San Jose City College

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  SENTENCE ESSENTIALS
  Sentences hold your thoughts. Craft them with care.

Correct or Incorrect? The understood subject of the participial phrase must be the same as the stated subject of the sentence. Are the following sentences correct or incorrect? Point at the underlined text for a hint and select correct or incorrect.

1. Slithering up the treeWere the tourists slithering up the tree or was the snake?

The sentence is correct      incorrect
, the tourists were terrified of the large snake.
2. Sneezing all through the nightWas the allergy sneezing all night or was Tom?

The sentence is
correct      incorrect
, the allergy was driving Tom crazy.
3. Coughing all night longWho was coughing all night?

The sentence is    correct     incorrect
, Tom was up three times to take cough syrup.
4.Plummeting from the sky,Were the children falling from the sky or was the plane?

The sentence is    correct     incorrect
the children were frightened when they saw the fiery plane.
5. Feeling depressed after the accidentWho felt depressed, Bob or the psychiatrist?

The sentence is
   correct    incorrect
, the psychiatrist advised Bob to take anti-depressants.
6. Having been promoted for her outstanding job performanceWho had been promoted, Ann or her husband?

The sentence is   correct    incorrect
, Ann took her husband out to dinner to celebrate.
7. Not expecting to be hired, Who didn't expect to be hired but was extremely happy to get the job?

The sentence is    correct     incorrect
Maria was thrilled when the law firm offered her the position.
8. Repairing the boat's motor,Who was repairing the motor? Whose fingers got cut off?

The sentence is    correct   incorrect
the blade whacked off two of Rick's fingers.
How could the incorrect sentences be rewritten correctly? Read good examples here. 1. Slithering up the tree, the large snake terrified the tourists.

2. Sneezing all through the night, Tom nearly went crazy with his allergy.

4. Plummeting from the sky, the fiery plane frightened the children.

5. Feeling depressed after the accident, Bob was advised to take anti-depressants by a psychiatrist.

8. Repairing the boat's motor, Rick lost two fingers when they got caught in the blade.


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