The ClauseThe ClauseIndependentIndependentandandSubordinate ClausesSubordinate Clauses

What is a clause?What is a clause?

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

Every clause has a subject and a verb.Every clause has a subject and a verb. where are you nowwhere are you now

Subject = youSubject = you Verb = areVerb = are

after we won the gameafter we won the game Subject = weSubject = we Verb = wonVerb = won

What is a clause?What is a clause?

Not every clause expresses a complete thought.Not every clause expresses a complete thought.

Example: Example: A sitar is a stringed instrument that A sitar is a stringed instrument that resembles a lute.resembles a lute. A clause that does express a complete thought is an A clause that does express a complete thought is an

independent clause.independent clause. A sitar is a stringed instrument.A sitar is a stringed instrument.

Subject = sitarSubject = sitar Verb = isVerb = is

A clause that does not express a complete thought A clause that does not express a complete thought is a subordinate clause.is a subordinate clause. that resembles a lutethat resembles a lute

Subject = thatSubject = that Verb = resemblesVerb = resembles

The Independent The Independent ClauseClause

An independent clause (also called An independent clause (also called a main clause) expresses a a main clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand by complete thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.itself as a sentence.The Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe The Mexican artist Jose Guadalupe

Posada opposed the dictatorship of Posada opposed the dictatorship of Porfirio Diaz.Porfirio Diaz.Subject = artistSubject = artistVerb = opposedVerb = opposed

The Subordinate ClauseThe Subordinate Clause

A subordinate clause (also called a dependent A subordinate clause (also called a dependent clause) does not express a complete thought clause) does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.

Like a word or a phrase, a subordinate clause Like a word or a phrase, a subordinate clause can be used as an adjective, a noun, or an can be used as an adjective, a noun, or an adverb in a sentence.adverb in a sentence.

The thought expressed by a subordinate The thought expressed by a subordinate clause becomes complete when the clause is clause becomes complete when the clause is combined with an independent clause.combined with an independent clause.

The Adjective ClauseThe Adjective Clause

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun.that modifies a noun or a pronoun.

An adjective clause follows the word or words An adjective clause follows the word or words it modifies and tells it modifies and tells what kind what kind or or which onewhich one..

An adjective clause usually begins with a An adjective clause usually begins with a relative pronoun.relative pronoun. A relative pronoun relates an adjective clause A relative pronoun relates an adjective clause

to the word or words the clause modifies and to the word or words the clause modifies and serves a function within the clause.serves a function within the clause.

Relative PronounRelative Pronoun

Introduces an adjective clause Introduces an adjective clause (a (a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun; follows the word or words that it pronoun; follows the word or words that it modifies and tells modifies and tells what kind what kind or or which onewhich one).).

The relative pronouns are:The relative pronouns are: ThatThat WhichWhich WhoWho WhomWhom WhoseWhose

Adjective ClausesAdjective Clauses

Dr. Charles Richter devised the Richter scale, Dr. Charles Richter devised the Richter scale, which which is used to measure the magnitude of is used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.earthquakes.

Ferdinand Magellan, Ferdinand Magellan, who who was the was the commander of the first expedition around the commander of the first expedition around the world, was killed before the end of the world, was killed before the end of the journey.journey.

Didn’t John Kieran once say, “I am a part of Didn’t John Kieran once say, “I am a part of all all that that I have read”?I have read”?

Adjective ClausesAdjective Clauses

Be careful! Sometimes the Be careful! Sometimes the relative pronoun is not expressed, relative pronoun is not expressed, but its meaning is understood.but its meaning is understood.The documentary [The documentary [thatthat] I watched ] I watched

yesterday was about Harriet Tubman.yesterday was about Harriet Tubman.We will never forget the wonderful We will never forget the wonderful

summer [summer [whenwhen] we stayed with our ] we stayed with our grandparents in Puerto Rico.grandparents in Puerto Rico.

Adjective ClausesAdjective Clauses

To modify a place or time, an To modify a place or time, an adjective clause may begin adjective clause may begin with with when when or or where where or or whywhy. . When used to introduce When used to introduce adjective clauses, these words adjective clauses, these words are called are called relative adverbsrelative adverbs..

Adjective ClausesAdjective Clauses

Adjectival clauses are sometimes introduced by what Adjectival clauses are sometimes introduced by what are called the are called the relative adverbs: relative adverbs: where, when, where, when, and why. and why.

