Lesson 287 - Parts of the Sentence - Sentence Variety

View lesson on Daily Grammar

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

Next Lesson

For your convenience, all of our lessons are available on our website in our lesson archive. Our lessons are also available to purchase in an eBook and a workbook format.