LESSON 11
STRUCTURE: PAST PARTICIPLE
Past participles can cause confusion in the Structure section of the TOEFL test because a past participle can be either an adjective or a part of the verb. The past participle is the form of the verb that appears with have or be. It often ends in -ed, but there are also many irregular past participles in English.
The mailman has left a letter in the mailbox. (Left is VERB)
The classes were taught by Professor Smith. (Taught is VERB)
In the first sentence, the past participle left is part of the verb because it is accompanied by has. In the second sentence, the past participle taught is part of the verb because it is accompanied by were.
A past participle is an adjective when it is not accompanied by some form of be or have.
The letter left in the mailbox was for me. (Left is ADJECTIVE)
The classes taught by Professor Smith were very interesting. (Taught is ADJECTIVE)
In the first sentence, left is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, was, later in the sentence). In the second sentence, taught is an adjective rather than a verb because it is not accompanied by a form of be or have (and there is a verb, were, later in the sentence).
The following example shows how a past participle can be confused with the verb in the Structure section of the TOEFL test.
Example
The bread _____ baked this morning smelled delicious. (A) has
In this example, if you look only at the first few words of the sentence, it appears that bread is the subject and baked is either a complete verb or a past participle that needs a helping verb. But if you look further in the sentence, you will see the verb smelled. You will then recognize that baked is a participial adjective and is therefore not part of the verb. Answers (A) and (B) are incorrect because baked is an adjective and does not need a helping verb such as has or was. Answer (C) is incorrect because there is no need for the subject it. Answer (D) is the best answer to this question.
EXERCISE: Each of the following sentences contains one or more past participles. Underline the subjects once and the verbs twice. Circle the past participles, and label them as adjectives or verbs. Then indicate if the sentences are correct (C) or incorrect (I).
1. The food is served in this restaurant is delicious. ( ) Analysis:
The sentence should be "The food served in this restaurant is delicious".
is served is incorrect, it should be served (past participle as an Adjective).
Subject is The food and Verb is IS
2. The plane landed on the deserted runway. ( ) Analysis:
Subject is The place and Verb is landed Deserted is past participle as an adjective
3. The unexpected guests arrived just at dinnertime. ( ) Analysis:
Subject is unexpected guests and Verb is arrived Unexpected is past participle as an adjective
4. The courses are listed in the catalogue are required courses. ( ) Analysis:
The sentence should be The course listed in the dialogue are required courses.
are listed is inccorect, but it should be listed (be past participle as an
6. The small apartment very crowded and disorganized. ( ) Analysis
Subject is the small apartment but there is no Verb
The sentence should be The small apartment is very crowded and disorganized.
Crowded and disorganized are past participle as adjectives.
7. The photographs developed yesterday showed Sam and his friends. ( ) Analysis:
Subject is The photograph and Verb is showed Developed is past participle as adjective
8. The locked drawer contained the unworn jewels. ( ) Analysis:
Subject is the locked drawer and Verb is contained Locked and unworn are past participle as adjectives
9. The tree was blown over in the storm was cut into logs. ( ) Analysis:
The sentence should be The tree blown over in the storm was cut into logs
was blown should be blown (past participle as adjective) Subject is The tree and verb is was cut
10. The students registered in this course are listed on that sheet of paper. ( )
Analysis:
WRITTEN EXPRESSION
:
PARALLEL STRUCTURE WITH COORDINATE CONNECTORThe job of the coordinate conjunctions (and, but, or) is to join together equal expressions. IInnootthheerrwwoorrdds, what is on one side of these s words must be parallel to what is on the other side. These conjunctions can join nouns, or verbs, or aaddjjeeccttiivvees, or s pphhrraassees, or clauses; they just s must join together the same structures. Here are examples of equal structures correctly joined by coordinate conjunctions:
He discussed the problem with the nurse and the doctor
The professor was knowledgeable but boring
She hikes, jogs, or rides her bicycle whenever she can.
There are meetings in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening
You can do the work because you want to do it or because you have to do it
The sentences that follow show the types of errors in parallel structure that are common on the TOEFL test.
The evening dress was beauty* but expensive.
The student reads each chapter, takes a lot of notes, and memories* the material.
In the first example, the coordinate conjunction but joins the noun beauty and the aaddjjeeccttiivve expensive. The adjective e bbeeaauuttiiffuul is needed in l place of beauty. In the second example, the coordinate conjunction and joins the verb reads, the verb takes, and the plural noun memories. The verb memorizes is needed in place of memories.
The following chart outlines the use of parallel structures with coordinate con junctions.
1. The pastries in that shop are very expensive but quite deliciously. ( ) Analysis:
before BUT and after BUT must have the same structure. EXPENSIVE is adjective, but deliciously is adverb.
It should be ....very expensive but quite delicious.
2. You can find some change to buy a paper in the drawer, on top of the dresser, or in the jar. ( )
Analysis:
in the drawer, on top of the dresser, or in the jar are all in same structure (adverb).
3. The living room was decorated with expensive paintings and elegance lamps. ( ).
Analysis:
expensive (adjective) painting and elegance (noun) lamps have different structure.
It should be ....expensive painting and elegant lamps.
4. He knew that the financial problems were serious, that the situation was not going to improve, and that he needed to get a job.
Analysis:
...that the situation was not going to improve and that he needs to get a job have the same structure. Both sentences are clauses. 5. All day long during the trip to the mmoouunnttaaiinnss, they were skiing,
sledding, or played in the snow. ( ) Analysis:
...skiing, sledding, or played..... It should be ..skiing, sledding, or playing.
6. The car needs new tires but not a new engine. ( ) Analysis:
7. He stops working when he gets too tired to continue or when he has finished. ( )
Analysis:
...when he gets too tired to continue (clause) or when he has finished (clause).
8. To get to the office, you should go through this door, turn to the left, and continuation down the hall. ( )
Analysis:
...go (verb) through this door, turn (verb) to the left, and continuation (noun) down the hall.
It should be "...go..., turn, and continue,,,,,,,"
9. For dessert we could serve lemon pie, fruit tarts, chocolate cake, or butter cookies.( )
Analysis:
....lemon pie, fruit tarts, chocolate cake and butter cookies are all phrases.
10. The sick child needs some medicine, some juice, and to rest. ( ) Analysis:
some medicine, some juice and to rest.
