NOUN CLAUSE TO
PHRASE REDUCTION
INFINITIVE PHRASE
M E E T I N G 13
Reduction of That Clauses in the
Subjunctive Mood
EXPLANATIONS NOUN CLAUSES INFINITIVE PHRASES
Sentences with anticipatory
It's important that you call.
it + adjective + noun clause It's important for you to call. It was
It was essential that he have
can be reduced to infinitive essential for him to have the money.
the money.
phrases.
Sentences with the
following verbs of request I'll advise that he call right
I'll advise him to call right away. He
can also be reduced to away. He urged that I see a
urged me to see a lawyer.
infinitives: advise, ask, lawyer.
command, require, urge.
Reduction of Indirect Commands, Request,
and Embedded Questions
Commands can be reduced to infinitive phrases in reported speech. The infinitive phrase expresses the
same meaning as should + verb.
Explanations Commands Reported speech Infinitive phrases
The verb say does not take a noun Stop it! She said that we should She said to stop it.
or pronoun before either a noun stop it.
clause or an infinitive.
The verb tell must be followed by a Finish the work She told us that we She told us to finish the
noun or pronoun (as an indirect should finish the work. work.
object). The direct object (a noun She told us that we
clause or an infinitive) follows the Do agood job. should do a good job. She told us to do a good
indirect object. job.
Reduction of Request for Action and
Permission
Explanations Requests Reported speech Infinitive phrases
Request for Action
The indirect object must be Will you help me? She asked (me) if I could help She asked me to help her.
used with the infinitive her.
phrase. Could you lend me $5? She asked (me) whether I She asked me to lend her $5.
could lend her $5.
Request for Permission
Requests with May I..., Could I. Could I leave early? John asked (me) if he could John asked to leave early.
and Can I. can also be reduced leave early.
to infinitive phrases, but no
indirect object is used.
Reduction of Embedded Question
Explanations Questions Embedded Questions Infinitive phrases
Yes / No Questions
In reduced yes /no questions, Should I come early? Jay asked if he should come Jay asked whether to come
whether (or not) is always early. early.
used in an infinitive phrase.
Information Questions
With embedded information Which pages should I read? I asked (her) which pages I I asked (her) which pages to
questions, a question word should read. read.
(what, when, which, etc.) is
always used with the infinitive
phrase.
Exercise
Decision making is another area where many Japanese companies have used effective strategies. Through participating in
decision making, workers feel more responsibility for their work. This, in turn, reduces the stress that comes from feeling
insecure in a position. In the following sentences, change the noun clauses to infinitive phrases. Include an indirect object
when necessary.
EXAMPLE: Workers around the world are asking that their employers give them more power.
Workers around the world are asking their employers to give them more power.
1. Workers have asked that management allow them to participate in major decisions.
2. Negotiators have advised that management give workers more responsibility.
3. Workers have urged that companies reward employees for suggesting improvements.
4. Workers have asked that management allow them to do more of their work at home.
5. Workers have urged that management meet regularly with employees.
6. Negotiators have advised that management treat employees with respect.
7. Workers have asked that management consider dramatic changes.
THANK
YOU