Although the entire clause is adjectival and will Although the entire clause is adjectival and will modify a noun, the relative word itself fulfills an modify a noun, the relative word itself fulfills an adverbial function (modifying a verb within its own adverbial function (modifying a verb within its own clause).clause).

The relative adverb The relative adverb where where will begin a clause that will begin a clause that modifies a noun of place:modifies a noun of place: My entire family now worships in the church where my My entire family now worships in the church where my

great grandfather used to be minister.great grandfather used to be minister. The relative pronoun "where" modifies the verb "used The relative pronoun "where" modifies the verb "used

to be" (which makes it adverbial), but the entire clause to be" (which makes it adverbial), but the entire clause ("where my great grandfather used to be minister") ("where my great grandfather used to be minister") modifies the word "church."modifies the word "church."

Relative AdverbsRelative Adverbs

A A when when clause will modify clause will modify nouns of time:nouns of time:My favorite month is always My favorite month is always

June, when we celebrate my June, when we celebrate my son’s birthday and the start of son’s birthday and the start of summer.summer.

Did I ever tell you about the Did I ever tell you about the time when I was hit by a car?time when I was hit by a car?

Relative AdverbsRelative Adverbs

Adjective ClauseAdjective Clause

Depending on how it is used, an adjective Depending on how it is used, an adjective clause is either essential or nonessential.clause is either essential or nonessential. An essential (or restrictive) clause provides An essential (or restrictive) clause provides

information that is necessary to the meaning of information that is necessary to the meaning of a sentence.a sentence.

A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) clause provides additional information that can be provides additional information that can be omitted without changing the basic meaning of omitted without changing the basic meaning of the sentence. Nonessential clauses are set off the sentence. Nonessential clauses are set off by commas.by commas.

The Noun ClauseThe Noun Clause

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

A noun clause may be used as a subject, A noun clause may be used as a subject, predicate nominative, a direct object, an predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect object, or an object of a preposition.indirect object, or an object of a preposition.

Common Introductory

Words For Noun Clauses

How What That Whatever When

Where Whether Which Whichever Who

Whoever Whomever Whom Whose Why

The Noun ClauseThe Noun Clause

The word that introduces a noun clause may or The word that introduces a noun clause may or may not have a grammatical function in the may not have a grammatical function in the clause.clause.

Examples:Examples: Tanya will do well at Tanya will do well at whatever she attemptswhatever she attempts..

Serves as the direct object of the verb Serves as the direct object of the verb attemptsattempts Does Luis think Does Luis think that Puerto Rico will become that Puerto Rico will become

a state somedaya state someday?? Does not serve a grammatical purposeDoes not serve a grammatical purpose

The theory The theory that the sun is the center of our that the sun is the center of our solar systemsolar system was proposed by Copernicus. was proposed by Copernicus. Identifies the noun Identifies the noun theorytheory..

Infinitive ClauseInfinitive Clause

Another type of noun clause is the infinitive Another type of noun clause is the infinitive clause.clause.

An infinitive clause consists of an infinitive with An infinitive clause consists of an infinitive with a subject, along with any modifiers and a subject, along with any modifiers and complements the infinitive has.complements the infinitive has.

The entire infinitive clause can function as the The entire infinitive clause can function as the direct object of a verb.direct object of a verb.

The subject of an infinitive clause is in the The subject of an infinitive clause is in the objective case and the infinitive takes the place objective case and the infinitive takes the place of a main verb.of a main verb.

Infinitive ClauseInfinitive Clause

I wanted I wanted her to tell the class her to tell the class the story about the penguinthe story about the penguin..The entire infinitive clause is the The entire infinitive clause is the

direct object of the verb direct object of the verb wantedwanted..HerHer is the subject of the infinitive to is the subject of the infinitive to

telltell..The infinitive The infinitive toto telltell has an indirect has an indirect

object, object, classclass, and a direct object, , and a direct object, storystory..

Infinitive ClauseInfinitive Clause

Judy’s father expected Judy’s father expected her to her to finish her homeworkfinish her homework..The entire infinitive clause is the The entire infinitive clause is the

direct object of the verb direct object of the verb expectedexpected..HerHer is the subject of the infinitive is the subject of the infinitive toto

finishfinish..The infinitive The infinitive toto finishfinish has a direct has a direct

object, object, homeworkhomework..

