Grammar-Quizzes › Clauses › Relative Clauses › Clause Reduction 1
Clause Reduction 1
Reduce modifying clauses having be verb forms
In Context (removing wordy clauses)
Jimmy Fallon was a popular cast member who was popular on a late-night comedy show. The funny comedian who is funny is now the host on the Tonight Show. He left the comedy show that was Saturday Night Live in 2004 and began hosting the late-night talk show in 2014. The Tonight Show host, who is Jimmy Fallon, has continued to make audiences laugh. He opens the show with his monologue that is about the day's events.
Then he sits down at his desk that is to the left of the stage. The chair that is next his desk is for the guest. The person who is seated beside the host is a celebrity. The show is broadcasted live in a studio that is located in New York. The Tonight Show, which is airing this month, will host a variety of guests. Guests who will be appearing this month will be asked to participate in games, pranks, and musical skits.
broadcast (V) – air, televise, transmit for radio or television
cast member (NP) – one of a group who acts or performs in a show, movie or play
celebrity (N) – a famous or well known person
live (Adj) – at the moment it happens, not shown from earlier recording
monologue (N) – comedy solo, the telling of his jokes
prank (N) – a playful, amusing trick on someone (possibly mean)
skit (N) – a short funny comedy act or theatrical acting performance
wordy (Adj) – having more words than necessary; being overly lengthy
Modifying Clauses—Reducing Wordiness
| MODIFYING CLAUSE |
|---|
Modifying (relative) clauses add information about a noun (N) or noun phrase (NP). Some clauses clearly identify the noun to a specific one (restrictive), and other modifying clauses add extra, "nice to know" information (nonrestrictive). Though informative, the clauses are often wordy. Compare how a full (finite) clause can be changed to a reduced (nonfinite) clause. |
| NOUN — THAT + BE + ADJECTIVE |
A relative clause is placed after the noun that it modifies. |
The comedian, who is funny, is now the host on the Tonight Show. If the modifying clause adds extra information about the noun, separate the clause with commas. (The clause still makes sense if the modifying clause is omitted.) |
| NOUN — THAT + BE + NOUN PHRASE |
He left the comedy show that was Saturday Night Live in 2004 and began hosting the late-night talk show in 2014. |
The host who is Jimmy Fallon continues to make audiences laugh. |
The Tonight Show host, who is Jimmy Fallon, has continued to make audiences laugh. (If the relative clause adds extra, non-identifying information, commas are needed.) |
| NOUN — THAT + BE + PREP PHRASE |
He opens the show with his monologue that is about the day's events. |
Then he sits down at his desk that is to the left of the stage. |
The chair that is next to his desk is for his guest. |
| NOUN — THAT + BE + PAST PARTICIPLE CLAUSE¹ |
The person who is seated beside the host is a celebrity.
|
The show is performed in studios which are located in New York. |
| NOUN — THAT + BE + PRESENT PARTICIPLE CLAUSE² |
The Tonight Show, which is airing this month, will host a variety of guests. |
Guests who will be appearing this month will be asked to participate in games, pranks and musical performances. |
| REDUCED CLAUSE |
|---|
Below, the modifying clause is less wordy. This shortening is sometimes called the "that–be deletion" rule, in which the relative pronoun—that, which, or who— and the be verb—is, are, am was, were, or will be—are omitted. The result is an adjective, a prepositional phrase, a gerund clause, or a past participle clause. |
| ADJECTIVE — NOUN |
A one-word or hyphenated modifier (e.g., late-night) is placed before the noun. |
The funny comedian is now the host on the Tonight Show..
|
| NOUN — NOUN PHRASE |
He left the comedy show Saturday Night Live in 2004 and began hosting the late-night talk show in 2014. |
The host Jimmy Fallon continues to make audiences laugh. |
The Tonight Show host, Jimmy Fallon, has continued to make audiences laugh. (Use commas.) |
| NOUN — PREP PHRASE |
He opens the show with his monologue about the day's events. |
Then he sits down at his desk to the left of the stage. |
The chair next his desk is for the guest. |
| NOUN — PAST PARTICIPLE CLAUSE¹ |
The person seated beside the host is a celebrity.
