SENTENCES WITH REDUCED CLAUSES

SENTENCES WITH REDUCED CLAUSES

It is possible in English for a clause to appear in a complete form or in a reduced form. In a reduced form, there are two types of clauses that can be reduced. They are: (1) adjective clauses, and (2) adverb clauses.[1]

Example for reduced clauses:

            My friend should be on the train which is arriving at the station now.

From this example, which is ariving at the station now is complete clause, and arriving at the station now is reduced clause.

            Before learning more and more about reduced adjective clause and reduced adverb clause, it is better for us to review our understanding about sentences, clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb clauses. Here are the review:

SENTENCES

We have known well that sentence is a group of words that contain subject and verb. There are three kinds of sentences, they are: [2]

1.    Simple sentences

A kind of sentences that are made up of one independent clause with one subject and one verb. For example: The cat ran. From this example we know that the cat is subject, and ran is  verb.

2.    Compound sentences

       A kind of sentences that are made up of two (or sometimes more) independent clauses that are joined by coordinate conjunction such as and, but, or, so,or yet. Read the examples below:

The cat ran, and the dog chased it.

We could trade in our old car, or we could keep it as a second car.

Coordinate conjunction – link two independent clauses, preceded by a

 comma at the second clause.[3]

3.    Complex sentences

A kind of sentences that are made up of one or more independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses and connected with subordinate conjunction, such as: after, before, altough, as, because, and many others. Read the example below:

Last night, the fat black cat that I saw in the street ran under the speeding blue sport car as the big shaggy dog chased after it.

From this example, the fat black cat is subject, that I saw in the street and as the big shaggy dog chased after it are dependent clauses, and ran is the verb.

CLAUSE

Clause is a constraction that has a subject and verb. There are two kinds of clause, they are: (1) IC= Independent Clause  – stands alone,conveys complete thought with no other assistence, (e.g. I late).  (2) DC= Dependent Clause (called subordinate clause) – requires the presence of an independent clause to complete the thought initiated. (e.g. when I ate).[4]

After reviewing our understanding about sentences and clauses, now let’s begin to learn about sentenced with reduced clauses.

SKILL 13: USING REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES CORRECTLY

            Before learning about reduced adjective, it is better for us to know more about adjective and adjective clauses in order to make us feel easier in doing the TOEFL test.

            Adjective is a word that describes or clarifies a noun. An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun. It describes, identifies, or gives further more information about noun. (An adjective clause is also calles relative clause.)[5] Some examples are shown below:[6]

1.      The house that has the green shuttles is for sale.

In this sentence, the house is noun, and that has the green shuttles is adjective clause.

2.      The woman whose son won the award was out of town.

In this sentence, the woman is noun, and whose son won the award is adjective clause.

3.      Anybody who finishes the test early can leave.

In this sentence, anybody is pronoun, and who finishes the test early is adjective clause.

4.      Sam’s uncle, who is very rich, came for a visit.

In this sentence, Sam’s uncle is noun, and who is very rich is adjective clause.

Adjectives clause markers

            An adjective clause is introduced by a clause marker that refers to the noun or pronoun it follows. The most common adjective clause markers are the relative pronoun who, whom, which, whose, and that.

USING SUBJECT PRONOUN: WHO, WHICH, THAT

1.    Who – used for people

Here are the examples:

·      I thanked the woman. She helped me.

ð I thanked the woman who helped me.

I thank the woman is an independent clause, and who helped me is an adjective clause. The adjective clause here modifies the noun woman.

·      I saw the man. He closed the door.

ð I saw the man who closed the door.

I saw the man is an independent clause, and who closed the door is an adjective clause. The adjective here modifies the noun man.

2.    Which – used for things

Here are the examples:

·      The book is mine. It is on the table.

ð The book which is on the table is mine.

·      I am using a sentence. It contains an adjective clause.

ð I am using a sentence which contains adjective clause.

3.    That – used for both people or things

Here are the examples:

·      I thanked the woman. She helped me.

ð I thanked the woman that helped me.

·      The book is mine. It is on the table.

ð The book that is on the table is mine.

USING OBJECT PRONOUNS: WHOM, WHICH, THAT

1.    PRONOUN USED AS THE OBJECT OF A VERB

1.    Whom - used for people

     That       - used for both people and things

Example:

The man was Mr. Jones.

          I saw him.

