Lesson 392 - Mechanics - Punctuation - Colons

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Use a colon to separate two complete sentences when the second sentence explains, amplifies, or illustrates the first. 

 

Example: 

Jim had a good idea: He wanted to consult with the builder.

Instructions: Place colons where needed.

1. There has been no change in our plans. We will leave at 1000 P.M.

2. He stated his plans. He would borrow money; he would secure a plane; he would fly around the world.

3. That morning the people saw the problem. During the night a tree had downed the power lines.

4. Now the men knew what to do. The pressure would be increased in the forward compartment.

5. They were worried about Fred. He would fall asleep at work and spend too much time alone.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. There has been no change in our plans: We will leave at 10:00 P.M. (two colons)

2. He stated his plans: He would borrow money; he would secure a plane; he would fly around the world.

3. That morning the people saw the problem: During the night a tree had downed the power lines.

4. Now the men knew what to do: The pressure would be increased in the forward compartment.

5. They were worried about Fred: He would fall asleep at work and spend too much time alone.

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Quiz for Lessons 286 - 290 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The gardener who had sprayed the weeds with poison thought about the vacation planned for July.

2. When they saw the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly.

3. Having amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life.

4. She hurried down to the bank, withdrew all her savings, and hid them under her mattress.

5. The new recruits lined up rapidly, and the officers gave them their orders for the day.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The gardener who had sprayed the weeds with poison thought about the vacation planned for July. = adjective clause

1) Having sprayed the weeds with poison, the gardener thought about the vacation planned for July. = participial phrase

2) As he sprayed the weeds with poison, the gardener thought about the vacation planned for July. = adverb clause

3) The gardener sprayed the weeds with poison and thought about the vacation planned for July. = compound verbs

2. When they saw the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly. = adverb clause

1) Seeing the curtain go up, the audience gasped in surprise but started applauding loudly. = participial phrase

2) The audience saw the curtain go up, gasped in surprise, and started applauding loudly. = compound verbs

3) The audience who gasped in surprise and started applauding loudly saw the curtain go up. = adjective clause

3. Having amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life. = participial phrase

1) The man who had amassed a fortune was looking forward to living an easy life. = adjective clause

 

2) The man had amassed a fortune and was looking forward to living an easy life. = compound verbs

 

3) After he had amassed a fortune, the man was looking forward to living an easy life. = adverb clause

4. She hurried down to the bank, withdrew all her savings, and hid them under her mattress. = compound verbs

1) Hurrying down to the bank, she withdrew all her savings and hid them under her mattress. = participial phrase

2) After she had hurried down to the bank and withdrawn all her savings, she hid them under her mattress. = adverb clause

3) She hurried down to the bank and withdrew all her savings which she hid under her mattress. = adjective clause

5. The new recruits lined up rapidly, and the officers gave them their orders for the day. = compound sentence

1) Having lined up rapidly, the new recruits were given their orders for the day by the officers. = participial phrase

2) After the new recruits had lined up rapidly, the officers gave them their orders for the day. = adverb clause

3) The new recruits who lined up rapidly were given their orders for the day by the officers. = adjective clause

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Lesson 290 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The camper sighed heavily, strained under the weight of his load, and carried it into camp.

2. Waiting for the signal to enter, the children played happily around the entrance to the park.

3. When she had performed her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The camper sighed heavily, strained under the weight of his load, and carried it into camp. = compound verbs

1) Sighing heavily, the camper strained under the weight of his load and carried it into the camp. = participial phrase

2) While he strained under the weight of his load, the camper sighed heavily and carried it into camp. = adverb clause

3) The camper who strained under the weight of his load sighed heavily and carried it into camp. = adjective clause

2. Waiting for the signal to enter, the children played happily around the entrance to the park. = participial phrase

1) The children waited for the signal to enter as they played happily around the entrance to the park. = adverb clause

2) The children waited for the signal to enter and played happily around the entrance to the park. = compound verbs

3) The children who played happily around the entrance to the park waited for the signal to enter. = adjective clause

3. When she had performed her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = adverb clause

1) Performing her daily tasks, the old lady lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = participial phrase

2) The old lady that had performed her daily tasks lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = adjective clause

3) The old lady performed her daily tasks, and she lit a fire and warmed herself for the evening. = compound sentence

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Lesson 289 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. Standing nervously in the wings of the theater, Jeanne practiced her lines quietly and waited to go on stage.

2. The detective searched carefully through the old desk as he recounted in his mind the importance of the will.

3. The small black dog which looked weak and harmless leaped suddenly at the stranger.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

Note - There are other ways in which to write these sentences.

