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Combining Sentences using Modifiers

You can combine sentences with modifiers (words that describe ). Modifiers can either 

 be essential to the meaning of the sentence, or they can be nonessential to the sentence,

meaning they only add color to or enliven the sentence.For example: 1. The dancer gave a remarkably graceful, skillful performance.

(The words in bold are essential parts of the main sentence.)

2.  The dancer’s performance, remarkably and graceful and skillful,received tremendous applause. (The words in bold are not essential to

the sentence.)

Write two developed sentences for each exercise. Use essential modifiers in one

sentence, nonessential modifiers in the other.Example:

Ted’s girlfriend was waiting.

She was waiting at the café.

His girlfriend was pretty.His girlfriend was charming.

She waited patiently.

Essential modifiers: Ted’s pretty, charming girlfriend was waiting patiently at the café.

 Nonessential modifiers: Ted’s girlfriend, pretty and charming, was waiting patiently at

the café.1.  The poodle came running.

The running was toward his owner.The poodle was trimmed.

The trimming was exquisite.

The poodle was perfumed.(essential) ____________________________________________________________ 

(nonessential) __________________________________________________________ 

2.  The car was parked.

The parking was near the school.

The car had been stolen.The car had been stripped.

The car was new.

 ______________________________________________________________ 

 ______________________________________________________________ 

(Adapted from: Eggers, Philip.  Process and Practice: A Guide to Basic and 

Writing ed. Illinois: Scott, Foresman/Little Brown Higher Education, 1990.)(Prepared by UTB/TSC LAC Writing Lab, N120)

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 3.  The wedding took place.

It was in a ballroom.

The wedding was large.

The wedding was planned.The planning was careful.

 __________________________________________________________________ 

4.  The sequoias towered.They were in the forest.

They towered above the other trees.

They were ancient.They were awesome.

5.  The Falcons lost.They were sad.

They were discouraged.

They lost to their rivals.They had lost to them for three consecutive years.

 __________________________________________________________________ 

 __________________________________________________________________ 

6.  The professor was young.

The professor was popular.

He gave poetry readings.

His readings fascinated students.His readings fascinated his fellow professors.

 _________________________________________________________________ 

7.  Our neighbor has a dog.

Their dog is short.

Their dog is stocky.It barks loudly.

It barks all night and all day.

 __________________________________________________________________