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Maria English Society
Essential English Grammar
Teaching Notes - Unit 12
Table of Contents
Phrases
-
Clauses and phrases
-
Different kinds of phrases
-
Prepositional phrases
-
Adjective phrases
-
Adverb phrases
-
Phrases using verbals
-
Appositive phrases
-
Different ways of constructing the phrases
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Dangling modifiers
-
Identifying different kinds of phrases
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Essential English Grammar
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Unit 12
Phrases
Clauses and Phrases
A clause is a group of related words that contains a subject and a verb.
A phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb.
Adjective clauses and adjective phrases
An adjective clause can be reduced to an adjective phrase.
Examples:
The girl [ who is sitting next to me ] is Maria.
The girl (
sitting next to me ) is Maria.
The boy [who is playing the piano] is Ben.
The boy (
playing the piano) is Ben.
The books [that are on that shelf] are mine.
The books (
on that shelf) are mine.
The ideas [which are presented in that book] are good.
The ideas (
presented in that book are good.)
Adverb clauses and reduced clauses
An adverb clause can be reduced to a verbless clause.
Examples:
When they are ripe, strawberries are red.
When
ripe, strawberries are red
While I was running for the bus, I slipped on the ice.
While
running for the bus, I slipped on the ice.
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This medicine must be kept till it is called for.
This medicine must be kept till
called for.
Though we are still in our shirt sleeves, we set to work.
Though
still in our shirt sleeves, we set to work.
His opinion, whether it is right or wrong, does not concern us.
His opinion, whether
right or wrong, does not concern us.
Come next week, if it is possible.
Come next week, if
possible.
I’ll be present at the meeting unless I am sick.
I’ll be present at the meeting unless
sick.
Adverb clauses and adverb phrases
1. Cancellation should be made 3 days (prior to the event).
Cancellation should be made 3 days [before the event begins].
2. The order would not be delivered (until the end of this month).
The order would not be delivered [until we received your payment].
3. Procedures must be followed (in case of emergency).
Procedure must be followed [if there is an emergency].
4. No notice should be put up on the doors (without custodian’s approval).
No notice should be put up on the doors [unless the custodian approves].
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Adverb clauses and adverb phrases
In many cases, we can rewrite an adverb clause into an adverb phrase. Here are some examples.
Adverb clause of manner
-
The man ran [as if wolves were chasing him].
Adverb Phrase
-
(Like being chased by the wolves), the man ran as fast as he could.
Adverb clause of time
-
When he heard a cry for help, he rushed out.
Adverb Phrase
-
Hearing a cry for help, he rushed out.
Adverb clause of place
-
We can find her [where she lives].
Adverb Phrase
-
We can find her (at her house).
Adverb clause of condition
-
[If all the work is done], you can have a rest.
Adverb Phrase
-
(With all the work done), you can have a rest.
Adverb clause of comparison
-
He sings better [than the other boys in the class].
Adverb Phrase
-
(Unlike the other boys in the class), he sings well.
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Adverb clause of reason
-
[Because they had a lot of work to do], they did not go to the Summer Palace.
Adverb Phrase
-
(Having a lot of work to do), they did not go to the summer Palace.
Adverb clause of concession
-
[Although he faced his death], he didn’t say anything before the enemy.
Adverb Phrase
-
(Facing his death), he didn’t say anything before the enemy.
Adverb clause of result
-
He was so tired [that he couldn’t go any further].
Adverb Phrase
-
He was too tired (to go any further).
Adverb clause of purpose
-
We work hard [so that we may have good results].
Adverb Phrase
-
We work hard (to achieve good results).
-
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Different kinds of phrases
Prepositional phrases
A prepositional phrase is a phrase starts with a preposition.
O
( prep.
______ )
N
When a prepositional phrase describes a person/thing, it is called an adjective phrase. It describes
the noun or pronoun directly in front of it. It usually answers "Which one?" or "What kind of ?"
Examples of adjective phrases:
Prepositional phrases used as adjective phrases
The bicycle in the driveway belongs to my friend. (Which bicycle?)
Would you care for another slice of pie? (What kind of slice?)
Movies about scientific discoveries interest me. (What kind of movies?)
Here is a letter for you. (more information about "letter")
When the prepositional phrase describes an action, it is called an adverb phrase. It describes a verb
(usually), an adjective, or an adverb. It answers questions like How? Where? When? Examples of
adverb phrases:
Prepositional phrases used as adverb phrases
My friend parked his bicycle in the driveway. (Where was it parked?)
