SKILL 13: USE REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES CORRECTLY

SKILL 13:

USE REDUCED ADJECTIVE CLAUSES CORRECTLY

Adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form. In the reduced form, the adjective clause connector and the be – verb that directly follow it are omitted. 

 

 

Each of these sentences may be used in the complete form or in the reduced form. In the reduced form the connector who, which, or that is omitted along with the be – verb is or was. If there is no be – verb in the adjective clause, it is still possible to have a reduced form. When there is no be – verb in the adjective clause, the connector is omitted and the verb is changes into the -ing form. 

 

In this example there is no be – verb in the adjective clause which appears in today’s paper, so the connector which is omitted and the main verb appears is changed to the –ing form appearing.

It should be noted that not all adjective clauses can appear in a reduced form. An adjective clause can appear in reduced form only if the adjective clause connector is followed directly by a verb. In other words, an adjective clause can only be reduced if the connector is also subject.

e.g.                      The woman that I just met is the tour guide ( does not reduce)

A final point to note is that some adjective clauses are set off from the rest of the sentence with commas, and these adjective clauses can also be reduced. In addition, when an adjective clause is set off with commas, the reduced adjective clause can appear at the front of the sentence.

 

 

EXERCISE 13:

Each of the following sentences contains an adjective clause, in a complete or reduced form. Underline the adjective clauses. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I)

 

 

3.        (__________) Serving a term of four years, the mayor of the town will face re-election next year.

4.       (__________) The brand new Cadillac, purchasing less than two weeks ago, was destroyed in the accident.

5.       (__________) The fans who supporting their team always come out to the games in large numbers.

6.        (__________) The suspect can be seen in the photographs were just released by the police.

7.        (__________) The food placing on the picnic table attracted a large number of flies.

8.    (__________) Impressed with everything she had heard about the course, Marie signed her children up for it.

9.    (__________) The passengers in the airport waiting room, heard the announcement of the cancelled flight, groaned audibly.

10.    (__________) Dissatisfied with the service at the restaurant, the meal really was not enjoyable.

ANSWER KEY

1.        C

2.        I                ( sat should be sitting)

3.        C

4.        I                (purchasing should be purchased)

5.        I                (omit who)

6.        I                (omit were)

7.        I                (placing should be placed)

8.        C

9.        I                (heard should be hearing)

10.    I                (illogical reduction)