only sustainable solution, Ng Ching-ho,
4/11/2007)
Besides

e.g. Besides helping a good cause, doctors are also more likely to encounter
rare ailments and severe conditions seldom seen in Hong Kong’s superior
health-care system.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

e.g. …besides food price increases, mainlanders were also facing higher
energy costs.
(Mainland inflation surges to 10-year high, Cary Huang, 14/11/2007)

Apart from

e.g. Apart from improving nutrition, the scheme has also produced some
unintended benefits.
(Food for thought, Amrit Dhillon, 14/11/2007)

due to

e.g. The rise in medical volunteers may also be due to the more relaxed
atmosphere on the mainland.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

Even

e.g. They pay for their own transport and accommodation. Many even make
extra donations to buy drugs and medical apparatus.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

e.g. It is even more dangerous for the investors to become addicted, as they
think investment is a clever move and it is easier for them to borrow money
for investment.
(One in 10 borrows money to punt on stocks, poll finds, Dennis Chong and
Scarlett Chiang, 3/11/2007)

Even though

e.g. Even though they (patients) may be able to have the ailment diagnosed,
they don’t have the money to treat it.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

Although

e.g. Although sports studies’ degrees have been around for some time, the
latest trend is degrees in specific sports, including cricket and martial arts.
(Taking ‘the Mickey’, Yojana Sharma, 27/10/2007)

In view of

e.g. In view of the good response, the hospital will further strengthen the
service and invite some breast cancer survivors to contact the new patients
and share their experiences.
(Help for breast cancer patients, Lilian Goh, 3/11/2007)

As such

e.g. True, being a lawmaker is more than just a job. It is also a public service
and, as such, the rewards cannot be measured solely in monetary terms.
(The price of attracting new political talent, Chris Yeung, 12/11/2007)
 Intermediate Level

with subj. + v-ing

e.g. Now it runs an exchange programme with La Salle College, with students
taking certain classes in the other school regularly.
(Maryknoll’s sister act, Linda Yeung, 3/11/2007)

e.g. The stock frenzy has lured some students away from classrooms, with
some using grants and deferring repayment of loans to fund their
investments.
(One in 10 borrows money to punt on stocks, poll finds, Dennis Chong and
Scarlett Chiang, 3/11/2007)

with subject + adj.

e.g. More students had started to invest in the stock market in the past few
months, with some so keen they were missing classes.
(One in 10 borrows money to punt on stocks, poll finds, Dennis Chong and
Scarlett Chiang, 3/11/2007)

so + adj. + that

e.g. His (Andy Hui) mother passed away in July 1998. At that time he was so
miserable that he nearly cancelled his concerts that September.
(Hui doesn’t miss a beat, Clara Mak, 3/11/2007)
Note: ‘While’
here means
While… [complete sentence], …[complete sentence] “Although”.

e.g. While [musical talents and prodigies like Aristo Sham are popular in
Hong Kong], [one should be surprised to see how little fame Hong Kong
artists have within the local general public.]
(Hong Kong is nothing more than a pot of zestless culture congee, Jason
Chan Yik-hong, 20/10/2007)

e.g. While [it is illegal for drivers to offer discounts], [bargaining by

passengers is not.]
(Proposals seek views on taxi fare discounts, Young Post, 24/10/2007)

e.g. While many phone users are obsessed with updating their mobiles to the
latest trendy multi-function models, homeless people just want one that
makes phone calls.
(Groups seek old phones for the homeless, Agnes Lam,

While

e.g. The clothing…had a sharp look designed to stand out on the platform or
concourse while creating a customer-friendly image.
(Railway staff well suited for new challenge, Kelly Chan, 30/10/2007

Note: ‘Yet here

means “Despite
Yet
that”.

e.g. There are many countries in the world, which have not hosted an
Olympic Games and which are not involved in any form of space exploration
and yet they are still proud of their country.
(A bad case of selective pride, Editorial, 30/10/2007)

