 Use strong active verbs  Unbury verbs disguised as nouns  Use active voice  Use the dependent clause  Avoid over use of prepositional phrases 1

TypeDefinitionSample simple sentence (independent clause) One complete thought with subject (noun) and predicate (verb). Our team completed the project. compound sentence (2 independent clauses) Two complete but related independent clauses joined by a conjunction. The team was challenged, but we were happy with the results. complex sentence (independent clause and a dependent clause) An independent clause and a dependent clause. A dependent clause has a noun and verb, but cannot stand alone. When we finished the project, we held a team party.

3  Avoid weak verbs. They convey practically no sense of action  do, make, perform, have  forms of the verb to be (is, was)  Avoid nouns that are really verbs in disguise  Substitute verbs that create a clear sense of action At the core of every good sentence is a strong, precise verb.

4 Make a recommendationRecommend Formulate an argument Arrive at a conclusion Argue Conclude Disguised verbs get buried in the sentence: The manager came to the realization that telecommuting made sense. The manager realized that telecommuting made sense. Tip Look for words ending in tion or ment. Could they be converted to verbs?

5 Frisky ate my homework. (4) My homework was eaten by Frisky. (6) Frisky = Doer / subject of sentence ate = Active Verb homework = Object of action homework = Object as subject by Frisky = Doer object of preposition was eaten = passive verb

6 The metropolis has been scorched by the dragon’s fiery breath. (10) The technicians demanded longer coffee breaks. (6) The explosion was caused by a kerosene lamp. (8) The dragon’s fiery breath scorched the metropolis. (7) The technicians demanded longer coffee breaks. A kerosene lamp caused the explosion. (6)

7 To emphasize the recipient of an action To de-emphasize negative news T0 conceal the doer of an action An investigation was launched. (by accounting). Cash refunds cannot be made. (by us) An error was made in our sales figures.

8 Active voice – less tactfulPassive voice – more tactful We cannot grant you credit.Credit cannot be granted. The CEO made a huge error in projecting profits. A huge error was made in projecting profits. I launched a successful fitness program for our company last year. A successful fitness program was launched for our company last year.

9  A dependent clause…  Highlights the importance of something  Links ideas together  Shows how ideas are related  Start with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun

10 SoWhereBefore AlthoughThanThough AfterSinceWhen BecauseAsWhereas IfUnlessuntil While WhoWhatWhich ThatWhyHow (many) Subordinating conjunctions Relative Pronouns

11 The project was not completed on time because the machine parts were stolen. If at first you don't succeed, try something else. A helium nucleus has two protons whereas hydrogen has only one. Energy supplies will dwindle unless we conserve.

12  in progress  on the floor  beside the garage  between the cities  of data-processing equipment  to a Martian  by walking on hot coals  for the people Less informative alternative to dependent clause Treat all ideas as grammatically equal –No discrimination –No emphasis among qualifying details Reader is left to interpret what you are trying to say

13 In their specifications for engine parts, titanium is often requested by engineers because of its resistance to the effects of high temperatures. (6) Because titanium resists high temperatures, engineers often request it in their engine part specifications. dependent clause active voice strong verb only 1 preposition

14  Circle the prepositions  Determine the doer  Determine the action Use dependent clauses instead of prepositional phrases Use active voice instead of passive Use strong verbs What to look for….. What to do …..