I will see you after lunch. (When will I see?)
During the movie (When did we talk?) we talked in whispers. (How did we talk?)
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Exercise
Pick out the prepositional phrases in these sentences, identify what they modify and state whether
they are adjective phrases or adverb phrases.
Examples:
This is the best place (for a vacation). – Adjective phrase
(During the night), the south wind brought rain and snow. –
Adverb phrase
1. We watched the concert from the upper balcony seats.
2. This week’s TV guide special article talks about the new season lineup.
3. His computer is the one with the green case.
4. Before 1931, women in Canada weren’t legally persons.
5. Bart made me laugh throughout the entire class.
6. The value of your finding will be measured by weight.
7. When I listened carefully, I could hear the sound of the ticking clock.
8. I’ve just come in from the storm; could I have a hot drink?
9. A carpenter bangs in nails with a hammer.
10. Amanda Marshall’s voice does not sound like any other singer’s voice.
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ADJECTIVE PHRASES
We have learned 3 kinds of Adjective Phrases. Here we write them out for our easy reference
before we go on to the fourth kind.
Adjective phrases
1.
Preposition + noun (pronoun)
a. This issue of great importance cannot be avoided.
(After the noun, to qualify the noun.)
b. This issue is of great importance.
(After *be', to qualify the subject.)
(a) means any noun or pronoun can be qualified by such a kind of phrase. This kind of phrase (preposition + noun)
is an adjective phrase, because it qualifies a noun. If not, it won’t be called adjective phrase, and is called Adverb
Phrase. (we’ll study it later.) Here is an other example for (b): The old machine is of no use = the old machine
is useless.
2.
Present participle phrase (active adjective)
a. Interesting to many, the film made a good profit.
(At the beginning of a sentence, to qualify the subject.)
b. The film interesting to many made a good profit.
(After a noun, to qualify this noun.)
We have learned this kind of active adjective. It means the film gives out interest to many. 'Film' is the giver.
3.
Past participle phrase (passive adjective)
a. Worried about his health, the old man stopped drinking.
(At the beginning of a sentence, to qualify the subject.)
b. The old man worried about his health stopped drinking.
(After a noun, to qualify this noun.)
Passive adjective means the old man receives or gets worry: he is the receiver of worry.
We should notice the places or positions for each kind of adjective phrases.
Now we come to study the FOURTH kind of adjective phrase.
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4.
The infinitive phrase
a. To keep good health, a person needs, to do exercise often.
(At the beginning of a sentence, to qualify the subject.)
b. A person to keep good health needs to do exercise often.
(After a noun, to qualify this noun.)
If we omit ' a person ' in both sentences, the infinitive phrase becomes a noun phrase, subject of
the verb 'needs':
To keep good health needs to do exercise often.
We have learned that noun phrases have two forms,- the 'ing' (gerund) and 'infinitive' (noun phrase).
Because these two forms occupy the FOUR positions – (a). before a verb, (b). after a transitive verb,
(c). after a transitive verb and (d). after a verb 'be', they are doing the job of a noun, so they are
noun phrases.
But here we have 4 kinds of phrases, which occupy TWO positions:- at the beginning of a sentence
and after a noun. They qualify a noun, and to qualify a noun is the job of an adjective, so they are
adjective phrases.
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ADVERB PHRASES
Adverb phrase that begins with to-infinitive
a.
To modify a Verb, usually to express purpose.
He came to see my brother. (= for the purpose of seeing my brother.)
We eat to live. (Purpose) ('Eat' is an intransitive verb here.)
I get up early to catch a train. (Reason)
b.
To modify an Adjective.
This cake is good to eat.
I am sorry to bother you.
The boy is anxious to learn.
But, when 'too' appears at the same time with an adverb phrase (to-infinitive or preposition +
noun), the expression shows negation.
The news is too good to be true.
=
The news is so good that it cannot be true. (Adverb clause of result.)
The theory is too hard for me.
=
The theory is so hard that I can't understand it.
He speaks too fast to be understood.
=
He speaks so fast that he can't be understood.
My heart is too full for words.
=
My heart is so full that I can't speak.
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Exercise
Turn the following adverb phrases into adverb clauses of result.
1. This tree is too high for me to climb.
= This tree is
2. This fact is too evident to require proof.
= This fact is
3. The box is too heavy for the boy.
= The box is
4. The man is too fat to run.
= The man is
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Phrases using verbals
Type of
Verb form
Parts of speech
Example
Gerund
gerund
noun phrase
Eating ice cream gives me a
phrase
(-ing)
(subject)
headache.
