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Adverb PhrasesSkunk with adverbs

Shortening Clauses to Modifying Phrases

 

While – When –  Before – After – Since

 

 

 

While – same time
SAME CLAUSE SUBJECTS DIFFERENT CLAUSE SUBJECTS

 If the subject of both clauses is the same, the clause can be shortened.

 If the subject of the two clauses is different, the clause cannot be shortened.

While John was walking home, he came across a skunk.  

While walking home, he came across a skunk.

move overlook upmove overlook up (subjects of both clauses are the same)

skunk

 

When – at this particular moment
SAME CLAUSE SUBJECTS DIFFERENT CLAUSE SUBJECTS

 If the subject of both clauses is the same, the clause can be shortened.

 If the subject of the two clauses is different, the clause cannot be shortened.

When John lets his dog in, he wipes its paws.  

When letting his dog in, John wipes its paws.    

move overlook upmove overlook up (subjects of both clauses are the same)

dog at door

 

 

Before – earlier
BEFORE - ADVERB CLAUSE BEFORE - MODIFYING PHRASE

Before Anne left home, she locked the doors.

Before leaving home, she locked the doors.

move overlook upmove overlook up (subjects of both clauses are the same)

door locked

 

 

After – later
ADVERB CLAUSE MODIFYING PHRASE

After Anne left work, she went food shopping.

After leaving work, Anne went food shopping.

move overlook upmove overlook up (subjects of both clauses are the same)

door locked

 

 

Since – from that to this moment
ADVERB CLAUSE MODIFYING PHRASE

Since Eric was laid off work, he has been job-hunting.

Since being laid off work, Eric has been job-hunting.

move overlook upmove overlook up (subjects of both clauses are the same)

job hunting

 

 

 

Sentence Transformation  
CHANGES MODIFYING PHRASE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

1

Check that both clause subjects are the same.

Before she (1) left home,

she (2) locked the doors.

2

Omit the subject of the first clause.

Before [she] left home,

             

3

Change the verb to -ing form.

Before [left] leaving home,

 

 

 

Before leaving home,

she locked the doors.

 

 

 

Common Mistake
ERROR FIX 

* Before taking a driving course, his father told him to be careful.
   (Who is taking the driving course?)

Before the son took a driving course, his father told him to be careful.
(Subjects of both clauses must be the same to use a modifying phrase.)

 

 

 

 

  

Counting SheepPractice

Simultaneous Events

 

 

 

  1. Select a phrase that can replace the because-clause if it is possible. Make sure the subject of both sentences is the same.
  2. Compare your response to the answer on the right by clicking the "check" button.

 

# YOUR RESPONSE ANSWER CHECK
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(note that no punctuation is necessary when the adverb is between the clauses)
 
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