Reducing Adverb Clauses to Modifying Phrases

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Reducing Adverb Clauses to Modifying Phrases	Framed \| Unframed

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Making a Modifying Phrase from an Adverbial Clause

Same Time

WHILE - ADVERB CLAUSE	WHILE - MODIFYING PHRASE
While John was walking home, he came across a skunk.	While walking home, he came across a skunk.
The subjects of both clauses must be the same to shorten them.

An ADVERBIAL CLAUSE modifies the verb. It is a dependent clause. It cannot stand alone. It answers the questions: When?, How?, Why?

When did it happen? LONG ANSWER: while he was walking home SHORT ANSWER: while walking home

Earlier

BEFORE - ADVERB CLAUSE	BEFORE - MODIFYING PHRASE
Before Anne left home, she locked the doors.	Before leaving home, she locked the doors.
The subjects of both clauses must be the same to make this kind of reduction.

Sentence Transformation

CHANGES		MODIFYING PHRASE	INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
1	Check that both clause subjects are the same.	Before she left home,	she locked the doors.
2	Omit the subject of the first clause.	Before [she] left home,
3	Change the verb to -ing form.	Before [left] leaving home,
		Before leaving home,	she locked the doors.

Common Mistake

ERROR

FIX

* Before taking a driving course, his father told him to be careful.
(Who is taking the driving course?)

Before the son took a driving course, his father told him to be careful.
(Subjects of both clauses must be the same to use a modifying phrase.)

Practice

If the clause can be shortened to a modifying phrase, write the phrase in the text box.

Check your response.

#	YOUR RESPONSE / CHECK response
1.	While I was falling asleep, I was counting sheep. YOUR RESPONSE: I was counting sheep. I was counting sheep.
2.	Before I left the house, my roommate handed me my car keys. my roommate handed me my car keys. my roommate handed me my car keys.
3.	While I drive to school, I think about what I was supposed to study. I think about what I was supposed to study. I think about what I was supposed to study.
4.	Before my classmates arrive in the room, I catch up with my homework. , I catch up with my homework. , I catch up with my homework.
5.	After the class finishes, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying. , I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying. , I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.
6.	After I get out of class, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying. I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying. , I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.
7.	Since I came to this country, my English abilities have kept me from expressing myself. , my English abilities have kept me from expressing myself. , my English abilities have kept me from expressing myself.
8.	While I am learning to speak a second language, I'm also learning more about my native language. I'm also learning more about my native language. I'm also learning more about my native language.
9.	I am more compassionate with others when they struggle with English. I am more compassionate with others I am more compassionate with others (note that no punctuation is necessary when the adverb is between the clauses)
10.	I will carry this experience with me long after I leave this country. I will carry this experience with me long I will carry this experience with me long

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Julie Sevastopoulos - College of San Mateo - San Mateo, CA 94402 USA

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