Non-finite Adverbial Clause In Chinese College EFL Learners’ English Writing

A non-finite clause is a clause that contains a non-finite verb,which can play versatile grammatical roles and carry various semantic attributes,thus often seen as an important index to evaluate the quality of writing.Though non-finite clauses have been much more popular as adverbial modifiers in modern English writing,previous studies that mention the adverbial function of non-finite clauses only take a small part.Therefore,it is hard to draw a comprehensive picture of the use of non-finite adverbial clauses based on previous findings.Faced with such a situation,the current study aims to explore Chinese EFL learners’,especially Chinese college EFL learners’ use of non-finite adverbial clauses.According to the definition of non-finite verbs,non-finite adverbial clauses are classified into-ing adverbial clause,-ed adverbial clause,and infinitive adverbial clause for further explorations.As an English specific program under the guidance of the pan-language framework of reference—the Common European Framework of Reference(CEFR),based on the large-size learner’s corpus Cambridge Learner Corpus(CLC),the English Profile Program(EPP)demonstrates the criterial features of two linguistic properties:grammar(English Grammar Profile,EGP)and vocabulary(English Vocabulary Profile,EVP),across six CEFR levels.The criterial forms and use of non-finite adverbial clauses are presented with detailed descriptors and examples in the EGP.Therefore,Chinese college EFL learners’ use of non-finite adverbial clauses can be evaluated with reference to the EGP,and the salient features can be retrieved.In 2018,the China’s Standards of English Language Ability(CSE)was released and came into effect.Like the CEFR,the CSE is a full-range language proficiency framework that provides a set of detailed,consistent descriptors with a multi-tiered descriptive scheme on English language ability.The successful attempt to link the CEFR levels with the CSE levels in APTIS and IELTS tests in early 2019 makes it possible to introduce the features drawn with reference to the EGP as empirical evidence to enrich the corresponding CSE descriptors.Based on the NEULC,which is a home-developed large-size learner’s corpus,the present study explores and explains Chinese college EFL learners’ use of non-finite adverbial clauses,aiming to answer the following three research questions.First,how do Chinese college EFL learners use non-finite adverbial clause in their English writing?Second,what are the salient features that Chinese college EFL learners demonstrate in their use of non-finite adverbial clauses,with reference to the EGP?Third,how are the salient features distributed across the CSE levels?Overall,-ing and infinitive adverbial clauses are much more preferred than-ed adverbial clauses.Concerning popular patterns,Chinese college EFL learners use some fixed non-finite adverbial clause patterns to infer relations,and higher-grade EFL learners tend to use higher-level base verbs to form non-finite adverbial clauses.As to semantic functions,most Chinese college EFL learners introduce non-finite adverbial clauses to enrich information or to introduce purpose.With regard to accuracy,two types of error "dangling clause" and "wrong collocation" can be summarised.With reference to the EGP,generally speaking,Chinese college EFL learners incline to use patterns of non-finite adverbial clause on B1 and B2 levels.As to each form type,while the result of-ing adverbial clauses is in line with the general tendency,the cases of-ed and infinitive adverbial clauses present divergent trends.Chinese college EFL learners’ performance of-ed adverbial clauses is at a higher stage,mainly on C1 and C2 levels,and that of infinitive adverbial clause is lower than the general tendency,mainly on A2 level.Though the distributions of forms and use of non-finite adverbial clauses in the four distinctive grades resemble,higher-grade EFL learners prefer to use more non-finite adverbial clause patterns on higher levels.Across the CSE levels,with reference to the EGP,the salient features of non-finite adverbial clauses are mainly distributed from level 3 to level 7.It is expected that this study may shed light on the teaching,learning,and assessment for English non-finite adverbial clause,and the results with reference to the EGP may serve as empirical evidence to enrich the corresponding descriptors in the CSE.