It is this simple yet positive attitude towards life that supports Pang, who
returned to Hong Kong last May to pursue his dream of becoming a singer.
(A shy man who sings a joyful song, SCMP, 18/4/2008)

Given = knowing about or considering a particular thing

e.g. Given the public’s generally negative image of our lawmakers, the idea of
raising their salaries and introducing new benefits now has been greeted
with a lot of doubt and skepticism.
(The price of attracting new political talent, Chris Yeung, 12/11/2007)
Present participle cause as the subject

e.g. Having an understanding of the past can help the next generation
recognize China’s success and enhance the sense of national identity.
(Appalled by ignorance, Amy Law, 7/11/2007)

e.g. Being the longest-serving doctor in the psychiatric hospital, Dr Cheung,

59, has witnessed many changes.
(Doctor salutes mental care in community, Lilian Goh, 4/11/2007)
Wh-clause as the subject

e.g. There are myriad patients who need help, but what we can do is very
limited.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

e.g. What has caught the attention of the veteran educator is the quick
policy changes over the past years and students’ heavy workload.
(Maryknoll’s sister act, Linda Yeung, 3/11/2007)

e.g. Whether young pupils are able to handle using English to learn English
Language, Putonghua to learn Chinese Language and Cantonese for other
subjects requires further study.
(HK$200m plan to help schools use Putonghua, Mimi Lau, 30/10/2007)

When it comes to (+verb-ing)

e.g. When it comes to recycling, we should all separate the waste at source
into plastic bottles, aluminium cans and paper, and put them into the waste
separation recycling bins.
(Waste reduction in Hong Kong is the only sustainable solution, Ng Ching-ho,
4/11/2007)
e.g. It is important for the government not to be perceived as showing
favoritism when it comes to big Hollywood productions while neglecting local
filmmakers.
(Equal treatment for local filmmakers, Editorial, 7/11/2007)
As far as

e.g. As far as the Olympics goes, in order to win the right to host the Games
in 2008, Beijing made pledges to the International Olympic Committee – an
organization dominated by foreigners.
(China’s human rights are everyone’s affair, Frank Ching, 30/10/2007)

Contrary to

e.g. Contrary to the media reports, China is far from being the only country
with a questionable product safety record.

Hardly

e.g. In Hong Kong, you can hardly find a patient with a brain tumor of more
than 1cm as they would have sought treatment before the condition further
deteriorated.
(Brought to heal, Patsy Moy, 31/10/2007)

As for

e.g. As for alcohol, I will certainly drink less and definitely not drive after
drinking alcohol.
(Drink-driving regretted, Jimmy Cheung, 30/10/2007)

As to
e.g. However, there are no statistics as to how many qualified Putonghua
Chinese language teachers there are.
In addition

e.g. In addition to financial support, qualifying schools would get Putonghua

teaching advice from mainland experts.
(HK$200m plan to help schools use Putonghua, Mimi Lau, 30/10/2007)

Whereas = compared to the fact that; but

e.g. The security department wanted their uniform to give them a more
authoritative image, whereas the company wanted it to be customer-
friendly.
(Railway staff well suited for new challenge, Kelly Chan, 30/10/2007)
 Advanced Level

Omission of “be”

e.g. The inside of the building was dark, smoky and empty, and the situation
appalling, Wu recalls.
(Female firefighters are proving it’s not just men who can stand the heat,
Patsy Moy, 24/10/2007)

e.g. The result has been the “golden weeks”, the chaotic phenomenon of up
to half a billion people on the move at the same time. Roads are congested,
transport infrastructure stretched and tourist destination brought to
breaking point.