The Adverb ClauseThe Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. The squirrel ran The squirrel ran as though it were being as though it were being

chased by a catchased by a cat. [modifies . [modifies ran ran & tells & tells how how it it ran]ran]

An adverb clause tells An adverb clause tells howhow, , whenwhen, , wherewhere, , whywhy, , toto whatwhat extentextent, or un, or under whatder what conditioncondition..

An adverb clause that begins a sentence is An adverb clause that begins a sentence is followed by a comma.followed by a comma. When the weather starts getting coldWhen the weather starts getting cold, ,

many animals grow heavier fur.many animals grow heavier fur.

The Adverb ClauseThe Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is introduced by a An adverb clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction – a word or subordinating conjunction – a word or word group that shows the relationship word group that shows the relationship between the adverb clause and the between the adverb clause and the word or words that the clause modifies.word or words that the clause modifies.

A subordinating conjunction begins a A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate clause and connects it to subordinate clause and connects it to an independent clause.an independent clause. An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete

thought and can stand by itself as a sentence.thought and can stand by itself as a sentence. A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a

complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a sentence.

Common Subordinating Common Subordinating ConjunctionsConjunctions

After Although As As if

As much as

As though As well as Because

BeforeEven

thoughHow If

In order that

Provided Since So that

Than That Though Unless

Until When Whenever Where

Wherever Whether While Why

The Elliptical ClauseThe Elliptical Clause

Part of a clause may be left out when its meaning Part of a clause may be left out when its meaning can be clearly understood from the context of the can be clearly understood from the context of the sentence. This is an elliptical clause.sentence. This is an elliptical clause.

Most elliptical clauses are adverb clauses. Most elliptical clauses are adverb clauses.

The meaning of an elliptical clause often depends The meaning of an elliptical clause often depends on the form of the pronoun in the clause.on the form of the pronoun in the clause. Mike asked her more questions than I [asked her].Mike asked her more questions than I [asked her]. Mike asked her more questions than [she asked] me.Mike asked her more questions than [she asked] me.

Elliptical ClausesElliptical Clauses

Elliptical Clauses are Elliptical Clauses are grammatically incomplete in grammatically incomplete in the sense that they are missing the sense that they are missing either the relative pronoun either the relative pronoun (dependent word) that (dependent word) that normally introduces such a normally introduces such a clause or something from the clause or something from the predicate in the second part of predicate in the second part of a comparison. a comparison.

Elliptical ClausesElliptical Clauses

The missing parts of the elliptical clause can The missing parts of the elliptical clause can be guessed from the context and most readers be guessed from the context and most readers are not aware that anything is missing. In fact, are not aware that anything is missing. In fact, elliptical clauses are regarded as both useful elliptical clauses are regarded as both useful and correct, even in formal prose, because and correct, even in formal prose, because they are often elegant, efficient means of they are often elegant, efficient means of expression. (The omitted words are noted in expression. (The omitted words are noted in brackets below).brackets below). Coach Espinoza knew [that] this team would be Coach Espinoza knew [that] this team would be

the best [that] she had coached in recent years.the best [that] she had coached in recent years. Though [they were] sometimes nervous on the Though [they were] sometimes nervous on the

court, her recruits proved to be hard workers.court, her recruits proved to be hard workers. Sometimes the veterans knew the recruits could Sometimes the veterans knew the recruits could

play better than they [could play].play better than they [could play].

Classifying SentencesClassifying Sentences

Sentences can be classified according Sentences can be classified according to purpose or structure.to purpose or structure.

Sentences may be classified, according to Sentences may be classified, according to purpose, as:purpose, as:

Sentences may be classified according to Sentences may be classified according to structure as:structure as:

Declarative Imperative

Interrogative Exclamatory

Simple Complex Compound-complex

Simple SentencesSimple Sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no subordinate clauses.clause and no subordinate clauses.

A simple sentence may contain a compound A simple sentence may contain a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases.phrases.

Be careful to distinguish a simple sentence Be careful to distinguish a simple sentence with either a compound subject or a with either a compound subject or a compound verb from a compound sentence.compound verb from a compound sentence.

Simple SentencesSimple Sentences

H.J. (Henry Jackson) Lewis is generally H.J. (Henry Jackson) Lewis is generally regarded as the first African American regarded as the first African American political cartoonist.political cartoonist.

Lewis made sketches for archaeological Lewis made sketches for archaeological studies in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, studies in Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana in 1882 and 1883.and Louisiana in 1882 and 1883.