ð The man whom I saw was Mr. Jones.

ð The man that I saw was Mr. Jones.

In this example whom and that refer to him.

2.    Which    - used for things

That      - used for both people and things

Example:

The movie was not very good.

We saw it last night.

ð The movie which we saw last night was not very good.

ð The movie that we saw last night was not very good.

In this example whom and that refer to it.

2.    PRONOUN USED AS THE OBJECT OF A PREPOSITION

1.      Whom

Example:

She is the woman.

I told you about her.

ð She is the woman whom I told you about.

ð She is the woman that I told you about.

In this example whom and that refer to object of preposition about. It is her.

2.      Which

Example:

The music was good.

We listened to it last night.

ð The music which we listened to last night was good.

ð The music that we listened to last night was good.

In this example which and that refer to object of preposition about. It is it.

USING WHOSE

            Whose is used to show possession. It carries the same meaning as other possessive pronouns used as adjectives: his, her, its, and their. Like his, her, its, and their, whose is connected to a noun:

His bicycle = whose bicycle

            Both whose and the noun it is connected to are placed at the beginning of the adjective clause. Whose cannot be omitted.

Here is the example:

·      I know the man.

·      His bicycle was stolen.

ð I know the man whose bicycle was stolen.

In this example whose bicycle refers to his bicycle.

            Whose usually modifies “people”, but it may also be used to modify “things”. Here is the example:

·      Mr. Catt has a painting.

·      Its value is inestimable.

ð Mr. Catt has a painting whose value is inestimable.

USING WHERE

Where is used in an adjective clause to modify a place (city, county, room, house, etc.).

·      The building is very good.

·      He lives there.

ð The building where he lives is very good.

USING WHEN

            When is used in adjective clause to modify a noun of time (year, day, time, century, etc).

·      I will never forget the day.

·      I met you then.

ð I will never forget the day when I met you.

Things to remember about adjective clauses:[7]

1)   They always immediately follow the noun that they are describing

     e.g: The building {which is at the corner} is a historical monument.

     Not: The buiding is a historical monument {which is at the corner}

     Not: Which is at the corner, the buiding is a historical monument.

2)   Adjective clauses can describe any noun in a sentence- the subject, object, complement, etc.

     e.g:  the temple was beautiful. I saw it in Tokyo.

     The temple which I saw in Tokyo was beautiful

     I will show you picures. I took them in Marocco.

     I will show you pictures that I took in Marocco.

3)   Every adjective clause must follow same pattern:

     Connector – subject – verb

4)   The most common connector is “that” – it can be used of both people and things. Examples:

a.    That is the building {that Frunk Lioyd Wright designed}.

b.    She is the woman {that I studied with.

c.    He is the man {that designed the hotel}.

5)   When a noun is followed by an adjective clause, it often needs to definite article. Example:

a.    She is a woman. I sold her the house.           

b.    She is the woman I sold the house.

Exercise:

Directions: Change the short sentences into long sentences, and long sentences into two short sentences.

1)   Short sentence 1: the woman was polite.

     Short sentence 2: she answered the phone.

     Long sentence: .....

(Betty Schampfer Azar, Fundamental of English Grammar, page 240)

2)   Short sentence 1: Peter writes books.

Short sentence 2: They are translated into many languages.

Long sentence: .....

(Betty Schampfer Azar, Fundamental of English Grammar, page 240)

3)   Short sentence 1: A car crashed into mine.

Short sentence 2: It was green.

Long sentence: .....

(Betty Schampfer Azar, Essensial Grammar in Use, page 103)

4)   Short sentence 1: That is the man.

Short sentence 2: His daughter is an astronaut.

Long sentence: .....

(Betty Schampfer Azar, Fundamental of English Grammar, page 359)

5)   Long sentence: I met a man whose sister knows you.

Short sentence 1:...

Short sentence 2:...

(Raymond Murphy, English Grammar in Use, page 188)

  6)   Long sentence: I saw the man who was wearing the blue coat.

Short sentence 1: ...

Short sentence 2: ...

 (Betty Schampfer Azar, Fundamental of English Grammar, page 240)

          After learning the material about adjective clauses, now we are going to learn the material about Use Reduced Adjective Clauses Correctly.

            Adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form. in the reduced form, the adjective clause connector and the be-verb that directly follow it are omitted.[8]

       The woman who is waving to us is the tour guide.