|
The show is performed in a studio located in New York. |
| NOUN — PRESENT PARTICIPLE CLAUSE² |
The Tonight Show, which is airing this month, will host a variety of guests. |
Guests appearing this month will be asked to participate in games, pranks and musical performances. |
identifying clause or restrictive clause adds identifying information; the clause makes clear which one we are talking about. See That vs. Which Clause (restrictive vs. nonrestrictive).
non-identifying clause or nonrestrictive clause adds extra information; it is an aside comment, a "nice to know" addition. Commas separate it from the main clause. See Appositives.
past participle clause See Nonfinite Participle Clause
present participle clause See Nonfinite Gerund Clause.
word placement – in general, there is a tendency to move shorter elements (words) forward and longer (phrases and clauses) structures towards the end of a clause; for example with modifiers: He is a popular comedian. (one-word modifier before noun) He is a comedian with a lot of fans. (phrase modifier after noun); and for example with objects: He told his jokes to the audience. (direct object before indirect object); He told the audience his jokes about the political situation in the Senate. (direct object after indirect object); and for example with content clauses: His cleverness is well known. It is well known that he is clever. (longer content moved to end.) See It as Subject Placeholder.
Clause Reduction
Prepositional Phrases
Reducing a Clause with a Prepositional Phrase
| FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The relative pronoun—that, who, or which—and the be verb—is, are, am was, or were may be omitted. If the clause helps to identify "which noun", then no commas are used. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The man who is next to me |
writes
|
novels. |
John Stewart, who is next to me, |
writes |
novels. |
The paperback books that are on my desk |
are |
bestsellers. |
The Today Show |
promoted |
the writer of the book that is on the bestsellers list. |
| REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The reduced clause includes just the prepositional phrase. Reducing a clause with nonidentifying information is more common with subject nouns than object nouns. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The man next to me
|
writes
|
novels. |
John Stewart, next to me, |
writes |
novels. |
The paperback books on my desk |
are |
bestsellers. |
The Today Show |
promoted |
~the writer of the book on the bestsellers list. |
bestseller (Adj) – popular
promote (V) – encourage the sales of
~ unclear meaning because of shortened phrase: Did "the Today Show promote the writer on the bestsellers list" or did "the Today Show promote the book that was on the bestsellers list." Do not reduce the clause if it becomes unclear which noun the clasuse modifies.
Clause Reduction
Gerund Clause (progressive)
Reducing a Clause with a Progressive Verb
| FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The relative pronoun—that, who, or which—and the be verb—is, are, am was, or were may be omitted. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The man who is writing the book |
researched |
Ian Fleming works. |
The new book, which is coming out in May, |
is |
about James Bond. |
The Bond fans who were waiting outside |
want |
the new adventure that is coming out today. |
Fans |
wanted |
a new adventure that was thrilling. |
The author |
welcomed |
fans who were waiting outside. |
| REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The reduced clause is called a present participle clause or nonfinite gerund clause. See Nonfinite Gerund Clause. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The man writing the book |
researched |
Ian Fleming works. |
The book coming out in May |
is |
about James Bond. |
The Bond fans who were waiting outside |
want |
the new adventure coming out today. |
Fans |
wanted |
a new adventure thrilling¹. |
The author |
welcomed |
fans waiting outside. |
¹Reducing a clause with nonidentifying information is more common with subject nouns than object nouns.
Clause Reduction
Past Participle (passive clause)
Reducing a Clause with a Passive Structure
| FULL MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The relative pronoun—that, who, or which—and the be verb—is, are, am was, or were may be omitted. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The character that was created in 1953 |
changed |
over the years. (PP) |
Ian Fleming, who was educated in England, |
wrote |
fourteen books. |
Devil May Care, that was written by S. Faulks, |
creates |
a modern James Bond. |
S. Faulks |
writes |
a story that is filled with adventure. |
| REDUCED MODIFYING CLAUSE | ||
|---|---|---|
The reduced clause is called a past participle clause or nonfinite participle clause. See Nonfinite Participle Clause. |
||
| SUBJECT | PREDICATE | COMPLEMENT [OBJECT] |
| NP | V | NP |
The character created in 1953 |
changed |
over the years. (PP) |
Ian Fleming, educated in England, |
wrote |
fourteen books. |
Devil May Care, written by S. Faulks, |
creates |
a modern James Bond. |
S. Faulks |
writes |
a story filled with adventure. |
¹Reducing a clause with nonidentifying information is more common with subject nouns than object nouns.
