-ing Participial Phrases with by

Instructions: Complete the following sentences with a participial phrase. Use the cues in parentheses and add any other words that are needed or that fit the context.

1. (suspects, phones, wiretap) ______________________________, federal agents were able to gain critical information that allowed them to prevent the terrorist attack.

2. (sleep, play, time, sacrifice) ______________________________, the students were able to complete their research papers on time.

3. (penalties, stiff, impose) ________________________________,the government has been able to get factories to reduce their annual output of pollutants.

4. (diet, watch, sleep, get) _________________________________, John has been able to stay in good health.

5. (blonde wig, dark glasses, wear) __________________________, the killer left the country without being identified by local police.

Complex Structures as Sentence Subjects

Instructions: Each item contains two sentences. Using the cues provided, combine the two sentences into one sentence by using either a noun clause or a gerund structure as the subject of the new sentence. You may need to make additional changes to the original sentences.

1. Many people in the US work two or more jobs. This is necessary for survival in the current economy.

Working __________________________________________________.

2. There is more matter than anti-matter in the universe. This remains a mystery.

Why ______________________________________________________.

3. An increasing number of parents raise children who have mental disabilities. This is not easy.

Raising _________________________________________.

4. Children manage to learn languages. This is fascinating to linguists.

How ____________________________________________.

5. Many people sleep for fewer than six hours every night. This can negatively impact overall health.

Sleeping _________________________________________.