Gerund
gerund
noun phrase
My sister likes eating ice cream.
phrase
(-ing)
Gerund
gerund
phrase
(-ing)
phrase
Type of
(object)
noun phrase
My pleasure is eating ice cream.
(complement)
Verb form
Parts of speech
Example
Participial
present participle
adjective phrase
The girl eating ice cream is my
phrase
(-ing)
(active)
sister.
Participial
past participle
adjective phrase
Ice cream eaten too quickly gives
phrase
(-ed)
(passive)
people headaches.
Type of
Verb form
Parts of speech
Example
Infinitive
infinitive
noun phrase
I love to eat ice cream.
phrase
(to + V)
Infinitive
infinitive
adjective phrase
The place to get ice cream is
phrase
(to + V)
Infinitive
infinitive
phrase
(to + V)
phrase
phrase
Harry’s.
adverb phrase
You must go to Harry’s to get
good ice cream.
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Exercise
Pick out the verbal phrases in these sentences, and state whether they are gerund phrases participial
phrases or infinitive phrases.
Examples:
(Eating several small meals) during the day helps keep your energy level up.
– gerund phrase
We all knew the woman (singing the song so beautifully).
– participial phrase
There are several things students can do (to minimize their stress).
– infinitive phrase
1.
Swimming in your pool is fun.
2.
The person lying in the sun is my brother.
3.
Children introduced to music early develop strong intellectual skills.
4.
We intended to leave early.
5.
They asked me to bring some food.
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Exercise
Identifying gerund phrases.
· Identify the gerund phrases. A sentence may contain more than one.
· show the gerund in each phrase
· Indicate what kind of gerund phrase it is (subject, object, obj. of prep, complement)
1. Nothing will stop me from conquering the world!
2. Querying the teacher repeatedly about a disputed mark may motivate the teacher to decide
against you.
3. Justice is getting a fair trial.
4. Without question, I really hate cleaning toilets.
5. The name of this exercise is “Identifying gerund phrases”.
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Exercise
Identifying infinitive phrases
- identify the infinitive phrase. State whether each of them is an addictive phrase, as adverb phrase
or a noun phrase.
1. I went to the store to buy some milk.
2. Alice endeavored to prove her worth in the group.
3. Ever since I was a kid, I have always wanted to go to the moon.
4. Society teaches girls that they must always try to be skinny, even if they must be unhealthy to
do so.
5. Some people are just born to be winners.
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Exercise
Identifying Participial Phrases
· identify any participial phrases
· show the participle for each phrase
· show the modified word or words.
1. Walking along the hallway, I met our executive secretary.
2. Defeated by the greedy society they lived in, the Joads struggled simply for survival.
3. Having finished my work, I went back home.
4. Waking up earlier than before, he was still late for work.
5. Caught by the thought-police, Winston could only wait anxiously to see what they would do to
him.
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Appositive Phrases
What is an appositive?
An appositive is a word, sometimes a name or title that comes after a noun or pronoun, and adds
information about that noun or pronoun. Appositives are usually separated from the rest of the
clause by commas.
Examples:
1. Blackbeard, the pirate, was a notoriously cruel man. (“The pirate” is an appositive modifying
Blackbeard)
2. Henry, the madman, intended to construct a nuclear device to be detonated in his school
locker during graduation ceremonies after he was expelled. (“The madman” modifies Henry)
3. Our dog, Teddy, was killed by a cruel driver who ran him over for sport. (“Teddy” is a name
that adds information to “Our dog”)
What is an appositive phrase?
An appositive phrase is one that comes right after a noun or pronouns, and adds information about
that noun or pronoun. An appositive phrase may contain phrases or clauses within it.
Examples:
1. For Anne, a tough movie critic, “The English Patient” was a memorable film. (“A tough
movie critic” describes Anne. Notice the phrase is introduced with the indefinite article “a”.)
2. “Aliens”, the terrifying sequel to the original “Alien”, is a rare example of a sequel that is at
least as good as the original. (Describes “Aliens”. Notice the phrase is introduced with the
definite article “the”.)
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3. Margaret Atwood, an amazing Canadian writer, has been honored with many awards.
(Describes Margaret Atwood. Notice that the phrase is introduced by the indefinite article
“an”.)
Exercise
Identifying appositive phrases.
Underline each appositive phrase.
1. My brother’s first name is James, a traditional name in our family.
2. Anne likes to eat at a restaurant called The Afghan Horseman, the finest Afghan restaurant in
Vancouver.
