The Process of Reduction

1. The Process of Reduction Lesson 26 By Joseph C. Blumenthal

2. When we substitute a simpler word group for a longer and more complicated word group, we say that we reduce the longer word group. • To reduce a word group means to (simplify, complicate) it.

3. When we substitute a simpler word group for a longer and more complicated word group, we say that we reduce the longer word group. • To reduce a word group means to (simplify, complicate) it.

4. In general, express you ideas in the simplest word group you can without sacrificing clearness. A good sentence, like a good machine, has no useless parts. • If you can express your idea in a prepositional phrase, don’t use (a sentence, an adjective).

5. In general, express you ideas in the simplest word group you can without sacrificing clearness. A good sentence, like a good machine, has no useless parts. • If you can express your idea in a prepositional phrase, don’t use (a sentence, an adjective).

6. Sentence • Clause • Phrase (verbal, appositive, prepositional) • Single word (adjective, adverb) • As we proceed through this list from 1 to 4, the sentence elements become more (simple, complicated).

7. Sentence • Clause • Phrase (verbal, appositive, prepositional) • Single word (adjective, adverb) • As we proceed through this list from 1 to 4, the sentence elements become more (simple, complicated).

8. The process of reducing a word group to a simpler word group is called reduction. • Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. • Changing a single word to a clause. • Which is an example of reduction? (a, b)

9. The process of reducing a word group to a simpler word group is called reduction. • Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. • Changing a single word to a clause. • Which is an example of reduction? (a, b)

10. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. • Changing a single word to a clause. • Which change would be preferable in your writing? (a, b)

11. Changing a sentence to an appositive phrase. • Changing a single word to a clause. • Which change would be preferable in your writing? (a, b)

12. When you reduce a word group, you generally improve your writing by using (fewer, more) words.

13. When you reduce a word group, you generally improve your writing by using (fewer, more) words.

14. We have spent many frames on reducing sentences to subordinate word groups—to clauses and various kinds of phrases. Now we shall practice other types of reduction. • Ann stumbled while she was coming down the stairs. • Which two words can you omit from the adverb clause without changing the meaning? ___ ___

15. We have spent many frames on reducing sentences to subordinate word groups—to clauses and various kinds of phrases. Now we shall practice other types of reduction. • Ann stumbled while shewascoming down the stairs. • Which two words can you omit from the adverb clause without changing the meaning? shewas

16. Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. • The two words that we can omit from the adverb clause are the subject and a part of the ____.

17. Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. • The two words that we can omit from the adverb clause are the subject and a part of the verb.

18. The word elliptical means “having words omitted.” An adverb clause from which words have been omitted is an elliptical clause. • Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. • In the above sentence, using the elliptical clause eliminates ___ words (How many?)

19. The word elliptical means “having words omitted.” An adverb clause from which words have been omitted is an elliptical clause. • Ann stumbled while (she was) coming down the stairs. • In the above sentence, using the elliptical clause eliminates twowords (How many?)

20. Crackers will stay crisp if they are kept in a tin box. • The italicized elliptical clause can be reduced to: _____________

21. Crackers will stay crisp if they are kept in a tin box. • The italicized elliptical clause can be reduced to: if kept in a tin box

22. While he was looking for a job, Ted had many disappointments. • The elliptical clause to which the italicized adverb clause can be reduced to: _______________

23. While he was looking for a job, Ted had many disappointments. • The elliptical clause to which the italicized adverb clause can be reduced to: While looking for a job,

24. An adverb clause can often be reduced to a present participle phrase. • When I saw the child, I put on the breaks. • Seeing the child, I put on the breaks. • This reduction eliminates ___ words. (How many?)

25. An adverb clause can often be reduced to a present participle phrase. • When I saw the child, I put on the breaks. • Seeing the child, I put on the breaks. • This reduction eliminates twowords. (How many?)

26. How can the adverb clause be reduced? • Because I wanted experience, I fixed the radio myself. • ______________, I fixed the radio myself.

27. How can the adverb clause be reduced? • Because I wanted experience, I fixed the radio myself. • Wanting experience, I fixed the radio myself.