       The letter which was written last week arrived today.

Each of these sentences may be used in the complete form or in the reduced form. in the reduced form the connector who, or which is omitted along with the be-verb is or was.

If there is no be-verb in the adjective clause, it is still possible to have a reduced form. When there is no be-verb in the adjective clause, the connector is omitted and the verb is changed into the -ing form.

                                                                appearing

I do not understand the article which appears in today’s paper.

In this example there is no be-verb in the adjective clause which appear in today’s paper, so the connector which is omitted and the main verb appears is changed to the –ing form appearing.

            It should be note that not all adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form. an adjective clause can appear in a reduced form only if the adjective clause connector is directly followed by a verb. In other words, an adjective clause can only be reduced if the connector is also a subject.

            The woman that I just met is the tour guide.               (does not reduced)

            The letter which you sent me arrived yesterday.         (does not reduce)

In these two examples the adjective clauses cannot be reduced because the adjective clause connectors that and which are not directly followed by verbs; that is directly followed by the subject I, and which is directly followed by the subject you.

            A final point to note is that some adjective clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence with commas, and these adjective clauses can also be reduced. In addition, when an adjective clause is set off with commas, the reduced adjective clause can appear at the front of the sentence.

The White House, which is located in Washington, is the home of the president.

The White House, located in Washington, is the home of the president.

Located in Washington, the White House is the home of the president.

In theis example, the adjective clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence with commas, so each sentence can be structured in three different ways: (1) with the complete clause, (2) with the reduced clause following the noun that it describes, and (3) with the reduced clause at the beginning of the sentence.

            The following example shows how reduced adjective clauses could be tested in structure questions on the TOEFL test.

In this example, answer (A) is incorrect because there are two clauses, He appeared... and the witness gave..., and thereis no connector to join them. Answer (B) is incorrect because an adjective clause such as who appeared.. cannot appear at the beginning of a sentence (unless it is in a reduced form). Answer (C) is the correct answer because it is the reduced form of the clause who appeared, and this reduced form can appear at the front of the sentence. Answer (D) is not the reduced form of a verb; it is merely a verb in the present tense; a verb such as appears needs a subject and a connector to be correct.

EXERCISE SKILLS 13

Change into reduced adjective clauses.

1.      The writer published a book that contains illustrations.

2.      The magazine ad, which was printed in Shopper’s Weekly, showed the city skyline.

3.      The ideas, that had been presented in the previous meeting, were discussed.

4.      The man, who is responsible, said the underground water had a high salt content.

5.      The detective, who was investigating the case, found an important clue.

(Jolene Gear, and Robert Gear, Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, page 94.­) 

Are the sentences bellow correct or incorret?

6.      The children sat in the fancy restaurant found it difficult to behave.

7.      The food placing on the picnic table attracted a large number of files.

8.      The brand new Cadillac, purchasing less than two weeks ago, was destroyed in the accident.

9.      The fans who supporting their team always come out to the games in large numbers.

10.  The passanger in the airport waiting room, heard the announcement of the canceled flight, groaned audibly.

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Complete Course For The TOEFL Test, page 229)

SKILL 14. USING REDUCED ADVERB CLAUSES CORRECTLY

Same with material before, let’s talk about what adverb and adverb clause are. Adverb is a word that gives information or modifies a verb. Another source references said that adverbs are words that tell you more about verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. Many adverbs end in ly. You make these adverbs by adding ly to adjectives. Here some example:[9]

1.      She writes neatly.

2.      The traffic was moving slowly.

3.      We waited patiently to see the doctor.

4.      They waved goodbye sadly.

5.      David sings beautifully.

6.      The children walked quickly into the classroom.

In addition, an adverb is a word giving us information about how, what, where, when, or to what degree something is done, e.g. do it quickly, go out/home, leave today, completely destroyed.[10]Adverbs make us know more about something, like a situation and condition about something that going happen or happened.

The kinds of adverb are[11] :

1.    Adverbs of manner (it tells us how something happens).

Example:   

a. He drives motorcycle badly.

b. She speaks English slowly.

c. The train went fast.

2.    Adverbs of time (it tells us when something happens).

Example:   

a. I feel terrible this morning.

     b. I will see him next Monday.

     c. She bought this pail yesterday.

3.    Adverbs of frequency (it helps us to answer the question “how often?”).

Example:   

a. He is always late.

     b. She sometimes isn’t reliable.

     c. I often bring work home from the office.

