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detective with magnifying glassBy Phrases

Deciding when to include the "agent"

 

 

Including a By-Phrase
INDENTIFYING INFORMATION NONIDENTIFYING INFORMATION

The agent is the person who performs the action.  However, sometimes the agent is unknown or not the focus (unimportant).  Include the by-phrase if it provides identifying, important information. "Important" is the writer's point of view.

 Do not include the by-phrase if it does not add identifying, important information.

An emergency call was received by the police late last night.  (not very identifying)

An emergency call was received by the Missing Persons Department late last night. (more identifying)

 

An emergency call was recived [by someone] late last night.

A child was reported as missing by a relative late last night. (not very identifying)

A child was reported as missing by her family late last night.   (more identifying)

A child was reported as missing by the Cosmides family late last night.   (well-identified)

 

A woman was reported as missing [by someone] late last night.

The child was found by a volunteer late last night.  (not very identifying)

The child was found by her father late last night. (more identifying)

 

The woman was found [by someone] late last night.

The kidnappers were caught by the police.  (not very identifying)

The kidnappers were caught by  Officer Gomez of the San Mateo Police. ( well-identified)

 

The kidnappers were caught [by a someone] .
 

kidnapper (n.) – a person who takes someone illegally, by force.
volunteer (n.) – a person who offers to help look.

 

 

 

 

PicassoPractice 1

Reasons for not including a by-Phrase

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delete the by-phrase (if):

#

 REASONS DELETE THE BY PHRASE?
1. When the by-phrase does not add identifying information:





 
2. When the agent in the by-phrase is unknown:



3. When the agent in the by-phrase is previously mentioned (already introduced):

The Bank of the West was robbed by the "Wall Street" robber.


4. When the agent in the by-phrase is less important than the object (project):

.


5. When the agent in the by-phrase could be "anyone" (for example when giving steps in a process.)

How to Wash a Dog



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Elian grandmotherPractice 2

The Elian Gonzalez  Affair 

 

 

Include the by-phrase?

  1. Select an option and read the comment about each option. 
  2. Compare your response to the comment box on the right. 
# YOUR RESPONSE FEEDBACK
1. Elian is being hugged by his grandmother.

      
2. Elian and his family were driven by agents to the airport to board plane home to Cuba.

      

3. "Elian! Elian! Elian!" shouted about 800 children as Elian was carried by his father.

     
4. Elian was overwhelmed by the children.      
5. Elian's plane was not met by Fidel Castro. He was absent.

     
6. Later, Elian's family was driven by someone to a home-coming party.

     
7. The 6-year-old was rescued near Florida by two fishermen on Thanksgiving Day.

      
8. A request by Elian's Miami relatives was refused by the Supreme Court.