noun phrase (NP); verb (V); prepositional phrase (PP)
Also see Subject-Predicate-Complement.
Clause Reduction
Avoiding the Loss of Information
Reducing a Non-identifying Clause
| NON-IDENTIFYING CLAUSE |
|---|
A non-identifying clause adds nonessential information that is loosely related to the rest of the clause. It is an aside comment or even an after-thought. For this reason, reducing the clause can potentially delete information (the relative pronoun and the verb tense) which is needed to relate the clause to the main clause. Reduce a clause only if the deleted information can still be understood from the main clause. |
| PRONOUN & TENSE INCLUDED |
The Tonight Show, which was in Los Angeles, is now in New York. |
The Tonight Show, which is in New York, stars Jimmy Fallon. |
Jimmy Fallon, who is on the A-list of comedians, stars on the Tonight Show. |
The Tonight Show stars Jimmy Fallon, who is on the A- list of comedians. |
The Tonight Show stars Jimmy Fallon, who was on Saturday Night Live until 2004. |
| RELATIVE CLAUSE WITH PASSIVE |
Ellen, who is scheduled for later in the show, will be interviewd by Jimmy Fallon. Jimmy Fallon will interview Ellen, who is scheduled for tonight. |
The show is recorded in NBC Studios, which is located in New York. |
| RELATIVE CLAUSE WITH PROGRESSIVE |
The Tonight Show, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, has a new host. |
Our group bought tickets to see the Tonight Show, which is celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. (nonID clause) |
| REDUCED CLAUSE |
|---|
Lost tense information may occur when the time frame in the relative clause differs from that in the main clause. Lost pronoun reference may be problematic when the non-identifying clause is placed at the end of the clause—the clause may refer to the closest noun (as expected) or it may refer to the entire clause before it. The reduced clause may sound tacked on, unrelated or misplaced. |
| REDUCED / MISSING INFORMATION |
*The Tonight Show, in Los Angeles, is now in New York. (Tense?) |
The Tonight Show, in New York, stars Jimmy Fallon. (OK) |
Jimmy Fallon, on the A-list of comedians, stars on the Tonight Show. (OK) |
~The Tonight Show stars Jimmy Fallon, on the A-list of comedians. (Keeping the pronoun and verb would help relate the clause better.) |
*The Tonight Show stars Jimmy Fallon, on Saturday Night Live until 2004. (lost tense and pronoun reference) |
| PASSIVE VERB |
Ellen, scheduled for later in the show, will be interviewd by Jimmy Fallon. ~Jimmy Fallon will interview Ellen, scheduled for tonight. (?) |
~The show is recorded in the NBC Studios, located in New York. (OK) |
| PROGRESSIVE VERB |
The Tonight Show, celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary, has a new host. (OK) |
~Our group bought tickets to see the Tonight Show, celebrating its twenty-fifth anniversary. (Does it refer to the Tonight Show, or possibly the whole clause?) |
*not used, unclear meaning ~ not very clear; hard to understand meaning
ID clause – an identifying clause or restrictive clause adds identifying information about "which one".
nonID clause – a non-identifying clause or nonrestrictive clause adds extra information, an aside comment, "nice to know". Commas are used.
