What is Reduce Clause? Is it important in English Spoken or Written form? CHECK THIS OUT!
Now let’s see these two sentences below! Which one is correct?
- My friend should be on the train which is arriving at the station now
- My friend should be on the train arriving at the station now
We definitely have ever seen the first sentence in the grammar book, or perhaps we often use it when making a sentence.
How about the second sentence? That is absolutely right too. That is the example of Reduce Clause.
Other examples:
- Although it was not really difficult, the exam took a lot of time
- Although not really difficult, the exam took a lot of time (Reduce Clause)
These are some reasons why we use Reduce Clause.
- Reduced clauses are a common feature of written English. They are not much used in spoken language.
- As their name implies, they are created by 'reducing ' or contracting a standard clause.
- They are a stylistic device. In other words, they are used for style.
- They also show one’s English proficiency.
- Both Adjective and Adverbial Clauses can be reduced
Reduce Clause in Adjective Clause
· The woman who is waving to us is the tour guide
· The letter which was written last week arrived today
· The pitcher that is on the table is full of iced tea
How can they be reduced? Now, try to reduce the sentences above.
Thinks to Consider
- Only when the clause marker/relative pronoun functions as the subject and directly be followed by a verb.
- Eliminate the clause marker/relative pronoun and verb-be
ú The House of Representative members who are handling the Century Gate put ashamed on Indonesian people.
ú The House of Representative members handling the Century Gate put ashamed on Indonesian people. (Reduce Clause)
How about these???
- The woman that I just met is the tour guide.
- The letter which you sent me arrived yesterday.
In this case, we cannot use Reduce Clause; because the subject is different. Thus, we just can make reduce clause sentences as long as the subjects are same.
Check this out!
Adjective Clause Reduce Clause
Teachers who work here come from many different countries
Oil which is produced here is exported elsewhere.
Teachers working here come from many different countries.
Oil produced here is exported elsewhere.
Based on the examples above, if you will make ‘active’ sentence, you just need put –ing after the verb. However, if you will make ‘passive’ sentence, you just change the verb into past participle (Verb III).
Alert!
Although showing one’s English proficiency, Reduce clause mustn’t be used in every single sentence you make. Why? It just makes a monotonous sentence or paragraph. Hence, you need to vary your sentences with simple sentence or sentence without reduce clause for instance.
How about Adverbial Clause???? Don’t go anywhere! Stay tune terus di blogku ya >,<
Source: Mr. Didin’s explanation, English Education Department-UIN Jakarta.
