Reducing Clauses to Phrases

REDUCING CLAUSES TO PHRASES

• Clause is a group of related words that  contain a subject and a verb.
• Phrase is a group of related words that does not contain a subject and a verb.

In English, a clause can be reduced to a phrase by modifying certain forms.

Adjective clause     → →       Adjective phrase

Adverb clause        → →       Adverb phrase

A. Reducing Adjective Clauses to Adj. Phrases

    It can be done when the clause modifies   subjective nouns/pronouns using the relative pronouns: who, which, or that.

There are two ways to do it:

1. Omit the relative pronouns and the form of be.

          Examples:

a.    The child who is looking at me is my son. (clause)

   The child looking at me is my son.           (phrase) 

b. The topic that was discussed is boring. (clause)

    The topic discussed is boring.             (phrase)

c. That is the shirt which is suitable for you.

   That is the shirt suitable for you.

d. The old house that is in the corner is his.

    The old house in the corner is his.

2. Omit the pronoun and change the verb to –ing

    form if there is no be used to form the clause.

Examples:

a.    I like a job which deals with many people.

   I like a job dealing with many people.

b.    The man who stole my bag is over there.

   The man stealing my bag is over there.

c.     A little girl who wins the singing contest is Gita.

   A little girl winning the singing contest is Gita.

A. Reducing Adverb Clauses to Adv. Phrases

    It can be done only when the subjects of both sub clause and main clause refer to the same person.

Forms of Adverb Clauses which are usually reduced are:

1.    Adverb Clause of Time

2.    Expressions of “During the same Time”

3.    Expressions of Cause and Effect Relationships

Changing Adverb Clauses Time to Modifying Phrases

   This kind of clause is usually introduced by:   after, before, while, and since. 

a.    Before Tom studied abroad, he took an English course.

      Before studying abroad, Tom took an English course.  

b.    Since Marry moved here, she has got a lot of friends.

     Since moving here, Marry has got a lot of friends.

c.     After he (had) sold his house, he built a new one.

     Ö After selling his house, he built a new one.

     Ö After having sold his house, he built a new one. 

2.   Expressions of “During the Same Time”

   This kind of clause is usually introduced by:  while.

Examples:

a.    While Mr. Harry was explaining the lesson, he wrote on the blackboard. (clause)

     While explaining the lesson, Mr. Harry wrote on the blackboard. (phrase) 

b.    While Ann was sitting in the class, she fell asleep.

        While sitting in the class, Ann fell asleep.

   Expressions of Cause and Effect Relationships

   This kind of clause is usually introduced by:  because.

Examples:

a.    Because he lives near a river, he can swim well. (clause)

   Living near a river, he can swim well. (phrase) 

b.     Because Via is a nurse, she deals with patients.

    Being a nurse, Via deals with patients.

c.     Because he had watched the film twice, he didn’t want to watch it again.

   Having watched the film twice, he didn’t want to watch it again. 

Expressions with “upon + ing”  is also used as modifying phrases

Examples:

1. When I arrived at the station, I met my old friend. (Clause)

            Upon arriving at the station, I met my old friend. (Phrase)

b.      When she heard a loud knock on the door, she woke up her parents.

            Upon hearing a loud knock on the door, she   woke up her parents.

Sometimes the word upon is shortened to on, without changing the meaning.

v  Upon reaching the temple, I bought some  tickets for my friends.

            On reaching the temple, I bought some tickets for my friends.