These exercises are designed to help you master detached constructions in English — participial phrases, absolute constructions, and appositives — as covered in the course. Work through each activity to sharpen your precision and stylistic range.
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Exercice 1 — Completing Detached Constructions
Fill in each blank with the appropriate participial phrase, absolute construction, or appositive to complete the sentence correctly.
- ___ by the sudden change in policy, the board members demanded an immediate explanation.
- The negotiations concluded, ___ the two delegations returned to their respective capitals.
- She handed the report to her manager, ___, a seasoned analyst with thirty years of experience.
- ___ all available evidence, the committee was still unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Correction
- Alarmed by the sudden change in policy, the board members demanded an immediate explanation.
- The negotiations concluded, the two delegations returned to their respective capitals.
- She handed the report to her manager, a seasoned analyst with thirty years of experience.
- Having reviewed all available evidence, the committee was still unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
Exercice 2 — Identifying and Correcting Errors in Detached Constructions
Each sentence contains one error in the use of a detached construction. Rewrite the sentence correctly.
- Walking down the street, the rain began to fall heavily on us.
- His application having been rejected, he decided to reapplying for a different position.
- The CEO, founded the company in 1998, announced her retirement last Thursday.
- Exhausted from the long journey, the hotel room felt like a welcome refuge to them.
Correction
- Walking down the street, we were caught in heavy rain.
- His application having been rejected, he decided to apply for a different position.
- The CEO, who founded the company in 1998, announced her retirement last Thursday.
- Exhausted from the long journey, they found the hotel room a welcome refuge.
Exercice 3 — Choosing the Correct Detached Construction
Choose the option that best completes each sentence using an appropriate and grammatically correct detached construction.
- ___, the architect unveiled her most ambitious design to date.
- The treaty signed, ___.
- The professor introduced Dr. Rao, ___.
- ___, the rescue team pressed on through the night.
Correction
- Having spent years refining her vision, the architect unveiled her most ambitious design to date.
- The treaty signed, both nations began a new era of cooperation.
- The professor introduced Dr. Rao, a leading authority on post-colonial literature.
- Undeterred by the deteriorating weather conditions, the rescue team pressed on through the night.
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