WHAT IS A CLAUSE? Clauses are groups of words that contain a
subject and a verb. There are two main types of clauses:
independent and dependent (or subordinate).
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INDEPENDENT CLAUSES An independent clause (IC) contains a
subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought. Since this type of
clause is independent, it can stand on its own as a complete
sentence. Example: Dan extinguished the fire.
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DEPENDENT CLAUSES A dependent clause (DC) also has a subject
and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. Since it is
dependent, it cannot be a sentence on its own. Example: Because Dan
extinguished the fire.
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DEPENDENT CLAUSES To distinguish a dependent clause from an
independent clause, look for dependent marker words. When one of
these words is placed before an independent clause, that clause
becomes dependent.
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EXAMPLES While the gods thundered in the heavens, the mortals
below cowered in fear. As the bank robber dodged the bullet, Joey
jumped behind the counter. Though Susan appreciated the flowers, a
Corvette would be a finer gift. Students who fail to show up for
class wont do well on the test.
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EXAMPLES The gods thundered in the heavens as mortals below
cowered in fear. The bank robber dodged the bullet while Joey
jumped behind the counter. Susan appreciated the flowers even
though a Corvette would be a finer gift. After the flood, the
family moved into a temporary shelter.
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PRACTICE Draw a slash (/) between the independent and dependent
clauses. Make sure to label each clause as IC or DC. Although I
lost my library book, I still finished my report in time. Everybody
got worried when Mrs. Jones yelled. My mom, whom I look up to, is
very generous. Ill join you at the mall after I finish my homework.
Even though he felt sick, James still went on the field trip.
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SIMPLE SENTENCES A simple sentence (S) contains one independent
clause and no dependent clauses Length of the sentence doesnt
matter! George laughed. IC Every Tuesday and Thursday, Clarissa
teaches young children gymnastics after school. IC
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COMPOUND SENTENCES A compound sentence (CD) contains two or
more independent clauses and no dependent clauses. Independent
clauses can be joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction or a
semicolon. The little boy ran, and then he hid. IC, cc IC The
little boy ran; then he hid. IC; IC
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REMEMBER Coordinating conjunctions are what you know as the
acronym FANBOYS: ForAndNorBut OrYet So
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PRACTICE Emily Dickinson published very few poems in her
lifetime. Some students ate in the cafeteria; others went outside
in the sunshine. Dark clouds gathered over the baseball field, and
it started to rain. I read the draft of the paper and did a
thorough revision. Last night, the storm howled and crashed against
my window.
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HOMEWORK Number a sheet of loose-leaf paper from 1-8 (skip a
line in between). Create sentences with the following structures:
1. simple sentence (short) 2. simple sentence (short) 3. simple
sentence (long) 4. simple sentence (long) 5. compound sentence
(comma FANBOYS) 6. compound sentence (comma FANBOYS) 7. compound
sentence (semicolon) 8. compound sentence (semicolon)
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COMPLEX SENTENCES A complex sentence (CX) contains one
independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In a complex
sentence, a dependent clause can come before, after, or in the
middle of the independent clause.
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COMPLEX SENTENCE EXAMPLES When we visited, Mr. Brodsky shared
his memories of World War II. DC, IC Mr. Ruiz was a photographer
until he was drafted. IC DC Mrs. Jones, who is my grandmother,
served as a nurse in the Army. IC-, DC, -IC Mr. Luizzo, who is a
retired pilot, talked to us about his experiences in enemy
territory where he was a prisoner of war. IC-, DC, -IC DC
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COMPLEX SENTENCE PRACTICE The car swerved to miss the student
who had slipped off the pavement. A student who is hungry would
never pass up a hamburger. Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of
coffee, it is best not to talk to him. Diane decided to plant
tomatoes in the back of the yard where the sun blazed longest
during the day. Even though the broccoli was covered in cheddar
cheese, Emily refused to eat it.
