The Printable KISS Grammar Workbooks The KISS Workbooks Anthology
(Code and Color Key)

From Main Clause to Subordinate to Gerundive
Based on The Queen of the Pirate Isle, by Bret Harte
Illustrated by Kate Greenaway
Analysis Key

1. She could see the far off cloud (DO) {of dust}. | It was following the mountain stage coach (DO). |

SC: She could see the far off cloud of dust [Adj. to "cloud" and/or "dust" that was following the mountain stage coach]. |

Gerundive: She could see the far off cloud of dust following the mountain stage coach. |

2. Five minutes [NuA] later the tunnel men {of the Excelsior mine}, were, a mile [NuA] below, taking their luncheon (DO) {on the rude platform} {of débris} {before their tunnel}. | They were suddenly driven (P) to shelter [#1] {in the tunnel} {from an apparent rain} {of stones, and rocks, and pebbles}, {from the cliffs above}. |
SC: Five minutes later the tunnel men of the Excelsior mine, [Adj. to "men" who were, a mile below, taking their luncheon on the rude platform of débris before their tunnel], were suddenly driven to shelter in the tunnel from an apparent rain of stones, and rocks, and pebbles, from the cliffs above. |

Gerundive: Five minutes later the tunnel men of the Excelsior mine, a mile below, taking their luncheon on the rude platform of débris before their tunnel, were suddenly driven to shelter in the tunnel from an apparent rain of stones, and rocks, and pebbles, from the cliffs above. |

3. The "slide" was simply a sharp incline (PN). | It went zigzagging [#2] {down the side} {of the mountain}, | and it was used (P) {for sliding goods and provisions [#3] } {from the summit} {to the tunnel men} {at the different openings below}. |
SC: The "slide" was simply a sharp incline [Adj. to "incline" that went zigzagging down the side of the mountain and was used for sliding goods and provisions from the summit to the tunnel men at the different openings below]. |

Gerundive: The "slide" was simply a sharp incline zigzagging down the side of the mountain and used for sliding goods and provisions from the summit to the tunnel men at the different openings below. |

4. They seized each other's hands (DO) and swung them (DO) backwards and forwards. | They occasionally lifted their legs (DO) {in a solemn rhythmic movement} known [#4] only {to childhood}. |
SC: They seized each other's hands and swung them backwards and forwards, [Adv. to "swung" while they occasionally lifted their legs in a solemn rhythmic movement known only to childhood]. |

Gerundive: They seized each other's hands and swung them backwards and forwards, occasionally lifting their legs in a solemn rhythmic movement known only to childhood. |

5. He had been wildly swimming {for his life} and carrying Polly (DO) {on his back}, | but he eventually reached a Desert Island (DO) {in the closet}. |
SC: [Adv. to "reached" Although he had been wildly swimming for his life and carrying Polly on his back], he eventually reached a Desert Island in the closet. |

Gerundive: Wildly swimming for his life and carrying Polly on his back, he eventually reached a Desert Island in the closet. |

Notes
1. If we consider "shelter" a verb (and not a noun), then "to shelter" is an infinitive that functions as a retained direct object after the passive "were driven." See KISS Level 5.7 - Passive Voice and Retained Complements.
2. See KISS Level 2.1.4 - Palimpsest Patterns. In this case, "went" is written over "was."
3. "Goods" and "provisions" are direct objects of the gerund "sliding." The gerund phrase (plus its modifiers) functions as the object of "for."
4. "Known" is a gerundive to "movement."