1. Standing nervously in the wings of the theater, Jeanne practiced her lines quietly and waited to go on stage. = participial phrase

1) Jeanne stood nervously in the wings of the theater and practiced her lines quietly while she waited to go on stage. = adverb clause

2) Jeanne stood nervously in the wings of the theater, practiced her lines quietly, and waited to go on stage. = compound verbs

3) Jeanne who practiced her lines quietly stood nervously in the wings of the theater and waited to go on stage. = adjective clause

2. The detective searched carefully through the old desk as he recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = adverb clause

1) The detective searched carefully through the old desk, and he recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = compound sentence

2) Recounting in his mind the importance of the will, the detective searched carefully through the old desk. = participial phrase

3) The detective who searched carefully through the old desk recounted in his mind the importance of the will. = adjective clause

3. The small black dog which looked weak and harmless leaped suddenly at the stranger. = adjective clause

 

1) Looking weak and harmless, the small black dog leaped suddenly at the stranger. = participial phrase

 

2) Although he looked weak and harmless, the small black dog leaped suddenly at the stranger. = adverb clause

3) The small black dog looked weak and harmless but leaped suddenly at the stranger. = compound verbs

 

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Lesson 288 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. The engineer knew the train was on time, leaned against the side, and sighed with relief.

2. Hoping to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road.

3. Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake before he returned to the cabin for breakfast.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. The engineer knew the train was on time, leaned against the side, and sighed with relief. = compound verbs

 

1) Knowing the train was on time, the engineer leaned against the side and sighed with relief. = participial phrase

2) The engineer who knew the train was on time leaned against the side and sighed with relief. = adjective clause

3) When the engineer leaned against the side and sighed with relief, he knew the train was on time. = adverb clause

2. Hoping to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = participial phrase

1) The committee for the Olympics hoped to have the seating in place by evening and hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = compound verbs

2) The committee for the Olympics that hoped to have the seating in place by evening hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = adjective clause

3) Because they hoped to have the seating in place by evening, the committee for the Olympics hurriedly set up bleachers along the main road. = adverb clause

3. Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake before he returned to the cabin for breakfast. = adverb clause

1) Having taken a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake, Mark returned to the cabin for breakfast. = participial phrase

2) Mark who had taken a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake returned to the cabin for breakfast. = adjective clause

3) Mark took a quick, refreshing swim in the mountain lake and returned to the cabin for breakfast. = compound verbs

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Lesson 287 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. At dusk the manager threw the electrical switch, and the amusement park lit up like a star-studded galaxy.

2. Walking out on the wire and completing his various routines, the acrobat carefully demonstrated his intricate ability.

3. The people who saw the basketball star surged against the restraints and called out compliments and greetings.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

Note - There are other ways in which to write these sentences.

 

1. At dusk the manager threw the electrical switch, and the amusement park lit up like a star-studded galaxy. = compound sentence

1) Throwing the electrical switch at dusk, the manager lit up the amusement park like a star-studded galaxy. = participial phrase

2) At dusk the manager who threw the electrical switch lit up the amusement park like a star-studded galaxy. = adjective clause

3) After the manager threw the electrical switch, the amusement park lit up like a star-studded galaxy at dusk. = adverb clause

2. Walking out on the wire and completing his various routines, the acrobat carefully demonstrated his intricate ability. = participial phrase

1) When he had demonstrated his intricate ability, the acrobat carefully walked out on the wire and completed his various routines. = adverb clause

2) The acrobat demonstrated his intricate ability, carefully walked out on the wire, and completed his various routines. = compound verbs

3) The acrobat who carefully walked out on the wire and completed his various routines demonstrated his intricate ability. = adjective clause

3. The people who saw the basketball star surged against the restraints and called out compliments and greetings. = adjective clause

1) Seeing the basketball star, the people surged against the restraints and called out compliments and greetings. = participial phrase

2) When the people saw the basketball star, they surged against the restraints and called out compliments and greetings. = adverb clause

3) The people saw the basketball star, and they surged against the restraints and called out compliments and greetings. = compound sentence

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Lesson 286 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

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Having learned about phrases and clauses, let's now use the following phrases and clauses to give variety to our writing: participial phrases, adverb clauses, adjective clauses, compound sentences, or compound verbs.

First identify which of the above ways is used in the sentence, and then rewrite it using the three other ways identifying each of the methods used.

Example: 

Having finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = participial phrase

You must rewrite it using an adverb clause,  adjective clause, and either a compound sentence or a simple sentence with compound verbs.

1) I finished my lessons, sat back, and gloried in my effort. = compound verbs

2) After I had finished my lessons, I sat back and gloried in my effort. = adverb clause

3) I who had finished my lessons sat back and gloried in my effort. = adjective clause

Instructions: Identify the written sentence and rewrite it the other three ways.

