(A) NO CHANGE (B) the barn and shed were destroyed by a fire (C) the barn and shed burning down

step 1 Okay, so the question we're looking at here is number 11. The sentence we get to mess with is th

(A) NO CHANGE (B) the barn and shed were destroyed by a fire...

Key Concepts

Conciseness and Clarity

This concept involves the revision of sentences to convey ideas in a more direct and straightforward manner by eliminating unnecessary words or complex constructions. In sentence improvements, ensuring that every word serves a purpose makes the meaning clear and the sentence easier to read.

Active vs. Passive Voice

Understanding the difference between active and passive constructions is essential in determining a sentence’s effectiveness. Active voice typically provides a clearer, more dynamic expression by showing the subject performing the action, whereas passive voice emphasizes the action itself, which can lead to ambiguity or wordiness.

Participial Phrases and Reduced Relative Clauses

This concept pertains to the use of participial phrases as a method for shortening sentences without losing meaning. By reducing relative clauses, writers can maintain clarity and reduce redundancy, creating sentences that are both concise and engaging.

Transcript

00:01 Okay, so the question we're looking at here is number 11.

00:04 The sentence we get to mess with is this.

00:07 In 1852, a fire destroyed the barn and shed that were connected to the house.

00:12 So what's changing between the no change and all the answer choices? it looks like it's just the arrangement of things.

00:18 A fire destroyed the barn and shed.

00:20 The barn and said were destroyed by a fire, barn and shed burning down, fire destroying the barn and shed.

00:24 All the ideas are the same.

00:26 There's no punctuation that's changing.

00:28 It just has to do with the arrangement.

00:31 One thing i noticed straight off the bat is some of these contain verbs and others don't.

00:37 For example, the original, a fire destroyed the barn and shed.

00:42 We have a subject, the fire.

00:45 We have a verb destroyed.

00:49 And then we have the object.

00:51 What did they destroy? or what did it destroy the fire? it destroyed the barn and shed.

00:55 So this construction is working pretty well.

00:58 A fire destroyed the barn and shed, and then what comes after is some extra information that we're connected to the house.

01:05 So i have a subject and a verb and an object, which is all great.

01:11 I notice in c and d, all of a sudden i don't have a verb anymore.

01:17 C says in 1852, the barn and shed burning down.

01:21 You wouldn't say the fire and shed burning down.

01:24 You would say the fire and shed burned down or burned past tense down.

01:30 Burning is never a good enough verb, an i -n -g word is never a good enough verb, unless it's accompanied by is, is burning, was burning, were burning, had been burning.

01:40 But by themselves, these are never strong enough verbs.

01:43 The same is true of d, a fire destroying the barn and shed.

01:47 Same issue.

01:48 I -n -g verb is not strong enough.

01:50 So i'll get rid of c and d because i'm missing the essential verb.

01:55 B has destroyed, so that's all good...

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