Chapter 10 Finite Verb Clauses

EX ER CIS E A NS W ER KE Y CHAPTER 10 – FINITE VERB CLAUSES – II Exercise 10.1 There are many possible answers for this exercise. The following are examples. 1. Her story was that a severe headache had forced her to miss the examination. (Subject complement) 2. That Richard tried to make a videotape of his own life stor y didn’t surprise anyone. (Subject) 3. Gerald argued that alien invasion movies really ought to be considered a form of film noir. (Direct object) 4. After sitting in the dark for 45 minutes, I finally realized that the custodian had turned off the light. (Direct object) 5. The best explanation could be that you never deposited that check into your account. (Subject complement) Exercise 10.2 This exercise is somewhat complex. Going over it in class affords an opportunity to monitor student mastery of the material. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. that we should call skim milk “fat free milk” (nominal clause: direct object) that revealed many details of her neighbors’ activities (relative: modifies binoculars) that a family of bears had destroyed several camps (nominal clause: appositive) that she needed a new pair of jeans (nominal clause: subject) that focuses on the arts (relative clause: modifies school) Exercise 10.3 1. EX ERC I SE AN SW ER K EY 2. 3. EX ER C ISE A NSW ER KEY 4. 5. EX ERC IS E AN S WER KEY Exercise 10.4 1. whose (determiner) offer to accept = interrogative clause functioning as object of preposition about. 2. Why (adverbial) Marie gave up her apartment, where she has lived for the past three years = interrogative clause functioning as subject where she has lived for the past three years = relative clause; antecedent of where is her apartment. 3. which (determiner) theater will be showing the restored version of “Gone with the Wind,” which was released in June = interrogative clause functioning as direct object which was released in June = relative clause; antecedent of which is “Gone with the Wind” 4. where (adverbial) the tour guide was taking us at such a late hour = interrogative clause functioning as direct object (indirect question) 5. How (adverbial) we were supposed to complete the project in only three days = interrogative clause functioning as subject who was planning to be on a golfing vacation = relative clause; antecedent of who is boss Exercise 10.5 1. that Rao will know who called her = that clause functioning as direct object of hopes who called her = interrogative clause functioning as direct object of will know EX ER C ISE A NSW ER KEY 2. how a bee can find its own hive = interrogative clause functioning as direct object of learned 3. how language is evolving in L.A. today = interrogative clause functioning as object of preposition about EX ERC I SE AN S WER KE Y 4. What repels ants = interrogative clause functioning as subject of is Exercise 10.6 This is a good exercise for classroom discussion. 1. Fred kept on watching Springer on television, although lightning struck a tree in the backyard. Although lightning struck a tree in the backyard, Fred kept on watching Springer on television. 2. I am going to go crazy if that baby doesn’t stop crying. If that baby doesn’t stop crying, I am going to go crazy. 3. The dark green Corvette disturbed the guests at the wedding when it squealed around the corner. When it squealed around the corner, the dark green Corvette disturbed the guests at the wedding. The dark green Corvette, when it squealed around the corner, disturbed the guests at the wedding. 4. The garden attracted young lovers when the vine on the arbor was in full bloom. When the vine on the arbor was in full bloom, the garden attracted young lovers. 5. Sandy’s friend Ted buys expensive French wine because he likes to impress his friends. Because he likes to impress his friends, Sandy’s friend Ted buys expensive French wine. Sandy’s friend Ted, because he likes to impress his friends, buys expensive French wine. EX ER CI SE A NSW ER KEY Exercise 10.7 1. The dependent clause beginning with the subordinator although is a fragment because it is punctuated as a complete sentence. Combining it with the preceding sentence solves the problem: Although Tracy tried to keep him in doors or on a leash, her dog ran away again. 2. The elliptical dependent clause with which the sentence begins is a dangling modifier that seems to imply that Keith is filled with gas, rather than the motorcycle. A clearer version might read, When his motorcycle is filled with gas, Keith can ride it all the way to Flagstaff without refueling. 3. The sentence begins with an elliptical dependent clause that seems to imply that the cat is nervous about singing a solo. To clarify meaning, the elliptical clause needs its subject mentioned: Although Ellen was extremely nervous about singing a solo for the panel of judges, her beloved cat Tabby seemed to offer . . . . 4. A prepositional phrase (beginning with after) is punctuated as a sentence, creating a sentence fragment. Punctuated correctly, it becomes part of the preceding sentence: Linda sliced through the tomato into her finger after hearing her husband say, “Be careful.” 5. The introductory subordinate clause is a dangling modifier, seeming to describe Helen and Vanessa as having been baked in the oven. Rephrasing the dependent clause in the active voice, rather than the passive, ends the confusion: After they had baked the pizzas in the oven for 35 minutes, Helen and Vanessa decided to add more sauce. Review Exercise 1. What his wife wants = nominal (interrogative) clause, direct object of does unless he has a good reason = adverbial (subordinate) clause 2. that the piano goes in the living room = nominal (that) clause, direct object of confirmed 3. If you have patience = adverbial (subordinate) clause just before the sun comes up = adverbial (subordinate) clause 4. when the project report was due = nominal (interrogative) clause, direct object of knew why we had to do it = nominal (interrogative) clause, direct object of knew 5. whose mother had known George Bernard Shaw = adjectival (relative) clause, modifying woman 6. that finally ended the long period of expansion = adjectival (relative) clause, modifying event what we now call the Great Depression = nominal (interrogative) clause, subject complement 7. that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light = nominal (that) clause, appositive of principle. 8. that they were not allowed to use computers to write their exams = nominal (that) clause, complement to adjective absurd 9. why we are experiencing an increasing interest in meteors = nominal (interrogative) clause, direct object of wonder when the threat they pose is extremely small = adverbial (subordinate) clause 10. Kate wanted to visit again and again = adjectival (relative) clause with relative pronoun that deleted, modifies place where she had first met Pierre = adjectival (relative) clause, modifies Eiffel Tower