By 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.
Practice 1
Reasons for not including a by-Phrase
Delete the by-phrase (if):
Practice 2
The Elian Gonzalez Affair
Include the by-phrase?
- Select an option and read the comment about each option.
- Compare your response to the comment box on the right.
- Note that there are no "absolute" rules. The writer or the speaker decides whether to include the by-phrase..