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MORE COMPLEX SENTENCE PRACTICE Nick gave a handful of potato
chips to the dog that was sniffing around the picnic tables. While
Bill napped on the sofa in front of the television, the family cat
scratched the leg of the coffee table because it was bored. Rhonda
gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the floor. Tanya did
poorly on her test because her friend insisted on gossiping during
their study session.
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COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCES A compound-complex sentence (CD-CX)
contains two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
To identify a compound-complex sentence, first look for a compound
sentence, then look for a dependent clause(s).
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COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE EXAMPLES Though Mitchell prefers
watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller; he
enjoyed it very much. DC, IC; IC Laura forgot her friend's
birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered. IC,
cc IC DC When we won the state championship, the team captain
jumped for joy, and the fans cheered until the team was off the
field. DC, IC, cc IC DC
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COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE PRACTICE While Tom reads novels, Jack
reads comics, but Sam only reads magazines. The dog barked when he
saw the cat; the cat ran away until she was safe. After the two
soccer players lost their game, they joined their other teammates
for lunch, and they went to the movies. The man believed in the
system, and he knew that justice would prevail after the murderer
was sent to jail.
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ADJECTIVE CLAUSES An adjective clause is a dependent clause
used as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, and tells
which one, what kind, or how much. Adjective clauses are usually
introduced by words like who, whom, whose, that, and which.
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ADJECTIVE CLAUSE EXAMPLES Student volunteers read books to
children who were in the daycare center. (which children?) A guide
dog that completes its training can lead a blind person across
streets. (which dog?) The guitar, which was the one Elvis used to
own, was found at a garage sale. (which guitar?) HINT: Adjective
clauses are NOT movable; If you move them, the sentence becomes
confusing.
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PRACTICE The route that I take to school everyday is very
scenic. John read the book that I gave him. A politician who is
trustworthy has the support of the people. Spring is the season
when everything blooms. We did not understand the reason why the
experiment failed.
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ADVERB CLAUSES An adverb clause is a dependent clause used as
an adverb. It modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb and tells
where, when, why, how, to what extent, or under what conditions.
Adverb clauses are usually introduced by words like if, because,
even though, than, so that, while, where, when, as if, and
since
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ADVERB CLAUSE EXAMPLES When spring arrives, the flowers bloom.
(When do the flowers bloom?) The woman had no money because she
lost her job. (Why didnt the woman have money?) Where there is
smoke, there is fire. (Where is there fire?) HINT: Adverb clauses
are movable; If you move them, the sentence still makes sense.
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PRACTICE After Boston won the pennant in 2004, the entire city
celebrated. We know the cake is done when the timer rings. Some
people buy expensive cars because they can. Wherever there is a
large city, there will be traffic. When they ran out of food, we
left the party. Phone us when you arrive in town.
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NOUN CLAUSES A noun clause is a dependent clause used as a
noun. Like a noun, a noun clause can be a subject, direct object,
indirect object, object of a preposition, or a predicate noun.
HINT- If you can substitute the word something or someone in place
of a clause and it makes sense, then its a noun clause
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NOUN CLAUSE EXAMPLES What the English teacher said inspired us.
(noun clause as subject) The wonderful thing about my students is
that they all get along so well (noun clause as predicate noun) I
must decide which class to take. (noun clause as direct object)
English teachers dispense wisdom to whoever will listen. (noun
clause as object of a preposition) Give whoever needs that
paperwork the correct information (noun clause as indirect
object)
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PRACTICE What Billy did shocked his friends. Billys friends
didnt know that he couldnt swim. Billys mistake was that he refused
to take lessons. Mary is not responsible for what Billy did. That
Billy finally learned how to swim is a miracle. George eats
whatever is on his plate.
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MORE PRACTICE We will give whoever drops by a free yoga lesson.
Whatever you decide is fine with me. Lacey talked at length about
how she had won the pie-eating contest. The problem is that my GPS
is lost. Whether you drive or fly is up to you. Sandy led us to
where she had last seen the canoe.