Common Mistakes
Errors and Solutions
Error and Solution
| ERROR |
|---|
Fish fresh tastes better than fish frozen. Fish that is fresh tastes better than fish that is frozen.
|
Fish salmon is high in Omega 3 oils. Salmon fish is high in Omega 3 oils. Fish that is salmon is high in Omega 3 oils. |
| SOLUTION |
|---|
Fresh fish tastes better than frozen fish. Fish that is fresh tastes better than fish that is frozen. (One-word modifiers are placed before the noun. ) |
Salmon, a type of fish, is high in Omega 3 oils. (appositive) Fish such as salmon is high in Omega 3 oils. (examples) (The identifying noun modifier "salmon" is rewritten as shown above. ) |
salmon (N) [sæ'–mən] — an ocean and freshwater fish with pink-orange flesh
Grammar Notes (Advanced)
Traditional and Linguistic Description
Traditional &. Current Grammar Descriptions
| TRADITIONAL DESCRIPTION |
|---|
That + Be Deletion Rule: In a modifying clause with a be verb form (prepositional phrase, a passive verb or a progressive verb): 1) Omit the subject pronoun (that, who / whom, which). Modified clause: The man—that is seated beside the host—is the guest.
"An adjective phrase is a reduction of an adjective clause. It modifies a noun. It does not contain a subject and a verb." (Azar "Reducing Adjective Clauses to Adjective Phrases" 13-11)
"A participle is often used intead of a relative pronoun and full verb." (Swan "Reduced relative clauses" 498.10)
|
| LINGUISTIC DESCRIPTION |
|---|
A finite clause (containing a verb marked with tense) can be changed to a nonfinite subordinate clause (containing a verbal form – a past participle, gerund-participle, or infinitive) which becomes a modifying part of another sentence element —adjectival, adverbial, or nominal.
Finite clause —who is seated beside the host—the clause has the internal structure of a sentence--it has a subject and a verb marked with tense.
Nonfinite clause —seated beside the host— 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 man.
Modified clause: The man— seated beside the host— is the guest. "Non-finite clauses as modifiers and supplements" (Huddleston 14 §9)
|
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; Word Functions; Finite / Nonfinite; NP –noun phrase; N – noun; VP – verb phrase; V – verb; Det. – determiner
Works Cited
- Azar, Betty Schrampfer, and Stacy A. Hagen. Understanding and Using English Grammar. 4th ed., Pearson Education, 2009.
- Huddleston, Rodney D., and Geoffrey K. Pullum. The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language. Cambridge UP, 2002.
- Swan, Michael. Practical English Usage. 3rd ed., Oxford UP, 2005.
Practice 1
Daytime Talk Shows
Reduce the clause.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or the "check 1-10" button at the bottom.
Practice 2
Staying in the Spotlight
Read Context
A talk show host who is trying to get better ratings often tries to outdo the other talk show hosts who are on television at the same time. A talk show host who is watched by "regulars" tends to have consistently high ratings.
To attract regulars, a talk show host has to have on celebrities who are starring in current movies or average people who are doing exceptional things. Talk shows that have on authors who are selling their books, or dog owners who are showing pet tricks tend to lose regular viewers.
A host who is resourceful will create some controversy. A controversy that is about the talk show host's bad behavior is not good. A sexy, young actress who is dancing on the host's desk gets the attention of the entertainment review shows. The entertainment show that is aired at an earlier hour will show scenes that interest viewers to watch a show that is at a later hour. The more exposure that a show receives, the better it is for the host.
A keen sense of what viewers want to see and high visibility on other shows marks a clever host who is improving his ratings.
celebrity (N) — people who are famous or in the news, such as actors, actresses, etc.
consistently (adv.) — continuously at a particular level
controversy (N) — a subject that attracts differing opinions, argument, or debate
exposure (N) — make something public; known widely
host (N) — person who receives or entertains guests (the MC of a show)
mark (V) — be a distinguishing feature
outdo (V) — excel, do more than others do
ratings (N) — an index of approval by viewers
regulars (N) — people who habitually or routinely do something
resourceful (Adj) — able to deal skillfully and promptly with new situations or difficulties
sense (N) — faculties, as sight, hearing, smell, taste, or touch, by which humans perceive or understand their surroundings
Edit the sentence and reduce a modifying clause if possible.
- Select the response from the list that best completes the sentence.
- Compare your response to the feedback by clicking the "check" or the "check 11-20" button at the bottom.