4.    Adverbs of place (it helps us to answer the question “where?”).

Example:   

a. They live in a house nearby.

     b. Flowers like these grow in the park.

     c. My brother is studying at an English University.

5.    Adverbial phrases of duration

Example:   

a. My wife and i worked in America for five months.

     b. John will be staying in Jakarta for two weeks.

     c. I arrived here two months ago.

And more..

Now, we would like to invite you to talk about adverb clauses. Adverb clauses is a sentence that cannot stand alone as a sentence in written English. It must be connected to an independent clauses or another word, it is dependent clauses.[12]

Example:

1.    When we were in New York, we saw several plays.

2.    Because he was sleepy, he went to bed.

3.    After i take a bath, i eat together with my family in the dining room.

The bold types are called adverb clauses.They are dependent clauses, so they must be connected to an independent clauses and usually using comma as the conjunction.

Adverb clauses can also appear in a reduced form. To use reduced form, there are some ways and some aspects like subject or be-verb must be omitted. For example using sentences above.

1.    When in New York, we saw several plays.

2.    Because sleepy, he went to bed.

3.    After taking a bath, I eat together with my family in the dining room.

In the first and second example of reduced form, subject and be-verb are omitted. Meanwhile in the third example, there is no be-verb. If there is no be-verb in the adverb clause, it is still possible to have a reduced form. When there is no be-verb in the adverb clause, the subject is omitted and the main verb is changed into the –ing form.[13]

The following chart lists the structure for reduced adverb clauses and which adverb clause connectors can be used in a reduced form.

Based on lists above, it should be noted that not all adverb clauses can appear in reduced form, and a number of adverb clauses can only be reduced if the verb is in the passive form. Example:

1.    Once you submit your thesis, you will graduate.

(Active, does not reduce).

2.    Once it is submitted, your thesis will be reviewed.

(passive, does reduce)

In reduced form : Once submitted, your thesis will be reviewed.

From example above, we can use adverb clause in many thing.

1.    Using Adverb Clauses To Show Cause And Effect

Example:

a.         Because he was sleepy, he went to bed.

       An adverb clause may precede or follow the independent clause.

b.         Since Monday is a holyday, we don’t have to go to work.

c.         Since you’re a good cook and i’m not, you should cook the dinner.

2.    Expressing Contrast (Unexpected Result): Using Even Though

a.         Because the weather was cold, i didn’t go swimming.

b.         Even tough the weather was cold, i went swimming.

Ø  Because is used to express expected result, and eve though is used to express unexpected result.

3.    Showing Direct Contrast: While And Whereas

a.    Mary is rich, while Jhon is poor.

b.    Jhon is poor, while Mary is rich.

c.    Mary is rich, whereas John is poor.

d.   Whereas Mary is rich, John is poor.

Ø  While and whereas are used to show direct contrast. “This” is exactly the opposite of “That”. While and whereas may be used with the idea of either clause with no difference in meaning. Whereas mostly occurs in formal written English. A comma is usually used even if the adverb clause comes second.

1.    Expressing Conditions In Adverb Clauses: If-Clauses

a.         If it rains, the streets get wet

b.         If it rains tomorrow, i will take my umbrella.

Ø  If-clauses (also called “adverb clauses of condition”) present possible conditions. The main clause expresses results.

2.    Adverb Clauses Of Condition: Using Whether Or Not And Even If

a.         I am going to go swimming tomorrow whether or not it is cold.

(or in another word : whether it is cold or not.)

b.        I have decided to go swimming tomorrow. Even if the weather is cold, I’m going to go swimming.

Ø  Whether or not and Even if are close meaning. They are express the idea that neither this condition nor that condition matters, the result will be the same. In this exampe means that i am going swimming. I don’t care about the temperature. It doesn’t matter.

3.    Adverb Clauses Of Condition: Using In Case And In The Event That

a.         I will be at my uncle’s house in case you (should) need to reach me.

b.        In the event that you (should) need to reach me, I’ll be at my uncle’s house.

Ø  In case and in the event that express the idea that something probably won’t happend, but it might.

4.    Adverb Clauses Of Condition: Using Unless

a.         I’ll go swimming tomorrow unless it’s cold.

b.        I’ll go swimming tomorrow if it isn’t cold.

