REDUCTION
Relative clauses and adverbial clauses can be changed into reduced phrases. There
are certain ways to change a clause into a reduced phrase.
Reduction of adverb clauses into reduced phrases:
An adverb clause can be changed into a reduced phrase only when the
subject of the adverb clause and the subject of the main clause are the same.
The way of reducing also depends on whether the sentence is in the active or
passive voice.
Adverb Clauses in Active Voice
Clause: While I was watching the film, I fell asleep on the sofa.
Phrase: a. While watching the film, I fell asleep on the sofa.
b. Watching the film, I fell asleep on the sofa.
Clause: Since Robin came to this school, he has made a few friends.
Phrase: a. Since coming to this school, Robin has made a few friends.
b. Coming to this school, Robin has made a few friends.
When the activity in the adverb clause was completed before the activity in the
main clause, having + verb 3 (past participle) can be used to emphasize:
Clause: After she had finished her homework, she went to bed.
Phrase: a. After having finished her homework, she went to bed.
b. Having finished her homework, she went to bed.
If we don’t need to emphasize this, we may not use it.
Phrase: c. After finishing her homework, she went to bed.
d. Finishing her homework, she went to bed.
Reduced phrase can be used after the main clause too. In this use the
conjunction is usually used:
e. She went to bed after having finished her homework.
f. She went to bed after finishing her homework.
Adverb Clauses in Passive Voice
Clause: When he was asked about the problem, he said he didn’t know.
Phrase: a. When (being) asked about the problem, he said he didn’t know.
b. (Being) Asked about the problem, he said he didn’t know.
Clause: Because it was used several times, it may be thrown away.
Phrase: a. Being used several times, it may be thrown away.
b. Used several times, it may be thrown away.
Adverb Clauses with “when” can be used with prepositions both in the
active and passive:
Clause: When they opened the box, they found many old toys.(active)
Phrase: On / Upon opening the box, they found many old toys.
Clause: When the parcel was opened, it burst into flames.(passive)
Phrase: On/Upon being opened, the parcel burst into flames.
Don’t forget:
An adverb clause can only be reduced only when the subject of the adverb
clause and the subject of the main clause are the same, omitting the subject
and the auxiliary of the adverb clause. However, the subjects “it” and
“there” are exceptions, and they cannot be reduced.
Reduction of relative clauses into reduced phrases:
A Relative Clause can be changed into a reduced phrase only when the
relative pronoun is the subject. The way of reducing also depends on whether
the sentence is in the active or passive voice.
Relative Clauses in Active Voice
Clause: The boy who is waiting for me is John.
Phrase: The boy waiting for me is John.
Clause: The girl who usually answers the questions properly is Hatice.
Phrase: The girl usually answering the questions properly is Hatice.
Clause: The people who don’t have their tickets with them won’t be taken in the
concert hall.
Phrase: The people not having their tickets with them won’t be taken in the
concert hall.
Relative Clauses in Passive Voice:
Clause: The sentences which are written in this book are really interesting.
Phrase: The sentences (being) written in this book are really interesting.
Clause: Ankara, which is declared as the capital city, is the second largest city of
Turkey.
Phrase: a. Ankara, declared as the capital city, is the second largest city of Turkey.
b. Declared as the capital city, Ankara is the second largest city of Turkey.
Clause: The patient who hasn’t been examined by the doctor yet is very ill.
Phrase: The patient not being examined by the doctor yet is very ill.
Relative Clauses with Adjectives
Clause: Aynur is the person who is responsible for organizing meetings.
Phrase: Aynur is the person responsible for organizing meetings.
Clause: The information which is essential for this experiment can be obtained
from Mr Web.
Phrase: The information essential for this experiment can be obtained from Mr.
Web. ( relative pronoun and the auxiliary “is” omitted.)
Relative Clauses with Prepositional Phrases:
Clause: The books that are on the table belong to me.
Phrase: The books on the table belong to me.
Clause: The car which is in the garage now is the most expensive one.
Phrase: The car in the garage now is the most expensive one.
Relative Clauses with Noun Phrases:
Clause: Atatürk, who was the first president of Turkey, is one of the greatest leaders.
Phrase: a. Atatürk, the first president of Turkey, is one of the greatest leaders.
b. The first President of Turkey, Atatürk, is one of the greatest leaders.