Lesson 26 By Joseph C. Blumenthal The Process of Reduction

When we substitute a simpler word group for a longer and more complicated word group, we say that we reduce the longer word group. To reduce a word group means to (simplify, complicate) it.

When we substitute a simpler word group for a longer and more complicated word group, we say that we reduce the longer word group. simplify To reduce a word group means to (simplify, complicate) it.

In general, express you ideas in the simplest word group you can without sacrificing clearness. A good sentence, like a good machine, has no useless parts. If you can express your idea in a prepositional phrase, don’t use (a sentence, an adjective).

In general, express you ideas in the simplest word group you can without sacrificing clearness. A good sentence, like a good machine, has no useless parts. a sentence If you can express your idea in a prepositional phrase, don’t use (a sentence, an adjective).

1. Sentence 2. Clause 3. Phrase (verbal, appositive, prepositional) 4. Single word (adjective, adverb) As we proceed through this list from 1 to 4, the sentence elements become more (simple, complicated).

1. Sentence 2. Clause 3. Phrase (verbal, appositive, prepositional) 4. Single word (adjective, adverb) simple As we proceed through this list from 1 to 4, the sentence elements become more (simple, complicated).

The process of reducing a word group to a simpler word group is called reduction. Which is an example of reduction? (a, b) a. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. b. Changing a single word to a clause.

The process of reducing a word group to a simpler word group is called reduction. a Which is an example of reduction? (a, b) a. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. b. Changing a single word to a clause.

Which change would be preferable in your writing? (a, b) a. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. b. Changing a single word to a clause.

a Which change would be preferable in your writing? (a, b) a. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. b. Changing a single word to a clause.

When you reduce a word group, you generally improve your writing by using (fewer, more) words.

fewer When you reduce a word group, you generally improve your writing by using (fewer, more) words.

We have spent many frames on reducing sentences to subordinate word groups—to clauses and various kinds of phrases. Now we shall practice other types of reduction. Ann stumbled while she was coming down the stairs. Which two words can you omit from the adverb clause without changing the meaning? ___ ___

We have spent many frames on reducing sentences to subordinate word groups—to clauses and various kinds of phrases. Now we shall practice other types of reduction. Ann stumbled while she was coming down the stairs. she was Which two words can you omit from the adverb clause without changing the meaning? she was

Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. The two words that we can omit from the adverb clause are the subject and a part of the ____.

Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. verb The two words that we can omit from the adverb clause are the subject and a part of the verb.

Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. In the above sentence, using the elliptical clause eliminates ___ words (How many?) The word elliptical means “having words omitted.” An adverb clause from which words have been omitted is an elliptical clause.

Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. two In the above sentence, using the elliptical clause eliminates two words (How many?) The word elliptical means “having words omitted.” An adverb clause from which words have been omitted is an elliptical clause.

Crackers will stay crisp if they are kept in a tin box. The italicized elliptical clause can be reduced to: _____________

Crackers will stay crisp if they are kept in a tin box. if kept in a tin box The italicized elliptical clause can be reduced to: if kept in a tin box

While he was looking for a job, Ted had many disappointments. The elliptical clause to which the italicized adverb clause can be reduced to: _______________

While he was looking for a job, Ted had many disappointments. While looking for a job, The elliptical clause to which the italicized adverb clause can be reduced to: While looking for a job,

When I saw the child, I put on the breaks. Seeing the child, I put on the breaks. This reduction eliminates ___ words. (How many?) An adverb clause can often be reduced to a present participle phrase.

When I saw the child, I put on the breaks. Seeing the child, I put on the breaks. two This reduction eliminates two words. (How many?) An adverb clause can often be reduced to a present participle phrase.

Because I wanted experience, I fixed the radio myself. ______________, I fixed the radio myself. How can the adverb clause be reduced?

Because I wanted experience, I fixed the radio myself. Wanting experience Wanting experience, I fixed the radio myself. How can the adverb clause be reduced?

I set the alarm so that it would wake me at six. I set the alarm to wake me at six. The reduction eliminates ____ words. (How many?) An adverb clause that starts with the clause signal so that can often be reduced to an infinitive phrase.

I set the alarm so that it would wake me at six. I set the alarm to wake me at six. The reduction eliminates three words. (How many?) An adverb clause that starts with the clause signal so that can often be reduced to an infinitive phrase.

He adjusted the carburetor so that it would use less gas. What is the infinitive phrase to which the adverb clause can be reduced: He adjusted the carburetor ___________.