Ø Unless = if. . . . not. These sentences have the same meaning.

5.    Adverb Clauses Of Condition: Using Only If

a.         The picnic will be cancelled only if it rains.

Ø  If it’s windy we’ll go on the picnic.

Ø  If it’s cold we’ll go on the picnic.

Ø  If it’s damp we’ll go on the picnic.

Ø  If it’s foggy we’ll go on the picnic.

Ø  If it’s unbearably hot we’ll go on the picnic.

Ø  Only if expresses the idea that there is only one condition that will cause a particular result. Because only if it rains will the picnic be cancelled.

That’s all are explaination about reduced form of adverb clauses and adverb clauses itself.

EXERCISE SKILL 14

Change into reduced adjective clauses.

1.             After they sang two songs, the performers did a dance.

2.             Before he answered the phone, he grabbed a pencil and notepad,

3.             Once he had challenged to play tennis,  Tom would not stop practicing.

4.             Since she finished studying at the university, Ellen has gone on to become a successful designer.

5.             When she is working in her garden, Jan always wears a floppy hat,

(Jolene Gear, and Robert Gear, Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, page 97.­)

Are the sentences bellow correct or incorret?

6.             Steve has had to learn how to cook and clean since left him.

7.             Altough not selecting for the team, he attends all of the games as a fan.

8.             You should negotiate a lot before buy a new car.

9.             One purchased, the swimsuits cannot be returned.

10.         Tom began to look for a job after completing his master’s degree in engineering.

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Complete Course For The TOEFL Test, page 231)  

EXERCISE SKILL 13-14

1.           Behind government secrecy for nearly half a century, the Hanford plant in central Washington produced plutoniu for the nuclear weapons of the Cold War.

A. It is hidden

B.  Hidden

C. Which is hidden

D.   The plant is hidding

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Complete Course For The TOEFL Test, page 232.)

2.    The National  Restaurant                   Washington, says that federal efforts to regulate workplace socking would kiit restaurant’s ability to respond to the desires of their patrons.

A.   Association in      

B.    Association is in

C.    Association which is in

D.     Association, based in

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Complete Course For The TOEFL Test, page 232.)

3.    Kokenee salon begin to deteriorate and die soon             at the age of four.

A.  They spawn

B.  After spawning

C. Spawn

D.Spawned the salmon

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Preparation Course For The TOEFL Test, page 128.)

4.                       in North American waterways a little over a decade ego, zebra mussels have already earned a nasty reputation for their expensive habit of clogging water pipes in the Great Lakes area.

A.     The first sighting

B.     Altough first sighted

C.     Zebra mussels were first sighted

D.    First sighting

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Preparation Course For The TOEFL Test, page 129.)

5.    A small companies may take their goods abroad for trade shows without paying foreign value-added taxes by acquiring                 an ATA carnet.

A.      A document calls

B.       A document called

C.       Calls a document

D.      Called a document

(Deborah Phillips, Longan Complete Course For The TOEFL Test, page 233.)

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[1] Jolene Gear, and Robert Gear, Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006), page 271.  

[2]Jolene Gear, and Robert Gear, Cambridge..., page 87. 

[3] Tim Avants, ACE the TOEFL Essay, (United States of Africa: Sourcebooks, 2007), page 285.

[4] Tim Avants, ACE the TOEFL Essay, (United States of Africa: Sourcebooks, 2007), page 284.

[5]Betty Schampfer Azar, Understanding and using English grammar second edition, (United States of Africa, prentice hall regents, ), page 238.

[6] Jolene Gear, and Robert Gear..., page 91. 

[7] Betty Schampfer Azar, Building Grammar Skills in TOEFL IBT.

[8]Deborah Phillips, Longman Complete Course..., page 227.

[9] Sargeant, Howard, Basic English Grammar for English Language Learners, (Saddleback Educational Publishing), page. 95.

[10] Penston, Tony, A Concise Grammar for English Language Teachers (TP. Publication), page. 51.

[11] Alexander, L. G., Longman English Grammar practice (intermediate level), (New York: Addison Wesley Longman), page. 90.

[12] Azar, Betty Schrampfer, Understanding and Using English Grammar Third Edition (New York: Pearson Education), page. 359.

[13] Phillips, Deborah, Longman Complete Course for the Toefl Test (Preparation for the computer and paper test), (New York: A Pearson Education Company, 2001), page. 230.