Clause Reduction 1

Shortening a modifying clause with a be verb

Reducing a modifying clause

MODIFYING CLAUSE	REDUCED CLAUSE
A modifying clause with a be verb form (typically a prepositional phrase, a passive verb or a progressive verb) can be shortened.	By removing that, who, or which and the be form of the verb (is, are, am was, or were) the clause can be shortened. "that + be deletion"
The seat [that was] next to me was for the host. (a prepositional phrase)	The seat next to me was was for the host. (a prepositional phrase)
The man [who is] seated beside the host is the guest. (a passive verb)	The man seated beside the host is the guest. (a past participial clause)
The Evening Show [which is] airing this month has a new host. (a progressive active verb)	The Evening Show airing this month has a new host. (a present participial clause)

On a talk show the host invites a guest to appear and discuss topics.
air (v.) – on the air, broadcasting, televising

Clause Reduction

Prepositional Phrases

Reducing a Clause with a Prepositional Phrase

FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE			REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE
An adejective clause with a be verb and a prepositional phrase can be reduced or shortened.			By removing that, who, or which and the be form of the verb (is, are, am was, or were) the clause can be shortened. Then it becomes part of the subject, now a subject clause.
SUBJECT The man	MODIFYING CLAUSE who is next to me	VERB + COMPLEMENT writes novels.	SUBJECT CLAUSE The man next to me	VERB + COMPLEMENT writes novels.
The new books	that are on my desk	are about James Bond.	The new books on my desk	are about James Bond.
The news show	that is in the morning	hosted the writer.	The news show in the morning	hosted the writer.

complement – a word, phrase or clause which is necessary in a sentence to complete its meaning

Clause Reduction

"Be" auxiliary verb — progressive

Clauses with Progressive Tense

FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE			REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE
An adejective clause with a be verb in a progressive tense can be reduced or shortened.			By removing that, who, or which and the be form of the verb (is, are, am was, or were) the clause can be shortened. Then it becomes part of the subject, now a subject clause.
SUBJECT The man	MODIFYING CLAUSE who is writing the book	VERB + COMPLEMENT researched Ian Fleming.	SUBJECT CLAUSE The man writing the book	VERB + COMPLEMENT researched Ian Fleming.
The new book,	which is coming out in May,	is about James Bond.	The book coming out in May	is about James Bond.
The Bond fans,	who are waiting outside	want their books signed.	The Bond fans waiting outside	want their books signed.

Clause Reduction

"Be" auxiliary verb — passive

Clauses with Passive

FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE			REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE
An adejective clause with a be verb and a prepositional phrase can be reduced or shortened.			By removing that, who, or which and the be form of the verb (is, are, am was, or were) the clause can be shortened. "that + be deletion"
SUBJECT The character	MODIFYING CLAUSE that was created in 1953	VERB + COMPLEMENT changed over the years.	SUBJECT CLAUSE The character created in 1953	VERB + COMPLEMENT changed over the years.
Ian Fleming	who was educated in England	wrote fourteen books.	Ian Fleming educated in England	wrote fourteen books.
Devil May Care	that was written by S. Faulks	creates a modern Bond.	Devil May Care written by S. Faulks	creates a modern Bond.

Grammar Notes

Traditional & Current

(Advanced)

Traditional &. Current Grammar Descriptions

TRADITIONAL	CURRENT
The That + Be Deletion rule (ESL / EFL) In a modifying clause with a be verb form (prepositional phrase, a passive verb or a progressive verb): 1) The relative pronoun that, who / whom, which can be omitted 2) The be verb can be omitted. A relative pronoun (that, who/whom, which, etc.) is a word that introduces a relative clause (also called an adjective or modifying clause). The pronoun joins the modifying clause to the noun before it.	Finite and Non-finite Subordinate Clauses (Linguistics – see Finite / Nonfinite.) A finite subordinate clause (containing a verb marked with tense) can be changed to a nonfinite subordinate clause (containing a verbal form – a gerund-participle or past participle) which becomes a modifying part of another sentence element such as a subject or object noun. A finite clause — who is seated behind me — the clause has the internal structure of a sentence--it has a subject and a verb marked with tense. A non-finite clause — seated behind me — the clause has a verbal form, a participle, not marked by tense. The clause becomes part of another sentence element, in this case, the subject: The woman seated behind me.

TRADITIONAL

CURRENT

The That + Be Deletion rule (ESL / EFL)

In a modifying clause with a be verb form (prepositional phrase, a passive verb or a progressive verb):

1) The relative pronoun that, who / whom, which can be omitted

2) The be verb can be omitted.

A relative pronoun (that, who/whom, which, etc.) is a word that introduces a relative clause (also called an adjective or modifying clause). The pronoun joins the modifying clause to the noun before it.

Finite and Non-finite Subordinate Clauses (Linguistics – see Finite / Nonfinite.)

A finite subordinate clause (containing a verb marked with tense) can be changed to a nonfinite subordinate clause (containing a verbal form – a gerund-participle or past participle) which becomes a modifying part of another sentence element such as a subject or object noun.

A finite clause — who is seated behind me — the clause has the internal structure of a sentence--it has a subject and a verb marked with tense.

A non-finite clause — seated behind me — the clause has a verbal form, a participle, not marked by tense. The clause becomes part of another sentence element, in this case, the subject: The woman seated behind me.

Tree Diagram of Clauses

FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE — FINITE CLAUSE	REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE — NONFINITE CLAUSE
The full modifying clause still has a subject (who) and a verb (is) marked for tense and person agreement. This full clause is also called a finite clause.	The reduced modifying clause no longer has a subject, and the verb is no longer marked for tense or person agreement. This reduced clause is also called a nonfinite clause. Other examples

Clause; Subject / Predicate; Finite / Nonfinite; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det. – determiner

Practice

Daytime Talk Shows

Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE - SHORTEN THE CLAUSE	CHECK YOUR ANSWER
1.	A woman told all her husband's personal secrets.
2.	A man found himself face to face with her on stage. trash (v.) = to speak unkindly, or rudely about someone
3.	A man met his brother for the first time on stage.
4.	A man was explaining how comfortable it was.
5.	A man was talking about how unfair the law is.
6.	A woman told what it was like to live with her name. Madonna – a sexy, pop-music singer
7.	Two women were fighting in a pool of mud. mud (n.) – water mixed with dirt
8.	Two men told everyone exactly what they thought of her.
9.	A mother-in-law called her "an unworthy pig". jealous (adj.) – feeling angry and unhappy because someone has something that you wish you had unworthy (adj.) – not deserving respect, not having value
10.	The host was hit by a flying chair. flying chair – Someone threw a chair in the air and it accidentally hit him.

Grammar-Quizzes.com

PRACTICE ON POINTS OF ENGLISH GRAMMAR

Clause Reduction 1

Shortening a modifying clause with a be verb

Reducing a modifying clause

Clause Reduction

Prepositional Phrases

Reducing a Clause with a Prepositional Phrase

Clause Reduction

"Be" auxiliary verb — progressive

Clauses with Progressive Tense

Clause Reduction

"Be" auxiliary verb — passive

Clauses with Passive

Grammar Notes

Traditional & Current

Traditional &. Current Grammar Descriptions

Tree Diagram of Clauses

Practice

Daytime Talk Shows