Throughout his life, Lewis produced drawings Throughout his life, Lewis produced drawings for various publications.for various publications.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

A compound sentence contains two or more A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses and no subordinate independent clauses and no subordinate clausesclauses

The independent clauses in a compound The independent clauses in a compound sentence may be joined by a comma and a sentence may be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (coordinating conjunction (fanboysfanboys), by a ), by a semicolon, or by a semicolon and a semicolon, or by a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb or a transitional conjunctive adverb or a transitional expression.expression.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

Use a Comma and a Joining Word. Use a Comma and a Joining Word. The teacher lectured for over an hour, and The teacher lectured for over an hour, and

his students slept soundly. his students slept soundly. The old man wanted to hide his money, for The old man wanted to hide his money, for

he feared his children would steal it from he feared his children would steal it from him.him.

The student had a test the next day, so she The student had a test the next day, so she studied all night long.studied all night long.

Pattern:      Pattern:       Sentence, joining word sentence.                   Sentence, joining word sentence.                   Subject + Predicate, joining word Subject + Subject + Predicate, joining word Subject +

Predicate.Predicate.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

Use a Semicolon.Use a Semicolon. The teacher lectured for over an hour; his The teacher lectured for over an hour; his

students slept soundly. students slept soundly. The old man wanted to hide his money; he The old man wanted to hide his money; he

feared his children would steal it from him. feared his children would steal it from him. The student studied all night long; she had a The student studied all night long; she had a

test the next day.test the next day.

Patterns:  Patterns:  Sentence ; sentence. Sentence ; sentence. Subject + Predicate ; Subject + Predicate.Subject + Predicate ; Subject + Predicate.

Compound SentencesCompound Sentences

Use a semicolon and a transition word. Use a semicolon and a transition word. The car had a V-8 engine and a new paint The car had a V-8 engine and a new paint

job; however, it had no brakes. job; however, it had no brakes. The Pit Bull had quite a bite; in fact, its The Pit Bull had quite a bite; in fact, its

bite was "outlawed" in seven states. bite was "outlawed" in seven states. Larry studied for the test all weekend; Larry studied for the test all weekend;

therefore, he expected to earn a good therefore, he expected to earn a good grade on the test.grade on the test.

Patterns:Patterns: Sentence ; transition word, sentence. Sentence ; transition word, sentence. Subject + Predicate ; transition word, Subject + Predicate ; transition word,

Subject + Predicate.Subject + Predicate.

Common Conjunctive Common Conjunctive AdverbsAdverbs

Also However Nevertheless

Anyway Instead Otherwise

Besides Likewise Still

Consequently

Meanwhile Then

Furthermore Moreover Therefore

Common Transitional Common Transitional ExpressionsExpressions

As a result

For example

In other words

At any rate

In addition

On the contrary

By the way In fact

On the other hand

Complex SentencesComplex Sentences

A complex sentence contains one independent clause A complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.and at least one subordinate clause.

Joining words (subordinating conjunctions) : As, As if, Joining words (subordinating conjunctions) : As, As if, Because, Since, Although, Even though, When, While, Because, Since, Although, Even though, When, While, Until, Unless, Where, etc. Until, Unless, Where, etc. When I looked into the mirror, I saw an old man. When I looked into the mirror, I saw an old man. I saw an old man when I looked into the mirror. I saw an old man when I looked into the mirror. Until Josh attended Merced College, he had no focus in Until Josh attended Merced College, he had no focus in

life. life. Josh had no focus in life until he attended Merced Josh had no focus in life until he attended Merced

College.College. Pattern:    Pattern:    

1. Joining word subject + predicate, subject + 1. Joining word subject + predicate, subject + predicate. predicate.

2. Subject + predicate joining word subject + predicate.2. Subject + predicate joining word subject + predicate.

Compound-Complex Compound-Complex SentencesSentences

A compound-complex sentence contains two or A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at least one more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.subordinate clause. When I looked into the mirror, I saw an old man, and When I looked into the mirror, I saw an old man, and

I was surprised. I was surprised. As I look out the window, I see no clouds, but the As I look out the window, I see no clouds, but the

weather report predicted rain. weather report predicted rain. Whenever the old man walked around the mansion, Whenever the old man walked around the mansion,

he wanted to hide his money, for he feared his he wanted to hide his money, for he feared his children would steal it from him.children would steal it from him.

Pattern: Subordinating conjunction subject + Pattern: Subordinating conjunction subject + predicate, subject + predicate, coordinating  predicate, subject + predicate, coordinating  conjunction subject + predicate. conjunction subject + predicate.