Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition · Lesson 47 (cont.) · Part 1: Part I: The elementary course

48. Shortening and enlarging sentences

Goal: Your child can turn a clause into a word or phrase, and a word or phrase into a clause.

⏱ About 30 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • Paper and a pencil (or a slate)

What's in the book

Pages 76 and 77 finish Lesson 47 with sentences to write using clauses in different jobs, complex sentences to reduce to simple ones, and simple sentences to enlarge into complex ones, followed by review questions.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Review

    Ask: What is a subordinate clause? Give an example.

  2. Clauses in four jobs

    Look at the book's models together:

    I believe that the earth is round.

    Our teacher is delighted when we are studious.

    Ask what job each clause does (object; adverbial). The book asks for five sentences with clauses as subjects, objects, adjective elements and adverbial elements.

  3. Shrink a clause

    Read the rule:

    Complex sentences may often be reduced to simple sentences by using single words or phrases

    The book's models: "A man who is wealthy lives there" becomes "A man of wealth lives there" or "A wealthy man lives there." "We started when the sun rose" becomes "We started at sunrise."

    Now try:

    A pupil that is studious, will learn rapidly.

    Men who are honest, are respected.

  4. Grow a phrase

    The book also does the opposite: enlarging simple sentences into complex ones. Try:

    I went down to the river at ten o'clock.

    They came here to see the country.

  5. Check together

    Compare with the answers. Many versions can be right.

  6. Use it today

    Take one long sentence from today's reading and try to say it more briefly.

Answers to the book's problems

Reduced: A studious pupil will learn rapidly. Honest men are respected. A boy at play is happy. An unavoidable accident occurred at the factory this morning. Franklin the philosopher was an American. They weighed anchor at the turn of the tide. My brother has gone to the city to find employment. Enlarged (examples): I went down to the river when it was ten o'clock. They came here that they might see the country. Thou hast uttered words that are cruel.

Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.

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