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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