Shortening clauses to modifying phrases - while, when before, after, since

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Adverb Phrases

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.
(subjects of both clauses are the same)

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.
(subjects of both clauses are the same)

Before – earlier

BEFORE - ADVERB CLAUSE	BEFORE - MODIFYING PHRASE
Before Anne left home, she locked the doors.	Before leaving home, she locked the doors.
(subjects of both clauses are the same)

After – later

ADVERB CLAUSE	MODIFYING PHRASE
After Anne left work, she went food shopping.	After leaving work, Anne went food shopping.
(subjects of both clauses are the same)

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.
(subjects of both clauses are the same)

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.)

Practice

Simultaneous Events

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

#	YOUR RESPONSE	ANSWER CHECK
1.	, I was counting sheep.	, I was counting sheep.
2.	, my roommate handed me my car keys.	, my roommate handed me my car keys.
3.	the house, I think about what I was supposed to study.	the house, I think about what I was supposed to study.
4.	in the room , I catch up with my homework	in the room, I catch up with my homework.
5.	, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.	, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.
6.	, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.	, I always feel like I should go home and get busy studying.
7.	, my English abilities have kept me from expressing myself.	, my English abilities have kept me from expressing myself.
8.	to speak a second language, I'm also learning more about my native language.	to speak a second language, I'm also learning more about my native language.
9.	I am more compassionate with others with English. (note that no punctuation is necessary when the adverb is between the clauses)	I am more compassionate with others with English.
10.	I will carry this experience with me long this country.	I will carry this experience with me long this country.

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