Grammar Explanation: Descriptive PhrasesPages 262-266

Some adjective clauses can be shortened to descriptive phrases.

We can shorten and adjective clause in which the relative pronoun is followed by the verb to be.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

• People who are unhappy about the amount of spam they receive should write their lawmakers.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• People unhappy about the amount of spam they receive should write their lawmakers.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

• Pierre Omidyar, who is the founder of e-Bay, is one of the richest men in the world.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• Pierre Omidyar, the founder of e-Bay, is one of the richest men in the world.

A descriptive phrase can begin with a past participle.

This happens if you drop the relative pronoun and verb “to be” from an adjective clause in the passive voice:

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•One half of all the e-mail that is sent today is spam.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•One half of all the e-mail sent today is spam.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•There are about 78 million items that are listed on e-Bay.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•There are about 78 million items listed on e-Bay.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•There are about 78 million items that are listed on e-Bay.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•There are about 78 million items listed on e-Bay.

A descriptive phrase can begin with a present participle (-ing form).

This happens if you drop the relative pronoun and verb “to be” from an adjective clause the present or past continuous tense:

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

• A man who is living in Florida retired at the age of 37 after making millions in the spam business.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• A man living in Florida retired at the age of 37 after making millions in the spam business.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•Shoppers who are using e-Bay can locate a hard-to-find item.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• Shoppers using e-Bay can locate a hard-to-find item.

A descriptive phrase can give a definition or more information about the noun it follows.

This kind of descriptive phrase is called an appositive.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•Spam, which is unwanted e-mail, is an annoying problem.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• Spam, unwanted e-mail, is an annoying problem.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•eBay, which is an auction Web site, is very popular.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•eBay, an auction Web site, is very popular.

A descriptive phrase can begin with a preposition:

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•A man who is in Florida retired at the age of 37.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•A man in Florida retired at the age of 37.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•Pierre, who is from France, created e-Bay.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

•Pierre, from France, created e-Bay.

A descriptive phrase can be essential or nonessential:

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

• People who are unhappy about the amount of spam they receive should write their lawmakers.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• People unhappy about the amount of spam they receive should write their lawmakers.

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

• Pierre Omidyar, who is the founder of e-Bay, is one of the richest men in the world.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• Pierre Omidyar, the founder of e-Bay, is one of the richest men in the world.

However, an appositive is always non-essential:

Compare:Sentence with an adjective

clause:

•Spam, which is unwanted e-mail, is an annoying problem.

Same sentence with a descriptive phrase:

• Spam, unwanted e-mail, is an annoying problem.

Exercise 25Pages 263-264

1. Google, a popular search engine, is used by millions of people.

(You can leave out “which is.”

2. Bill Gates, one of the richest people in the world, gets spam asking him if he wants to become rich.(You can leave out “who is.”)

3. There are a lot of dishonest companies trying to take your money.

(You can leave out “which are.”)

Exercise 26Page 264

1. Google, a popular search engine, is very easy to use.

2. Have ever used Mapquest, a Web site that gives maps and directions?

Exercises 27Pages 265-266

In this exercise, you have choices about how to write the sentences!

1. Pierre Omidyar, who was born in France, wrote his first computer program at age 14.ORPierre Omidyar, born in France, wrote his first computer program at age 14.

2. BusinessWeek, which is a popular business magazine, named Meg Whitman among the 25 most powerful business managers.ORBusinessWeek, a popular business magazine, named Meg Whitman among the 25 most powerful business managers.