Reducing Adverb Clauses

Summary

This video tutorial explains how to reduce adverb clauses for more concise and natural speech. It demonstrates the process with examples, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that the subject of the adverb clause matches the subject of the main clause. The video outlines how to convert verbs into their -ing form, remove redundant subjects, and adjust phrasing for smoother communication. Additionally, it highlights a special rule for reducing clauses with 'because,' where the word 'because' is eliminated and only the -ing form of the verb remains. Practicing these techniques can help improve sentence variety and coherence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Reducing adverb clauses helps make speech shorter and more academic.
• 😀 Recognizing the goal of reducing adverb clauses is the first step.
• 😀 An adverb clause is a group of words that provides additional information about the main action, typically starting with words like 'after,' 'because,' or 'since.'
• 😀 To reduce an adverb clause, the subject of the adverb clause and the independent clause must be the same to avoid a dangling modifier.
• 😀 Change the verb in the adverb clause to the '-ing' form to reduce it (e.g., 'after editing' instead of 'after I edited').
• 😀 Removing the subject of the adverb clause (if the subject matches the independent clause) is essential for reduction.
• 😀 In cases with a verb in the 'to be' form, remove the auxiliary verb (e.g., 'was editing' becomes 'editing').
• 😀 Check whether the subject of the adverb clause and independent clause are the same, which allows for reduction.
• 😀 In sentences with 'because,' the reduction rule is different: remove 'because,' change the verb to '-ing,' and eliminate the subject.
• 😀 Practicing reducing adverb clauses enhances sentence variety and improves coherence within ideas.

Q & A

What is the main goal of reducing adverb clauses in speech?

The main goal of reducing adverb clauses is to make speech shorter and more natural, which can also make it sound more academic.

What is the first step in reducing an adverb clause?

The first step is recognizing that reducing adverb clauses is the goal, and understanding that you need to shorten the clause while maintaining clarity.

What is the adverb clause in the example 'After I edited my paper, I turned it in'?

In this example, the adverb clause is 'After I edited my paper.'

How can an adverb clause be reduced in the example 'After I edited my paper, I turned it in'?

The adverb clause can be reduced to 'After editing my paper, I turned it in.' by changing the verb 'edited' to its '-ing' form and removing the subject.

What condition must be met for a valid reduction of the adverb clause?

The subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the independent clause must be the same for a valid reduction to avoid a dangling modifier.

What role does the verb in the adverb clause play in reduction?

The verb in the adverb clause must be changed to the '-ing' form for the reduction to occur, regardless of the verb tense.

How is the adverb clause reduced in the example 'While she was writing, she got some good ideas'?

In this case, the adverb clause is reduced to 'While writing, she got some good ideas' by removing the auxiliary verb 'was' and changing 'writing' to its '-ing' form.

What makes the word 'because' different when reducing adverb clauses?

When 'because' is used in an adverb clause, the word 'because' must be removed, and the subject and the verb in the clause should be reduced to the '-ing' form of the verb.

How is the adverb clause 'Because she worked so hard on her essay, she got a good grade' reduced?

The adverb clause is reduced to 'Working so hard on her essay, she got a good grade' by removing 'because' and turning the verb 'worked' into 'working.'

What is the advantage of reducing adverb clauses in sentences?

Reducing adverb clauses improves sentence variety and coherence, making ideas clearer and more concise.