>

All questions on English language

Grammar

What is an example of a sentence that is “a compound, complex sentence with an appositive somewhere in the sentence and includes a resumptive modifier”? Please explain.

-Please explain what is an resumptive modifier

Answers
"I like to watch romantic movies but my best friend Jane likes horror movies, movies that make her jump are her favourite because she finds them funny."So let's start with the construction of a compund-complex sentence. A compound, complex sentence must contain at least 2 independent clauses (clauses that make sense on their own) and at least 1 dependent clause (a clause that doesn't make sense on its own). In the example sentence we have 3 independent clauses and 1 dependent clause:"I like to watch romantic movies but my best friend Jane likes horror movies, movies that make her jump are her favourite because she finds them funny."The clauses in bold are independent clauses because they make sense individually.The underlined clause is dependent becuase it doesn't make sense without the rest of the sentence.Next, an appositive phrase is a noun or noun phrase that re-names a noun/ noun-phrase just before it to give it more detail. In the example sentence the appositive phrase is "my best friend Jane" because the proper noun, "Jane" is re-naming the noun-phrase "my best friend". This gives us more detail about the best friend because we now know her name.Finally, a resumptive modifier picks up a work or phrase from a sentence that seems finished and repeats it in order to extend the sentence and give it more detail. In the example sentence, the resumptive modifier is "... my best friend Jane likes horror movies, movies that make her jump are her favourite because she finds them funny." By picking up and repeating 'movies' the use of a resumptive modifier extends the sentence and gives the reader more information about Jane's movie preferences.I really hope this helps you. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.Best Wishes,Angharad
Angharad D.
08 March 2019
How would  make the following sentence:“A sentence with two appositives for the same name. Make each appositive complex (each appositive must contain a subordinate clause)”
didemhaifa
09 March 2019
How would   I make the following sentence: “A sentence with a single complex appositive. (This is the complex part: The subordinate clause nested within your appositive must have a triple predicate with each predicate consisting of a transitive verb, a direct object, and either participial or infinitive phrases) (hint: your phrases could be the direct objects).” Can someone help me create this sentence and explain it as well. :) 
didemhaifa
09 March 2019
In English grammar, a resumptive modifier is a modifier that repeats a key word (usually at or near the end of a main clause) and then adds informative or descriptive details related to that word.The computer, sleek and white, was not working - a computer from Apple no less.
Joe B.
12 March 2019
>
Add an answer

Similar questions

Grammar

Complete the blanks with the Past Simple, Past Progressive, Past Perfect Simple or Past Perfect Progressive of the verbs in brackets.

1) Last year I .....(go) on an exciting safari holiday in Namibia with my husband. 2) I remember it ....(rain) continously for several days in Brussels before we ....(leave), so I couldn't wait to board the plane which ....(head) for sunnier climes. 3) Our safari holiday ....(be) unique in that, unlike many other safari holidays, the aim was not just to show a bunch of tourists some wild animals; while on holiday we would be volunteering at a conservation centre. 4) Our first night in the bush, while the biologists ....(entertain) everyone with tales, I ....(sit) back and ....(gaze) at the patterns made by the stars. 5) At one stage I ....(get) up to stretch when all of a sudden I ....(see) a huge creature nestled on my husband's shoulder; I ....(let) out an embarrassing squek of fear. 6) Apparently it was just a stick insect. Not like any stick insect I ....(ever/see); it was as big as my forearm. 7) The next day we ....(set) off early; our task was to make a note of any wildlife we saw. 8) While we .... (walk) through the thick forest, we ....(hear) birds and monkeys chattering in the trees. However after three hours, the novelty ....(wear) off, and I was exhausted. 9) And then I ....(see) it. A deer ....(stand) under a tree just a few metres away from me; I proudly ....(make) a note on my pad. 10) The next day, while we ....(travel) to a nearby village, we ....(spot) a herd of elephants crossing the road. 11) All too quickly our two weeks in Namibia ....(draw) to a close and we .... (find) ourselves back at home. 12) Altough we were a little sad, we both felt a tremendous sense of satisfaction as we ....(not only/visit) a beautiful part of the world, but we ....(also/make) our own small positive contribution.

What is an Active Verb?


What is an active and passive verb?

In order to understand active and passive verbs, let’s first define what a verb is. Take a look at the table below for the standard definition of a verb. action_verbs  

Definition Examples
Verb Expresses an action or state that usually relates two things To run, to walk, to swim, to laugh, to have

  As you can see, verbs can sometimes make up the bulk of our dialogue. In the English language, verb conjugation is pretty simple in comparison to other languages. Compare the conjugation of the verb ‘to run’ in English versus french.  

