Level 1 — Foundation · Clauses & the First Paragraph
Task 15: Compressing a Clause Into a Participle Phrase
Take two full sentences and compress the second one into a participle phrase describing a noun in the first — the exact compression Lesson 15 taught you to expand back.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this task, you should be able to:
- Compress a 'who/that + be + V-ing' relative clause into a V-ing participle phrase
- Compress a 'who/that + be + V3' relative clause into a V3 participle phrase
- Keep the reduced clause's implied subject matching the noun it describes, avoiding a dangling modifier
Introduction
Lesson 15 taught you to expand a compact phrase like "the data collected from participants" back into its full "that were collected" form. This task runs the process the other way: you start with two full sentences and compress the second one down into a short participle phrase, exactly the way a real writer would.
The Rule, for Writing
Core Concept
Find the noun your second sentence is really describing, then drop "who/that + be" and keep only the verb form. If the noun performs the action, use V-ing (active). If the noun receives the action, use V3 (passive). Then attach the participle phrase directly next to the noun it describes — placing it next to the wrong noun creates a dangling modifier, a sentence that accidentally claims the wrong thing did the action.
Example
Two sentences: The inspector reviewed the report. The report was submitted late. Compressed: The inspector reviewed the report submitted late. ("submitted late" describes "report" — passive, V3.)
Two sentences: The workers operate the crane. The workers arrived early this morning. Compressed: The workers operating the crane arrived early this morning. ("operating the crane" describes "workers" — active, V-ing.)
Your Turn
Your Turn
Here are two pairs of plain sentences. Pair 1: The driver delivered the package. The driver knows this route well. Pair 2: The engine was repaired last week. The engine now runs smoothly. Compress each pair into ONE sentence by turning the second sentence into a participle phrase attached to the correct noun.
Vocabulary in Context
submitverbformal
to formally hand in or present something, such as a document (জমা দেওয়া)
Often with submit a report, submit for approval, submit by the deadline
“Applicants must submit the form by Friday.”
routenounneutral
the path taken between one place and another (রুট/পথ)
Often with shipping route, alternative route, on route
“The carrier chose a longer route to avoid the storm.”
Model Answer
Show a model answer
Pair 1: The driver delivering the package knows this route well. Pair 2: The engine repaired last week now runs smoothly.
Self-Check
Self-Check
- Did you choose V-ing for an active relationship and V3 for a passive one?
- Is your participle phrase placed right next to the exact noun it describes?
- Could a reader mentally expand your compressed sentence back to "who/that + be + verb" and recover the same meaning?
- Did you write both sentences directly in English, without translating from Bangla first?
Next: Writing 16 — Attributing a Claim With a That-Clause: writing your own reporting-verb sentence that separates a claim from where it comes from.