3. Albert Einstein, pioneer of the Theory of Relativity, is regarded as one of humanity’s greatest
intellects.
4. The Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, visited Beijing last week.
5. Jennifer and I went to the mall to buy a blender, a necessary tool for making milkshakes.
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Absolute Phrases
Absolute phrases are made of nouns or pronouns followed by a participle and any
modifiers of the noun or pronoun. Absolute phrases contain a subject (unlike participial
phrases), and no predicate. They serve to modify an entire sentence.
Examples:
S
V
S
Joan looked nervous, (her fears creeping up on her).
noun/subject: her fears
participle:
creeping
absolute phrase: her fears creeping up on her
S
S
V
(The dog being dirty), Tom took it into the bathroom.
noun/subject: Tom
participle:
being
absolute phrase: the dog being dirty
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Identify the highlighted phrase as either appositive or absolute.
1. The lake frozen, they were able to take a more direct path to the cabin.
2. We ate dinner in the revolving restaurant, the one in the tower.
3. Margaret Laurence, author of ‘the stone angel’, is a world-renounced Canadian writer.
4. His friends gone on vacation, he was forced to play alone.
5. My brother, a musical major at the university, is giving a recital this Thursday.
6. Her eyes filled with pride, she stood on the podium and accepted the gold medal for
her country.
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Different ways of constructing the phrases
We have learned the use of present participle and past participle. Now we come to construct the
phrases.
The merchant paid off his debt.
The merchant applied for a new loan.
Method 1: Paying off his debt the merchant applied for a new loan.
(Put in front of a sentence)
Method 2: The merchant paying off his debt applied for a new loan.
(Put after a noun)
Method 3: The merchant paid off his debt applying for a new loan.
(Put after a sentence)
Jim was hurt in an accident. Jim went to a hospital.
Method 1: Hurt in an accident Jim went to a hospital.
Method 2: Jim hurt in an accident went to a hospital.
Method 3: Jim went to a hospital hurt in an accident.
When the subjects of two sentences are different, we turn either one into an ABSOLUTE
PHRASE (the subject is to be retained).
The merchant paid off his debt. The bank approved a new loan.
Method 4: The merchant paying off his debt, the bank approved a new loan.
or
The merchant paid off his debt, the bank approving a new loan.
The underlined are ABSOLUTE PHRASES, which mean that the phrases have NO grammatical
connection with the main clause.
An absolute phrase MUST have a COMMA to separate itself from the main clause. An absolute
phrase = an independent phrase.
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More examples:
Jane is a little girl. Jane loves sweets.
Being a little girl Jane loves sweets. (Being is -ing form of 'be'.)
Jane is eating an ice-cream. Jane enjoys it very much.
Eating an ice-cream Jane enjoys it very much.
Exercise
Using participle to combine two sentences into one simple sentence.
1.
All cars are racing madly along.
Each tries to get ahead of the other.
(Use method 4.)
2. The pedestrians jumped to the pavement. The pedestrians dodge the onrushing traffic.
(Use method 2.)
3. A cyclist doesn't care the traffic lights.
The cyclist weaves his way through traffic.
(Use method 2.)
4. A cyclist crosses the road. The cyclist risks his own life.
(Use method 3.)
5. Nathan Road is a thoroughfare. Nathan Road is a noisy place.
(Use method 1.)
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6.
People walk up and down. People crowd the pavement.
(Use method 2.)
7.
Some wish to have relaxation.
Some go into the street.
(Use method 2.)
8. Others go to a cinema. Others move hurriedly along.
(Use method 2.)
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Dangling Modifiers
When a modifier fails to make sense on qualifying a noun, we say this modifier is a Dangling
Modifier:
Incorrect:
Walking along the road, a purse was found by me.
A purse couldn't walk along the road, so 'walking' wrongly qualifies 'purse'. We have to find a
suitable noun for 'walking' to qualify.
We may rewrite it in this way:
Correct:
Walking along the road, I found a purse.
Now, I do the walking, and this makes sense.
The following is also a dangling modifier:
Incorrect:
Washed only by hand, I wrongly put the clothes into a washing machine.
The past participle phrase wrongly qualifies “I” to make no sense, because the sentence becomes 'I
was washed by hand '. We have to find a suitable noun for ‘washed by hand’ to qualify:
Correct:
Washed only by hand, the clothes were wrongly put into a washing machine.
Now, the clothes were washed only by hand, and they were wrongly put into a washing machine.
