ClausesClausesComposition

ClausesClauses

A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and its subject and is used as part of a sentence.

Do not confuse phrases with clauses:◦Clauses have subjects and verbs.◦Phrases only have verbs, no subjects.

Phrase: walking to the store Clause: while I walked to the store

Independent ClausesIndependent Clauses

An independent or main clause expresses a complete thought and can be written as a separate sentence. Example◦Ms. Santana works in one of the law offices in

downtown Concord.

Subordinate ClauseSubordinate Clause

A subordinate clause, or dependent clause, does contain a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone.Examples◦The pain will be gone before you know it.

(subordinate)◦We must go because it is time.

(subordinate)

Clause or Phrase?Clause or Phrase?

Verbal phrases and subordinate clauses both contain verbs, but clauses contain subjects while phrases do not.

Tip: Look for two sentences.◦Verbal phrase: Walking to the store, I tripped.◦Clause: When I walked to the store, I tripped.

Adjective ClauseAdjective Clause

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause used as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun.◦Needs to follow the word it modifies.◦Ex: Some psychologists rely on tests that

determine specific personality types.

◦Relative pronouns/adverbs used: that, which, who, whom, whose when, where, why

Omitted PronounsOmitted Pronouns

Often, the relative pronoun in the clause is omitted. The pronoun is understood and still has a function in the clause.

Example◦Here is the cheeseburger you ordered.

(relative pronoun that is understood).

Adverb ClausesAdverb Clauses

An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. ◦Tells: how, when, where, why, or to what

extent/degree.◦Can be moved to front or end of sentence.

Ex: Al panics whenever he takes a test.

◦Subordinating Conjunctions used: after, before, unless, although, until, in order that, when,

as, if, since, whenever, as long as, so, that, whereas, soon, than, wherever, because, though, while

◦ Remember that after, before, since, until, and as may also be used as prepositions. Preposition: after the game Clause: after we go to the game

Comma UsageComma Usage

An adverb clause is set off by commas when it comes before the independent clause, but not if it comes after it.

Examples◦Even though I wanted to go, I said I

wouldn’t.◦Shannon is not happy even though he has his check.

Noun ClausesNoun Clauses

A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.

◦Conjunctions/pronouns used: how, that, when, where, whether, why, what(ever), which(ever), who(ever), whom(ever), whose

HintHint

If no introductory word is used, you can still recognize a noun clause if the clause can be replaced in the sentence by someone or something.

Example◦His mother said he could go. (that is omitted, or

understood)◦His mother said something.

Review ChartReview Chart

Can be moved in the sentence

Uses punctuation

Can be removed from the sentence

Adjective Clause Sometimes x

Adverb Clause x If used at the beginning

x

Noun Clause

Practice: Find the sub. clausePractice: Find the sub. clause

Experts disagree about what the role of birth order is in personality.

Some assert that specific inherited genes influence many personality traits.

This leads to the question of whether a child’s birth order affects his or her personality.

According to Sulloway, whoever is born first in a family identifies as an established authority.

Sentence StructureSentence StructureComposition

GoalGoal

Improve your writing by using varied sentence structures.

Simple SentencesSimple Sentences

A simple sentence consists of one independent clause and no subordinate clauses.◦TIP: Look for only one subject and very (ignoring

phrases).◦Most TV family shows idealize family life.

A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, and one or more phrases.◦Leave It To Beaver and Father Knows Best were

examples of the “ideal” American family.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined together.◦Clauses can be joined using a comma, a conjunction, a

semicolon, or a semicolon with a conjunctive adverb. Conjunctive adverbs are transitional words such as however,

therefore, consequently, furthermore, evidently, etc.◦ Ignore the conjunction – it is not part of either clause.

TV families often owned dogs, but viewers rarely saw a cat.

Housekeepers were family too; they often gave wise advice.

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.

Tip: Look for the conjunctions. ◦A 1970s sitcom called The Brady Bunch featured a

blended family that consisted of two of the original parents, three girls, and three boys.

◦Although it was not as popular as other programs at the time, the show went on to become an enduring classic.

Compound-Complex SentencesCompound-Complex Sentences

A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

Tip: Look for comma/conjunctions or semicolons. ◦On January 12, 1971, All in the Family appeared on TV,

and audiences saw a show that changed the course of TV comedy.

◦Each week the show broke new ground, and as the actors tackled one sensitive subject after another, the show quickly became the number one program on television.

Review ChartReview Chart

FANBOYS or Semicolon

Subordinating Conjunction

Simple No No

Compound Yes No

Complex No Yes

Compound-complex Yes Yes

Practice & ApplyPractice & Apply

Identify each of the following sentences: (S) simple, (CD) compound, (CX) complex, or (CC) compound-complex.

1. We need to cut the grass, but we need to get gas for the mower first.

2. Although it rained today, the temperature is still very high.

3. This is the teacher who won an award; she inspires her students.

4. On the first of the month, I get paid.5. We can’t fix the problem until we know the

source of it.