e.g. A man armed with a knife takes a hostage at the main train station in
Berlin. The man was later arrested and the hostage released unharmed.
During the drama, the man had spoken to a psychiatrist.
(SCMP, 23/11/2007)

e.g. Eleven years after the policy of “Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”
was implemented, the idea of going into politics still get mixed reactions.
Some people are indifferent, some doubtful and some cynical.
(Great expectations for new appointees, SCMP 01/06/2008)

e.g. The cause must be found promptly and measures taken to prevent a
recurrence.
(Better lessons, tougher warnings fro safer roads, SCMP, 1/7/2008)

e.g. The inquiries into both accidents have to be thorough and the findings
studied with care so that similar incidents can be prevented.
(Better lessons, tougher warnings fro safer roads, SCMP, 1/7/2008)
Omission of “should”

e.g. And, recently, officials from the Television and Entertainment Licensing
Authority asked that a book whose cover showed a 1789 painting of the
Roman god of love, Cupid, kissing his wife Psyche not be sold at a book fair
because the two were half naked.
(No method in the madness of officials, Frank Ching, 6/11/2007)

e.g. …it was clear that Mrs Ip sought to portray herself as the one who truly
understands the issues at hand, whether it be education or cross-border
traffic.
(Can the tortoise win the democracy race?, Frank Ching, 13/11/2007)

e.g. Nineteen members of the US Congress proposed a resolution last week

that Taiwan be admitted to the UN.
(State of flux, Frank Ching, 14/11/2007)

Should (used to mean “if”)

e.g. David Beckham is considering offers to train with top Premier League
clubs during January to stay fit, should he be required for the England
squad at Euro 2008.

e.g. It will be for the courts to consider the merits of the case against
G.O.D. staff, should they be charged.

Just because…does not mean…

e.g. Just because the US does not necessarily practice what it preaches
does not mean that the basic argument on freedom is wrong.
(Missing point on democracy, Michael Jenkins, 7/11/2007)

Preposition clause as the subject

e.g. But behind the gruesome tale of a mainland migrant who moved to Hong
Kong to join her husband and raise a family is a wider tragedy of poverty,
unemployment and despair in a community that some say has been abandoned
by the city authorities.
(City of Sorrow, Sherry Lee, 20/10/2007)

e.g. Among the participants is eight-year-old Mega Tan of St Margaret’s Co-

Educational Primary School.
(Farnworth teaches young fans a few tricks, Miranda Yeung, 6/11/2007)

e.g. Among the oddest donations they had received were a box of chicken
curry and a wedding certificate.
(Boom begets aid for the poor, Zoe Mak, 30/10/2007)

let alone = used after a negative statement to emphasize how unlikely a

situation is because something much more likely has never happened

e.g. Mr Bush’s America has little standing in domestic, let alone

international, public opinion.
(A home-grown force, Michael Chugani, 14/11/2007)

if not

e.g. Treating depression is often, if not always, effective and without it,
those suffering from depression cannot live happy, fulfilling lives.
e.g. The Internet Professional Association insist many retailers had very low
profit margins and e-waste fee, if not paid in full by buyers, would erode
their meagre income.

be it

e.g. On the education front, they put much emphasis on liberal education,
encouraging students to develop their talents, be it dance, music or others,
alongside academic pursuits.
(Maryknoll’s sister act, Linda Yeung, 3/11/2007)

Inversion

e.g. Very rarely does the government invest in local artists.

(Hong Kong is nothing more than a pot of zestless culture congee, Jason
Chan Yik-hong, 20/10/2007)

e.g. We need to be able to link these women in the community, to break their
cycle of isolation and their sense of being along. Only when this has been
done can we turn to practical help, such as offering women job-related
support to become either financially independent or at least able to
contribute to the household.
(Women of substance, Rosanna Wong, 6/11/2007)

e.g. Be that as it may, Hong Kong has no choice but to face up to the fact
that the expected influx of mainland money may not take place in the near
future.
(HK market must not rely on mainland, Editorial, 13/11/2007)

e.g. So persistent has it been that the government has made fighting the
problem a priority and set aside HK$3 billion to fund anti-drug programmes,
treatment and rehabilitation.
(Trust is the key to fighting youth drug abuse, Editorial, 18/3/2010)