French English
I (je) cours run
You (tu) cours run
She/he (elle/il) court runs
We (nous) courons run
They (elles, ils) courent run

  When we talk about active and passive verbs, then, we’re not really talking too much about the conjugation of the verb. Instead, it is dependent on what the subject in the sentence is doing. Take a look at the definition of active verbs below.  

Definition Subject
Active verb When the subject of the verb is performing the action Who or what the sentence is about (performing action verbs)

  Now that we’ve covered an active verbs definition, let’s take a look at some active verbs examples. action_voice   Let’s take a look at passive verbs definition:  

Definition Subject
Passive verb When the subject is being put through the verb action Who or what is receiving the action of the verb

  Let’s take a look at some examples of passive verbs.  

How do you know if a verb is active or passive?

One easy way to spot the difference between an active and passive verb is to understand whether the speaker is taking an active or passive tone. Now that you understand what is and active and passive verb, let’s take a look at the definitions of an active and passive voice below.  

Definition Subject
Active voice Uses an active form of verbs Subject is performing an action
Passive voice Uses a passive form of verbs Subject is receiving the action from the verb

  As you can see, when a speaker is using passive verbs, they are employing a passive voice. Let’s take a look at an example of a passive voice. passive_voice_verbs Here, we can break down each section as an example to see why the voice is passive or active.  

Subject Passive verb
The time was marked by the clock The time Was marked
If the test was taken before twelve The test Was taken
The grade would be counted The grade Would be

  Let’s take a look at an example of an active voice. active_voice_verbs Again, breaking down each section gives us more clarity on why this voice is an active one.  

Subject Active verb
The clock marks the time The clock marks
If they take the test before twelve They take
The grade counts The grade counts

 

What is an active verb example?

Let’s break down an example of an active verb. Remember that an active verb is used when the subject of the sentence is performing the verb. Let’s take a look at some examples. Try your best to break down each example and decide whether or not they are using an active verb or passive verb.  

Sentence Active Verb?
Example 1 Your grandma made the pierogies? ?
Example 2 The tornado destroyed much of what was left. ?
Example 3 I wanted to go, but I was busy. ?

  Let’s take a look at the answers, as well as an explanation for why.  

Sentence Active Verb? Subject Verb Performed by Subject
Example 1 Your grandma made the pierogies? Yes Grandma made
Example 2 The tornado destroyed much of what was left. Yes Tornado destroyed
Example 3 I wanted to go, but I was busy. Yes I wanted, was

  When you use active verbs, you are using an active voice. Active voices are usually used in essays and in day-to-day life. active_voice  

What is a passive verb example?

Now that we’ve looked at some examples of active verbs, let’s turn to look at passive verb examples. Recall that when we have a passive verb, the subject of the sentence is having the verb performed onto them. Looking at the examples below, try to identify which are passive verbs.  

Sentence Active Verb?
Example 1 The pizza was burned by the oven. ?
Example 2 Trains are driven by train conductors. ?
Example 3 You were gone by evening. ?

  Let’s take a look at the answers, as well as an explanation for why.  

Sentence Active Verb? Subject Subject Receiving Verb’s Action Received from
Example 1 The pizza was burned by the oven. Yes Pizza Was burned Oven
Example 2 Trains are driven by train conductors. Yes Trains Are driven Train conductors
Example 3 You were gone by evening. No - - -

When you use passive verbs, you are using a passive voice. Passive voices shouldn’t be used in essays. They are, however, often used in journalism. Listen to the news and you should find plenty of examples of sentences with passive verbs. passive_verbs  

Why are passive verbs used?

There are many different reasons why passive verbs are used. When you’re writing in any academic setting, active verbs are usually encouraged because they produce an active voice. However, there are some instances where you might want to use passive verbs.   Take a look at some of the reasons why you might prefer to use passive verbs overactive verbs. Along with each reason, you will find an example.  

Reason Example How
Focus on subject who is receiving the action rather than who is doing the action Glass is made by melting down and chemically altering sand. We don’t focus here on who made the glass but how it is made.
Avoid stating irrelevant information. The car was designed to withstand lightning strikes. We don’t care who made the car but rather it’s features.
Avoid repeating information The impact of the study is discussed in the conclusion. The author is discussing it, so it is not worth repeating.
Taking on an academic/professional tone The sample was taken from a representative group. We don’t have to use personal pronouns (we, I, etc.)