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. |
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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. |
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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" |
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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.
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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 |
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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.


