Clauses andSentence Structure

Language Network

Kinds of Clauses

Clauses and Sentence Structure

Here’s the IdeaIndependent ClausesSubordinate Clauses

Why It Matters

Practice and Apply

Clause

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

Here’s the Idea

CLAUSE

Your genes carry your family’s genetic history.

VERBSUBJECT

Here’s the Idea

Clauses add details.

Clauses show relationships between ideas.

Here’s the Idea

Independent Clause

An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Here’s the Idea

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Genes contain the code for your physical appearance.

Here’s the Idea

Subordinate Clause

A subordinate (or dependent) clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Here’s the Idea

Subordinate clauses are introduced by words like if, because, that, when, and since.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

because inherited genes often skip a generationbecause inherited genes often skip a generation

Here’s the Idea

By itself, a subordinate clause is a sentence fragment.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

that determines your heightthat determines your height

Here’s the Idea

For a complete thought to be expressed, a subordinate clause must be part of a sentence that contains an independent clause.

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Genes contain the code

that determines your height.

Genes contain the code

that determines your height.

Here’s the Idea

a subordinate clause accidentally written as a sentence.

Recognizing independent and subordinate clauses will help you avoid a kind of fragment:

Why It Matters

Identify the subordinate clauses that act as fragments.

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

Clasp your hands together. As the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top. This little trait is inherited.

Why It Matters

STUDENT MODEL STUDENT MODEL

To fix these fragments, join them with independent clauses.

Clasp your hands together. As the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top. This little trait is inherited.

DRAFT

Clasp your hands together as the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top, it feels wrong. This little trait is inherited.

REVISON

Why It Matters

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause.

before television was invented1.

Practice and Apply

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause.

even though I like computers2.

Practice and Apply

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause.

that you like3.

Practice and Apply

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause.

when you visit New York4.

Practice and Apply

Clauses and Sentence Structure

Adjective Clauses

Here’s the IdeaAdjective ClausesEssential Adjective ClausesNonessential Adjective Clauses

Why It Matters

Practice and Apply

Subordinate clauses can be adjective clauses.

Here’s the Idea

Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that is used as an adjective to modify a noun or a pronoun.

Here’s the Idea

NOUN

A family is more than a group of people who are related.

It was she who started our family tree.PRONOUN

What does each adjective clause modify?

Here’s the Idea

An adjective clause is introduced by a relative pronoun or by a relative adverb.

that, who, whom, whose, which

where, when, why

Here’s the Idea

An essential (or restrictive) adjective clause provides information that is necessary to identify the preceding noun or pronoun.

Essential Adjective Clause

Here’s the Idea

Someone who is your first cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt.

ESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

Here’s the Idea

A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) adjective clause adds additional information about a noun or pronoun whose meaning is already clear.

Nonessential Adjective Clause

Here’s the Idea

Irene, who is your first cousin, was married last fall.

NONESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE

Here’s the Idea

Use commas to set off a nonessential clause. The commas separate nonessential information from the main idea of the sentence.

Here’s the Idea

Adjective clauses can supply details necessary to explain, support, and connect your ideas.

Why It Matters

Adjective clauses help to avoid repetition.

STUDENT MODEL

DRAFT

The reception was held at an old hotel. The hotel looks like a castle.

Why It Matters

Join these sentences with independent clauses.

STUDENT MODEL STUDENT MODEL

The reception was held at an old hotel. The hotel looks like a castle.

DRAFT

The reception was held at an old hotel that looks like a castle.

REVISON

Why It Matters

Identify the adjective clause, along with the word or words it modifies.

People first used parachutes to jump from balloons that stayed in the air.

5.

Practice and Apply

Identify the adjective clause, along with the words it modifies.

Parachutes have large surfaces that trap a lot of air.

6.

Practice and Apply

Combine these sentences by changing the second one into an adjective clause.

Jacques and Joseph Montgolfier invented the hot-air balloon. They were brothers.

7.

Practice and Apply

Combine these sentences by changing the second one into an adjective clause.

The balloon was filled with hot air. The balloon was made of linen.

8.

Practice and Apply