Editing to reduce modifying phrases and clauses

Mod-24

Word groups functioning as modifiers can often be made more compact. Look for any opportunities to reduce clauses to phrases or phrases to single words.

Click Submit after each text box to see possible revisions and to submit your answers to your instructor’s gradebook. You may review your answers by returning to this activity at any time. (An activity reports to the gradebook only if your instructor has assigned it.)

See if you can spot the modifiers in the following sentences that can be deleted with little loss of meaning. Revise the sentences in the boxes below.

Question 1 of 3

1. Researchers were surprised to find very low, undetectable concentrations of fracking compounds in oil wells within a 100-foot radius of the wellheads.

Possible revision: Researchers were surprised to find undetectable concentrations of fracking compounds in oil wells within a 100-foot radius of the wellheads.

Question 2 of 3

2. Some people find it highly repugnant for dogs to accompany their owners to restaurants.

Possible revision: Some people find it repugnant for dogs to accompany their owners to restaurants.

Question 3 of 3

3. The place with the most germs on an airplane can be found on the tray table.

Possible revision: The most germs on an airplane can be found on the tray table.

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