This structure makes good sense.
Finally this example is a dangling modifier as well:
Incorrect:
To drive a car in Hong Kong, it is necessary to have a Hong Kong driving license.
'It' can't drive a car; only a driver can, so we need to find a suitable noun for the adjective phrase 'to
drive a car in Hong Kong' to qualify:
Correct:
To drive a car in Hong Kong, a driver needs to have a Hong Kong driving license.
Now the phrase 'to drive a car in Hong Kong’ rightly qualifies the noun 'driver', and the driver can
drive a car in Hong Kong, not the impersonal pronoun 'it'.
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Exercise
Correct the following dangling modifiers:
1.
Burned by fire, I rebuilt my house.
2. To get married, money is needed.
3. Playing on the beach, the rain came suddenly.
4. Having finished the assignment, the TV was turned on.
5. After reading the original study, the article remain unconvincing.
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Noun Clauses, Adjective Clauses, or Adverb Clauses?
Study the following 3 subordinate clauses.
t.v.
a.
The pirates knew where the treasure was hidden.
i.v.
b.
The pirates went where the treasure was hidden.
n.
c.
The pirates found the island where the treasure was hidden.
First, we look at the verb. If the verb is transitive like 'knew', then the verb needs an object (noun),
so we can decide that the subordinate clause must be a noun clause as in (a), object of t..v. 'knew'.
When we find that the verb 'went' is an intransitive verb in (b), we know that the verb doesn't need
a noun (object), so we can decide that the subordinate clause can't be a noun clause. Then it must
be an adverb clause. As this adverb clause is introduced by 'where', we say that it is an adverb
clause of place, modifying the verb 'went' in the main clause.
In (c) there is a noun of place, 'island', in front of the subordinate clause, and this noun of place
matches the relative adverb of place 'where', so this subordinate clause must be an adjective clause,
qualifying the noun 'island'.
Study 3 more examples.
n.
a.
I remember the day when our team won the prize.
n.
b.
I shouted with joy when our team won the prize.
t.v.
c.
I remember when our team won the prize.
In (a) the noun of time, 'day', matches the relative adverb of time 'when', so this subordinate clause
is an adjective clause, qualifying the noun 'day'. In (b) the noun 'joy' is NOT a noun of time, and
doesn't match the relative adverb of time 'when', so the subordinate clause is not an adjective clause.
Then, it must be an adverb clause of time, modifying the verb 'shouted'.
(c) is simple. 'Remember' is transitive and needs an object, so the subordinate clause must be a noun
clause, object of the transitive verb 'remember' .
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Here are more examples.
n.
a.
Richard is the boy who scored the goal.
t.v.
b. I asked who scored the goal.
In (a) the noun 'boy' matches the relative pronoun 'who', so the subordinate clause is an adjective
clause, qualifying the noun 'boy'.
In (b) 'asked' is a transitive verb, which needs an object, so the subordinate clause is a noun clause,
object of the transitive verb 'asked'.
The following 2 subordinate clauses are final examples.
i.v.
a.
We would all have cheered if Richard had scored a goal.
t.v.
b.
George asked me if Richard had scored a goal.
In (a) 'cheered' is intransitive and doesn't need an object, so the subordinate clause can't be a noun
clause. Then, it must be an adverb clause of condition, modifying the intransitive verb 'would have
cheered'.
In (b) the transitive verb 'asked' is one of the few verbs that take TWO objects. Though 'asked'
already has one object 'me', it needs one more object, so the subordinate clause 'if Richard had
scored a goal' must be a noun clause, object of 'asked'.
When 'if' forms a noun clause, 'if means 'whether'. When 'if' introduces an adverb clause of
condition, 'if' means 'conditional'.
You don't know the detailed information of a passage unless you know the different kinds of the
clauses.
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Exercise
What kind of clauses are the ones underlined? Try to write you answers on the right hand side.
Examples:
That I forgot your birthday is unforgivable.
N. cl.,.sub. of 'is’
A mole is an animal that lives underground.
Adj. cl. qual. 'animal’.
I'll come when I'm ready.
Adv. cl. of time, mod. 'will'
1. Tell me where you are going.
2. The place where we are staying is on the beach.
3. You may stay where we are going for our holiday.
4. Do you know where Shakespeare was born?
5. This is the house where Shakespeare was born.
6.
I don't remember when Tom came to see me.
7. May 2 was the day when we had heavy rainfall.
8. I'll ask him if he remembers our visit.
9. Tell me who is coming to the party.
10. That is the one who’ll come to the party.
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Exercise
Change the adjective phrases to adjective clauses.
