Grade 9 · Reading

9th grade Use phrases and clauses to say it better worksheet

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Use phrases and clauses to say it better

Grade 9 Reading Worksheet

NameDate

Circle the best answer.

1.
[1] The harbor pilots studied the tide tables. [2] The pilots guided the freighter out before dawn. Ari combines two sentences with a participial phrase that begins “Having studied.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- Having studied the tide charts, the harbor pilots guided the freighter out before dawn.
- Having studied the tide tables, the harbor pilots guided the freighter out before dawn.
- The harbor pilots studied the tide tables, they guided the freighter out before dawn.
- Having studied the tide tables, the freighter was guided out by the harbor pilots before dawn.
2.
[1] The tide was rising. [2] The pilots eased the barge into the channel. Bo combines two sentences with an absolute phrase built on “the tide.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- The tide was rising, the pilots eased the barge into the channel.
- The tide rising, the pilots eased the barge into the channel.
- Rising with the tide, the pilots eased the barge into the channel.
- The tide rising. The pilots eased the barge into the channel.
3.
[1] A storm stranded the delegation in Lisbon. [2] The delegation booked seats on a train to Madrid. Jun combines two sentences with a participial phrase that begins “Stranded.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- Stranded in Lisbon by a storm, the delegation booked seats on a train to Madrid.
- A storm stranded the delegation in Lisbon, the delegation booked seats on a train to Madrid.
- Stranded in Madrid by a storm, the delegation booked seats on a train to Lisbon.
- Stranded in Lisbon by a storm, seats on a train to Madrid were booked.
4.
[1] Mr. Osei stood at the podium. [2] His notes were spread before him. Kira combines two sentences with an absolute phrase built on “his notes.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- Mr. Osei stood at the podium, his notes were spread before him.
- Spread before him, Mr. Osei stood at the podium.
- Mr. Osei stood at the podium. His notes spread before him.
- Mr. Osei stood at the podium, his notes spread before him.
5.
[1] The new schedule adds a period of tutoring. [2] The schedule shortens lunch by ten minutes. Luz combines two sentences. The writer wants readers to remember the cost. Which sentence puts that idea in the main clause?
- The new schedule adds a period of tutoring, it shortens lunch by ten minutes.
- Although the new schedule shortens lunch by ten minutes, it adds a period of tutoring.
- Although the new schedule adds a period of tutoring. It shortens lunch by ten minutes.
- Although the new schedule adds a period of tutoring, it shortens lunch by ten minutes.
6.
[1] Dr. Chen examined the sample under a microscope. [2] She noticed an unusual crystal pattern. Milo combines two sentences with a participial phrase that begins “Examining.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- Examining the sample under a telescope, Dr. Chen noticed an unusual crystal pattern.
- Dr. Chen examined the sample under a microscope, she noticed an unusual crystal pattern.
- Examining the sample under a microscope, an unusual crystal pattern was noticed.
- Examining the sample under a microscope, Dr. Chen noticed an unusual crystal pattern.
7.
[1] The bridge was closed for repairs. [2] The commuters took the long way around. Noah combines two sentences with an absolute phrase built on “the bridge.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- Closed for repairs, the commuters took the long way around.
- The bridge being closed for repairs. The commuters took the long way around.
- The bridge was closed for repairs, the commuters took the long way around.
- The bridge closed for repairs, the commuters took the long way around.
8.
[1] The museum's budget was cut by a third. [2] The museum opened a new wing. Pia combines two sentences. The writer wants readers to remember the new wing. Which sentence puts that idea in the main clause?
- Although the museum opened a new wing, its budget was cut by a third.
- Although its budget was cut by a third. The museum opened a new wing.
- Although its budget was cut by a third, the museum opened a new wing.
- Cut by a third, a new wing was opened by the museum.
9.
[1] The final bell rang. [2] The students rushed for the exits. Tala combines two sentences with an absolute phrase built on “the final bell.” Which sentence is correct and keeps every detail?
- The final bell rang, the students rushed for the exits.
- Ringing at last, the students rushed for the exits.
- The final bell having rung. The students rushed for the exits.
- The final bell having rung, the students rushed for the exits.
10.
[1] Ms. Garza coaches the robotics team. [2] Ms. Garza won the state teaching award. Zee combines two sentences with a relative clause. The writer wants readers to remember the award. Which sentence puts that idea in the main clause?
- Ms. Garza coaches the robotics team, she won the state teaching award.
- Ms. Garza, who coaches the robotics team, won the state teaching award.
- Coaching the robotics team, the state teaching award was won by Ms. Garza.
- Ms. Garza, who won the state teaching award, coaches the robotics team.

9th grade Use phrases and clauses to say it better worksheet – printable — Print: 1 2 3 4 5 6

About this worksheet

Use phrases and clauses to say it better. Every version has 10 questions, and the answer key prints on the second page.

What your child will learn

I can bracket an appositive, a participial phrase, an absolute phrase or a relative clause and draw its arrow to the word or clause it tells about.
I can combine sentences with a named phrase or clause so the opening phrase points at the right noun and nothing is a comma splice or a fragment.
I can choose where an idea goes (main clause or phrase) and which group to use, so the sentence stresses what the writer wants.

Words to know

appositive: A noun phrase beside a noun that renames it (Dr. Patel, *an astronomer*, …)

participial phrase: A group built on an -ing or -ed word that describes a noun (*Stacked by the door*, the coats …)

absolute phrase: A noun plus an -ing or -ed word that tells about the whole clause (*Its sail hanging loose*, the boat …)

relative clause: A clause starting with who, whose, which or that that describes a noun

main clause: The part of the sentence that could stand alone; it carries the idea the sentence stresses

dangling modifier: An opening phrase whose noun after the comma is not the one doing the action

comma splice / fragment: Two full sentences joined by a comma alone / a group that cannot stand alone but ends with a period

Common mistakes

Your child called a group of words an appositive, a noun phrase that renames, when it was built another way; try asking: is this group built on a noun that renames the word beside it?

Your child called a group of words an absolute phrase when it did not have its own noun in front of the -ing or -ed word; try asking: does the group have a noun of its own?

Your child called a group of words a participial phrase when it had its own noun in front of the -ing or -ed word, or was built another way; try asking: which noun does the -ing or -ed word describe?

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with use phrases and clauses to say it better?

Your child called a group of words an appositive, a noun phrase that renames, when it was built another way; try asking: is this group built on a noun that renames the word beside it?

Are these 9th grade reading worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions at each level are free to print, with the answer key, and no account is needed.