Fun with Reduced Adjective/Relative Clauses! Yay!

Hi Class,

We have a lot of fun things to do today, here is a list of assignments to do on the net:

1. GRAMMAR

Here is an explanation of the new grammar point we're learning in Unit 8. For more information, go to: http://international.ouc.bc.ca/chalkntalk/reducedclauses/

Reduced Adjective/Relative Clauses

Remember:
1. A relative clause is an adjective clause.
2. A reduced clause is a phrase.
3. When you are not sure if you can reduce the clause or not, then don't.
4. Usually only one-word participles can be put in front of the noun:
a. The wolves howling tonight must be hungry... The howling wolves tonight must be hungry.
Look at these examples of relative (adjective) clauses:
1a. People who buy lottery tickets are often found at bingo.
1b. People buying lottery tickets are often found at bingo.
2a. The students who were waiting for their funding from the government were disappointed.
2b. The students waiting for their funding from the government were disappointed.
3a. Those students who want to go to Big White for snowboarding need to pay soon.
3b. Those students wanting to go to Big White for snowboarding need to pay soon.
Explanation:
In the sentences above, the relative pronoun (who, which, that) can be omitted along with the verb to be and replaced by the present participle (-ing). Notice that the simple present verb tense changes to the present participle.
In 1b, the verb in the clause expresses a habitual or continuous action, something that happens on a regular basis. Other examples:
a. Kids playing in the streets may get run over. = Kids who play…
b. ESL students attending summer session must register by Friday. = students who will attend…
However, hobbies and repeated actions cannot take this construction:
c. People who play golf are always prepared for inclement weather.
(compare: The people playing golf today are getting wet from all the rain.)
d. Students who don’t practice their English don’t improve very quickly.

(compare: Students not practicing their English during class time today will be punished.)
e. The bus which leaves at 6:03 was late today, so I caught the 6:08 one for downtown.
(compare: *The bus leaving at 6:03 was late today.)
In 2b, the verb is in the continuous or progressive tense and can be replaced by the present participle:
f. I am waiting for the student who is writing his final exam early. = …for the student writing…
g. Give high marks to the students who are speaking English in class today. = …the students speaking…
In 3b, verbs like wish, desire, want, and hope (not like) can be used in this way.
h. Those students desiring a second grammar course please sign up at my office.
i. All the students wishing for a better grade are here studying hard.
Helpful hint: When you are not sure, put in the who, which, or that.
Note: These examples are used for defining or definite relative clauses.

2. Current Events/Weekly Reader

You can learn more about the topics we've been studying in our Current Events Magazine, there are extra lessons that you can do on the net that go with each issue.
Here's how to access your CURRENT EVENT MAGAZINE from WEEKLY READER.

You can go to the links on the right side of this page and CLICK ON "WEEKLY READER". Or, you can type the following into your browser:

1) http://www.weeklyreader.com/you

2) In the menu at the top, click on "Secondary Resources"

3) Click on "Current Events" (note: this is the only magazine that we subscribe to, so if you click on the wrong magazine you will not have access to it.)

4) At this point you will see options for additional exercises that go with the most recent issue. If you don't have that magazine, you can CLICK ON:
"digital version HERE"

5) From there, you will see a sign-in page, go to "Students", where it says "Magic Word" type "bonnie".

It will take you to different Current Event Issues that you can look at, but go down to the bottom of the page where it says "Digital Editions" and click on the picture of the magazine.

3) For more grammar exercises, you can go to the program on this computer, "Focus On Grammar" Intermediate (purple book). I will put the unit number on the board so you can study more about reduced adjective and relative clauses.

Enjoy!

Bonnie