He adjusted the carburetor so that it would use less gas. What is the infinitive phrase to which the adverb clause can be reduced: He adjusted the carburetor to use less gas.

a. The house was built on a hill that overlooked a lake. b. The house was built on a hill overlooking a lake. Adjective clauses, too, can often be reduced to the same kind of verbal phrases. See how we change an adjective clause to a present participial phrase: The present participle in sentence b is ________.

a. The house was built on a hill that overlooked a lake. b. The house was built on a hill overlooking a lake. Adjective clauses, too, can often be reduced to the same kind of verbal phrases. See how we change an adjective clause to a present participial phrase: The present participle in sentence b is overlooking.

Books may be borrowed by anyone who has a library card. Fill in the present participial phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: Books may be borrowed by anyone _______ __________.

Books may be borrowed by anyone who has a library card. Fill in the present participial phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: Books may be borrowed by anyone having a library card.

We bought some corn that was picked this morning. Now we shall reduce an adjective clause to past participial phrase: Which two words in the adjective clause can be omitted without changing the meaning? ___ ___

We bought some corn that was picked this morning. Now we shall reduce an adjective clause to past participial phrase: that was Which two words in the adjective clause can be omitted without changing the meaning? that was

We bought some corn picked this morning. We bought some corn that was picked this morning. Fill in the past participle phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: We bought some corn _____________.

We bought some corn picked this morning. We bought some corn that was picked this morning. Fill in the past participle phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: We bought some corn picked this morning.

You need more facts that will prove your argument. You need more facts to prove your argument. An adjective clause can sometimes be reduced to an infinitive phrase. In the second sentence we changed the verb will prove to the infinitive ______.

You need more facts that will prove your argument. You need more facts to prove your argument. An adjective clause can sometimes be reduced to an infinitive phrase. to prove In the second sentence we changed the verb will prove to the infinitive to prove.

We are planning a program that will stimulate an interest in science. Fill in the infinitive phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: We are planning a program _____________ ________________.

We are planning a program that will stimulate an interest in science. Fill in the infinitive phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: We are planning a program to stimulate an interest in science.

By understanding the various types of subordinate word groups, you not only save words but also give more interesting variety to your sentences. If you had several adjective clauses close together, would it generally be a good idea to change one of them to a participial phrase? (yes, no)

By understanding the various types of subordinate word groups, you not only save words but also give more interesting variety to your sentences. yes If you had several adjective clauses close together, would it generally be a good idea to change one of them to a participial phrase? (yes, no)

If you thought that you had repeated the word because too many times, how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? I threw away the box because I thought it was empty. I threw it away the box, ________ it was empty.

If you thought that you had repeated the word because too many times, how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? I threw away the box because I thought it was empty. I threw it away the box, thinking it was empty.

If you thought that you had used to many clauses beginning with “When you…,” how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? When you train a dog, always use the same commands. In ____________, always use the same commands.

If you thought that you had used to many clauses beginning with “When you…,” how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? When you train a dog, always use the same commands. In training a dog, always use the same commands.

After the above sentence, which of the following sentences would offer greater variety –a or b? a. As I looked down the street, I saw clouds of smoke. b. Looking down the street, I saw clouds of smoke. As I got off the bus, I saw fire engines.

b After the above sentence, which of the following sentences would offer greater variety –a or b? a. As I looked down the street, I saw clouds of smoke. b. Looking down the street, I saw clouds of smoke. As I got off the bus, I saw fire engines.

Write the following answers on your own sheet of paper.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: If they are overcooked, vegetables lose their flavor. (elliptical clause) 1. __________________, vegetables lose their flavor.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: A violin will deteriorate if it is not played occasionally. (elliptical clause) 2. A violin will deteriorate ______________________________.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: As I walked through the tall grass, I suddenly heard the rattle of a snake. (present participial phrase) 3. ______________________________, I suddenly heard the rattle of a snake.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: Since I don’t understand Spanish, I was at a serious disadvantage. (present participial phrase) 4. ______________________________, I was at a serious disadvantage.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: We went to the lake so that we could escape the heat. (infinitive phrase) 5. We went to the lake ______________________________.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: It is a tedious job which requires much patience. (present participial phrase) 6. It is a tedious job ______________________________.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: The union published a full-page advertisement which stated their viewpoint on the strike. (present participial phrase) 7. The union published a full-page advertisement ______________________________.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: Every nail that was used in the old fort was made by hand. (past participial phrase) 8. Every nail _____________________was made by hand.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: Most of the articles that were advertised in the paper were sold out. (past participial phrase) 9. Most of the articles _____________________were sold out.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: Frank had little money that he could spend on entertainment. (infinitive phrase) 10. Frank had little money _________________________.

In this and the following frames, reduce each italicized clause to the type of word group indicated in parentheses: We called a meeting so that we could elect officers. (infinitive phrase) 11. We called a meeting _________________________.

You are done!!!