28. An adverb clause that starts with the clause signal so that can often be reduced to an infinitive phrase. • I set the alarm so that it would wake me at six. • I set the alarm to wake me at six. • The reduction eliminates ____ words. (How many?)

29. An adverb clause that starts with the clause signal so that can often be reduced to an infinitive phrase. • I set the alarm so that it would wake me at six. • I set the alarm to wake me at six. • The reduction eliminates three words. (How many?)

30. He adjusted the carburetor so that it would use less gas. • What is the infinitive phrase to which the adverb clause can be reduced: • He adjusted the carburetor ___________.

31. He adjusted the carburetor so that it would use less gas. • What is the infinitive phrase to which the adverb clause can be reduced: • He adjusted the carburetor to use less gas.

32. Adjective clauses, too, can often be reduced to the same kind of verbal phrases. See how we change an adjective clause to a present participial phrase: • The house was built on a hill that overlooked a lake. • The house was built on a hill overlooking a lake. • The present participle in sentence b is ________.

33. Adjective clauses, too, can often be reduced to the same kind of verbal phrases. See how we change an adjective clause to a present participial phrase: • The house was built on a hill that overlooked a lake. • The house was built on a hill overlooking a lake. • The present participle in sentence b is overlooking.

34. Books may be borrowed by anyone who has a library card. • Fill in the present participial phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • Books may be borrowed by anyone _______ • __________.

35. Books may be borrowed by anyone who has a library card. • Fill in the present participial phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • Books may be borrowed by anyone having a library card.

36. Now we shall reduce an adjective clause to past participial phrase: • We bought some corn that was picked this morning. • Which two words in the adjective clause can be omitted without changing the meaning? ___ ___

37. Now we shall reduce an adjective clause to past participial phrase: • We bought some corn that waspicked this morning. • Which two words in the adjective clause can be omitted without changing the meaning? that was

38. We bought some corn that was picked this morning. • Fill in the past participle phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • We bought some corn _____________.

39. We bought some corn that was picked this morning. • Fill in the past participle phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • We bought some corn picked this morning.

40. An adjective clause can sometimes be reduced to an infinitive phrase. • You need more facts that will prove your argument. • You need more facts to prove your argument. • In the second sentence we changed the verb will prove to the infinitive ______.

41. An adjective clause can sometimes be reduced to an infinitive phrase. • You need more facts that will prove your argument. • You need more facts to prove your argument. • In the second sentence we changed the verb will prove to the infinitive to prove.

42. We are planning a program that will stimulate an interest in science. • Fill in the infinitive phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • We are planning a program _____________ • ________________.

43. We are planning a program that will stimulate an interest in science. • Fill in the infinitive phrase to which the adjective clause can be reduced: • We are planning a program to stimulate an interest in science.

44. By understanding the various types of subordinate word groups, you not only save words but also give more interesting variety to your sentences. • If you had several adjective clauses close together, would it generally be a good idea to change one of them to a participial phrase? (yes, no)

45. By understanding the various types of subordinate word groups, you not only save words but also give more interesting variety to your sentences. • If you had several adjective clauses close together, would it generally be a good idea to change one of them to a participial phrase? (yes, no)

46. If you thought that you had repeated the word because too many times, how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? • I threw away the box because I thought it was empty. • I threw it away the box, ________ it was empty.

47. If you thought that you had repeated the word because too many times, how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? • I threw away the box because I thought it was empty. • I threw it away the box, thinkingit was empty.

48. If you thought that you had used to many clauses beginning with “When you…,” how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? • When you train a dog, always use the same commands. • In ____________ , always use the same commands.

49. If you thought that you had used to many clauses beginning with “When you…,” how could you change the adverb clause in the following sentence? • When you train a dog, always use the same commands. • Intraining a dog , always use the same commands.

50. As I got off the bus, I saw fire engines. • After the above sentence, which of the following sentences would offer greater variety –a or b? • As I looked down the street, I saw clouds of smoke. • Looking down the street, I saw clouds of smoke.