Example:
Simon, living at his parents’ house now, wants to find a new place to live.
Simon, who is living at his parents’ house now, wants to find a new place to live.
1. The people living in the apartment next door are making way too much noise.
2. I want to be like Joe, living his life as one big adventure.
3. Evelyn, known as the most intelligent person in her graduating class, thinks she will go to
university and become a surgeon.
4. The thief caught by the police was my next-door neighbor.
5. We must be careful to see the road signs showing the way to New Jersey.
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Exercise
Change the adjective clauses to adjective phrases
Remove the relative pronouns (who, which, or that), as well as helping verbs (is, are).
Example:
What is the name of the boy who is yelling out the window?
What is the name of the boy yelling out the window?
1. The animals that are causing the problem are wild bears.
2. The students who get the best marks win scholarships.
3. Bill Clinton, who is the President of the United States, has a very important job.
4. Did you find the machine which was causing the problem?
5. The signs that forbid speeding are located on every highway.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 30
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)
Exercise
Change the phrases to adverb clauses.
Example:
Thinking it was too late to cancel, Harold went to the meeting even though it was starting to snow
heavily.
Because he thought it was too late to cancel, Harold went to the meeting even though it was starting to
snow heavily.
1. Knowing it was no use, I stopped apologizing to my husband for forgetting his birthday.
2. While in London, we saw many historical buildings.
3. Before arriving at the camp, the sergeant warned us that we had better not be lazy.
4. I had to borrow money from Kate, having forgotten my own money.
5. Andrew gloated to the rest of us, having assembled the fastest computer among us.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 31
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)
Exercise
Change the adverb clauses to phrases
Example:
After Princess Diana was tragically killed in a car crash, she was buried in a widely attended and watched
funeral.
After being tragically killed in a car crash, Princess Diana was buried in a widely attended and watched
funeral.
1. While we were watching the corn fields in front of us, we missed the excitement which
happened behind us.
2. After he finished the assignment, Jack fell into bed.
3. Anne has learned much about English since she started to teach.
4. You should always check your work before you hand it in.
5. Since she came to Canada, Julia has learned a great deal of spoken English.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 32
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)
Exercise
Identifying different types of phrases.
Each sentence contains a phrase or phrases. Identify the type of each phrase from the list of 5
(prepositional, infinitive, gerund, participial, appositive)
Example:
Alan, a nice guy, wants to become a doctor. (appositive phrase, infinitive phrase)
1. Doing your homework is very important.
2. Henry works in his room.
3. Broken into pieces, the vase was garbage.
4. Jerry wants to read comic books.
5. Jill, one of Annie’s friends, likes to play basketball.
6. Alice, a grade 11 student, is going to night school to learn computer programming.
7. Frightened of the dark, Joey wanted to turn on the lamp.
8. Forgetting postcards is my biggest problem during vacation.
9. I really want to buy some souvenirs | before going home.
10. Edward, my cousin, convinced me to buy this new TV.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 33
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)
Exercise
Changing clauses into phrases
Change the following sentences, which contain modifying clauses, so that they contain modifying
phrases instead. In addition, identify whether the clauses are adjectival or adverbial.
Example.
Before I went to the store, I found my wallet. (Adverb Clause)
Before going to the store, I found my wallet. (Adverb Phrase)
Example:
The Beach Boys, who were very popular in the 1960s, still make music occasionally in the 1990s.
(Adjective Clause)
The Beach Boys, very popular in the 1960s, still make music occasionally in the 1990s. (Adjective
Phrase)
1. The doctors who discovered the rare disease were awarded with a Nobel Prize.
2. Before we attended the meeting, we needed to prepare carefully for our presentation.
3 The North American Free Trade Agreement, which was very controversial before its inception,
was intended to improve the economies of the member nations.
4
Jack and John were able to play Chess after they finished the housework.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 34
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)
5
Paula Jones intends to sue Bill Clinton, who is the President of the United States.
6. The wolverine, which is a ferocious and dangerous animal, should at all costs be avoided by
campers.
7. Before you open the door to any stranger, you must carefully check their identity and purpose.
8. Many young adults enjoy watching ‘The X-Files’, which is a show about extraordinary
occurrences.
9. I like to eat pepperoni and mushroom pizza after I come home from a movie.
10. If he knows that you can’t come to his wedding, he will be upset.
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Essential English Grammar
Lesson 12 Page 35
Maria English Society
(Revised 2016)