Study guide: Relative Clauses, Progressive Verbs and Modals
Apply use a relative word, recognize progressive time, read a modal’s meaning, identify a prepositional phrase using supplied texts and original responses.
Ideas to explain in your own words
- A relative word can introduce a clause adding information to a noun. Who refers to a person, whose to possession, where to a place and when to a time.
- Progressive verb phrases describe ongoing action using a form of be plus -ing. Was walking is ongoing past; is walking ongoing present; will be walking ongoing future.
- Modal helpers such as can, may, must and might modify a main verb. Meaning depends on context; here can marks ability, may granted permission, must a requirement and might possibility.
- A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes its object. It can show where, when, with whom or toward what something happens.
Useful vocabulary
- Use a relative word
- A relative word can introduce a clause adding information to a noun. Who refers to a person, whose to possession, where to a place and when to a time.
- Recognize progressive time
- Progressive verb phrases describe ongoing action using a form of be plus -ing. Was walking is ongoing past; is walking ongoing present; will be walking ongoing future.
- Read a modal’s meaning
- Modal helpers such as can, may, must and might modify a main verb. Meaning depends on context; here can marks ability, may granted permission, must a requirement and might possibility.
- Identify a prepositional phrase
- A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes its object. It can show where, when, with whom or toward what something happens.
Watch your reasoning
- Who is not the same as whose.
- Walked alone is simple past, not progressive.
- Can may have other meanings in other contexts.
- With Lea names accompaniment, not a place.
A worked review example
Blank: the teacher ___ reads, person. Time: ongoing yesterday. Modal: can swim, has the ability. Phrase: under the table. Use a relative word: The relevant input states: Blank: the teacher ___ reads, person. This fits who. A relative word can introduce a clause adding information to a noun. Who refers to a person, whose to possession, where to a place and when to a time. Who is not the same as whose. Recognize progressive time: The relevant input states: Time: ongoing yesterday. This fits was walking. Progressive verb phrases describe ongoing action using a form of be plus -ing. Was walking is ongoing past; is walking ongoing present; will be walking ongoing future. Walked alone is simple past, not progressive. Read a modal’s meaning: The relevant input states: Modal: can swim, has the ability. This fits ability. Modal helpers such as can, may, must and might modify a main verb. Meaning depends on context; here can marks ability, may granted permission, must a requirement and might possibility. Can may have other meanings in other contexts. Identify a prepositional phrase: The relevant input states: Phrase: under the table. This fits location. A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and includes its object. It can show where, when, with whom or toward what something happens. With Lea names accompaniment, not a place.
Make a practice plan
- Practice use a relative word: Identify whether the blank connects a person, possession, place or time. Insert the word and read the complete clause.
- Practice recognize progressive time: Use the stated time and continuing-action requirement. Keep the helping verb with walking.
- Practice read a modal’s meaning: Read the stated situation with the modal. Explain what it allows, requires or leaves uncertain.
- Practice identify a prepositional phrase: Read the complete phrase, including its object, and identify the relation it adds to the sentence.
- Try the new review before opening its answer. Return to the related lesson if you want more help.