1. Watching the sunset above the mountain, John noticed the colors blending softly into one another.

2. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly while it chewed on its bit and neighed continually.

3. The pilot climbed into his jet plane, adjusted his helmet, and attached his oxygen pack.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

(My rewrites are only one way that can be used. Other ways may be possible.)

1. Watching the sunset above the mountain, John noticed the colors blending softly into one another. = participial phrase

1) John watched the sunset above the mountain, and he noticed the colors blending softly into one another. = compound sentence

2) While he watched the sunset above the mountain, John noticed the colors blending softly into one another. = adverb clause

3) John who was watching the sunset above the mountain noticed the colors blending softly into one another. =  adjective clause

2. The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly while it chewed on its bit and neighed continually. = adverb clause

1) The excited horse which pawed the ground rapidly chewed on its bit and neighed continually. =  adjective clause

2) Pawing the ground rapidly, the excited horse chewed on its bit and neighed continually. = participial phrase

3) The excited horse pawed the ground rapidly, chewed its bit, and neighed continually = compound verbs

3. The pilot climbed into his jet plane, adjusted his helmet, and attached his oxygen pack. = compound verbs

1) Climbing into his jet plane, the pilot adjusted his helmet and attached his oxygen pack.  = participial phrase

2) After he climbed into his jet plane, the pilot adjusted his helmet and attached his oxygen pack. = adverb clause

3) The pilot who climbed into his jet plane adjusted his helmet and attached his oxygen pack. =  adjective clause

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Quiz for Lessons 261 - 265 - Parts of the Sentence - Adverb Clauses

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Instructions: Find the adverb clauses in the following sentences and tell what they modify.

1. I am hungrier than I thought.

2. We left before the game was over.

3. Lee is older than Bill.

4. While I was waiting for the phone call, I read a book.

5. If you don't believe me, ask my wife.

6. Are you upset because I didn't call?

7. The alarm rang while I was in the shower.

8. Open the window so that we can have some fresh air.

9. Paul will take you home when you are ready.

10. You shouldn't say those things unless you are certain about their validity.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. I am hungrier than I thought.

- than I thought modifies hungrier

2. We left before the game was over.

- before the game was over modifies left

3. Lee is older than Bill.

- than Bill (is old) modifies older

4. While I was waiting for the phone call, I read a book.

- While I was waiting for the phone call modifies read

5. If you don't believe me, ask my wife.

- If you don't believe me modifies ask

6. Are you upset because I didn't call?

- because I didn't call modifies upset

7. The alarm rang while I was in the shower.

- while I was in the shower modifies rang

8. Open the window so that we can have some fresh air.

- so that we can have some fresh air modifies open

9. Paul will take you home when you are ready.

- when you are ready modifies will take

10. You shouldn't say those things unless you are certain about their validity.

- unless you are certain about their validity modifies should say

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Lesson 265 - Parts of the Sentence - Adverb Clauses

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A complex sentence is made up of an independent clause (which can stand alone and make sense) and a dependent clause (which must be attached to the independent clause to make sense). 

 

Example: 

The television was playing (independent clause) as I left the room (dependent clause). 

 

There are three kinds of dependent clauses: adjective clause, adverb clause, and noun clause.

An adverb clause is a dependent clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually modifies the verb.

Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinate conjunctions including after, although, as, as if, before, because, if, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, where, and while. These are just some of the more common ones.

Example: 

They arrived before the game had ended. 

- before the game had ended modifying arrived (telling when)

Sometimes the adverb clause is placed at the beginning of the sentence. When it introduces the sentence, it is always set off with a comma. 

 

Example: 

Before the game had ended, they arrived.

Than and as introduce clauses that are called elliptical clauses. That is they have some of their parts understood but not stated. 

 

Example: 

You are smarter than I. (am smart omitted) 

- than I modifies the comparative word smarter

Instructions: Find the adverb clauses in the following sentences and tell what they modify.

1. Ila reads music better than Becky.

2. The dog whined sadly as I walked into the house.

3. If you have time, finish doing the dishes for me.

4. Many operations are unsuccessful because the patient is not careful afterwards.

5. Whenever I go out the door, the dog barks to go also.

--For answers scroll down.

Answers:

1. Ila reads music better than Becky. (can read music well omitted)

- than Becky (can read music well) modifies better

2. The dog whined sadly as I walked into the house.

- as I walked into the house modifies whined

3. If you have time, finish doing the dishes for me.

- If you have time modifies finish

4. Many operations are unsuccessful because the patient is not careful afterwards.

- because the patient in not careful afterwards modifies unsuccessful

5. Whenever I go out the door, the dog barks to go also.

- Whenever I go out the door modifies barks

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