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Trimming Sentences

Trimming Sentences. PSAT Prep. Trimming sentences- What is it?. Defined as ignoring the “nonessential” parts of a sentence. Helps spot subject/verb disagreement Helps to check the core of sentences and helps to make sure writing is clear and effective. How do you trim a sentence?.

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Trimming Sentences

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  1. Trimming Sentences PSAT Prep

  2. Trimming sentences- What is it? • Defined as ignoring the “nonessential” parts of a sentence. • Helps spot subject/verb disagreement • Helps to check the core of sentences and helps to make sure writing is clear and effective.

  3. How do you trim a sentence? • Step I: Cross out all nonessential prepositional phrases • Prepositions include: to, from, of, for, by, in, before, with, beyond, or up. • Can put them in this sentence and it will make sense: The squirrel ran ______ the tree. • Prepositional phrases start with a prepositions and end with nouns (object of the preposition)

  4. How do you trim a sentence? • Step II: Cross out all interrupting phrases • Modifying phrase • Usually separated from the main sentence by commas • Interrupts the flow of the sentence

  5. How do you trim a sentence? • Step III: Cross out any other nonessential modifiers and modifying phrases • Modifiers and modifying phrases include: adjectives, adverbs, participial phrases • Not usually essential to the basic meaning of the sentence • Exception: predicate adjectives: She is smart. If smart were taken out, the sentence wouldn’t make sense.

  6. What remains? • Essential “core” of the sentence

  7. Example: My chief concern with this budget, which I have not voiced until today, are the drastic cuts in school funds. Trimmed down: My concern are cuts. Not strong, s-v agreement isn’t there. Concern is singular, cuts is plural- need to revise How could we improve?

  8. Although I have not said so until today, I object to the drastic cuts in school funds that are proposed in this budget.

  9. Trim to make sure there is a clear and forceful idea. Original: The lack of economic programs and no big country being ready to join it symbolized the problems the League of Nations had in getting established. Trimmed: The lack and no country being ready to join it symbolized the problems. Not really clear or forceful.

  10. Revision: • The League of Nations never established itself because it lacked viable economic programs and the support of the larger countries.

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