EnglishThe ClauseProf. Glorivette Anibarro

The Clause What is a clause?

A sentence What are the three things that a

sentence needs?A subject, a verb and a complete idea.

What is an independent clause?A complete sentence that can stand by itself.

• What is a subordinate clause?A sentence that is incomplete and cannot stand by itself.

The Clause Identify the underlined clause as independent or

subordinate.1. Anyone who wants salad should order it separately.Subordinate2. The puppy that is sitting in the corner seems very

shy.Independent3. What Dr. Chan said has started to worry me.Subordinate4. Judy Garland first appeared onstage when she was

only five years old.Subordinate5. Unless the weather improves, the trail ride will be

canceled.Independent

Adjective Clauses modify a noun or a pronoun. They answer what kind? Or which one?

Examples: White water rafting is a sport that you might

enjoy. (It modifies the noun sport, telling what kind.)

Our guide, whom we know well, showed us photographs of her last rafting trip. (It modifies the noun guide, telling which one.)

Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns that, who, whom, whose, which; or relative adverbs when, where, why, before, since.)

Adverb Clauses modify a verb, adjective, or an adverb. They answer how, when, where, why, to what

extent, under what condition, in what way.Examples: If the rain stops soon, we will continue the game.

(It modifies the verb will continue, telling under what condition we will continue the game.)

Since the weather is so pleasant, we should have a picnic by the lake. (It modifies the verb should have, telling why we should have a picnic.)

Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions like after, although, if, because, since, so that, until and others you find in your book. Level 1 page 328, Level 2 page 477)

Noun clauses are used as nouns in the sentence.

Used as:• Subject: the main word or word group that

tells whom or what the sentence is aboutThat Marie Curie changed modern science

is well known. • Predicate nominative: word or word group

that is in the predicate and that identifies the subject or refers to it

Horticulture was what he studied in college.

Noun clauses Direct object: a noun, pronoun, or word

group that tells who or what receives the action of a verb

He showed that he had talent for painting. Indirect object: a noun, pronoun or word

group that often appears in sentences containing direct objects. It tells to whom or to what (for whom or for what) the action of the verb is done.

Give whatever parts need cleaning a rinse in detergent.

Noun clauses Object of a preposition: the noun or

pronoun in a prepositional phrase.He checks the ID cards of whoever

visits. Appositives: is a word or phrase that

identifies or explains the noun or pronoun it follows.

His idea, that all people are equal, is central to American democracy.

The Clause

Sentences Classified According to Structure

Sentences Classified According to Structure

Depending on its structure (the number and types of clauses in a sentence), a sentence can be classified as simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

Sentences Classified According to Structure Simple Sentences

A simple sentence contains one independent clause and NO subordinate clauses. It may have a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases.

Examples:The boys wanted to take a vacation last

summer.Ray and Joe worked and saved enough for

a trip to Ohio.

Sentences Classified According to Structure Compound SentencesA compound sentence contains two or more

independent clauses and NO subordinate clauses.

Examples: Originally, they wanted to ride bikes all the way,

but they decided to take the train instead.Ray looked forward to seeing his cousins; Joe

was eager to play with his uncle’s band.Uncle James played in a country music band;

however, Joe preferred rock music.

Sentences Classified According to Structure Complex SentencesA complex sentence contains one

independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Examples:Because Joe wanted to keep his guitar with

him, they decided against taking a plane.

If they took the train, they could see all the sights, too.

Sentences Classified According to Structure Compound-Complex SentencesA compound-complex sentence contains two

or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause.

Examples:The band played at a dance, and Ray was

pulled into a line dance that was starting.To his surprise, he was good at line

dancing; afterward, he joined in whenever he got the chance.

Sentences Classified According to StructureIdentify each sentence as simple (s), compound (c),

complex (cx), or compound-complex (cd-cx).1. We stood inside the clubhouse, waiting for the

rain to stop.2. Some people offered to help; some agreed

reluctantly; others refused.3. Jody made a wish and blew out the candles.4. If you like to read about contemporary people,

you might enjoy Current Biography.5. In 1871, the entertainer P.T. Barnum opened a

circus, which he later called “The Greatest Show on Earth”; he was later elected mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut.

6. Because Philo T. Farnsworth helped invent television, his name is in encyclopedias.

Sentences Classified According to Structure1. Complex2. Compound3. Simple4. Complex5. Compound-Complex6. Complex