Clauses

A clause is a group of words

• With both a SUBJECT and a PREDICATE;

• Clauses can be either independent (also called main clauses) or dependent (also called subordinate clauses).

• An independent clause, or main clause, CAN stand alone as a sentence, or complete thought.

Conjunction

• A word that connects• Subordinating

Conjunction:• A conjunction that

introduces a dependent clause when it is an adverb clause.

Examples ofSubordinating conjunctions:

Time: since, after;Cause: as, because;Result: so, that;Condition: if, unless;Contrast: though;Location: where;Choice: whether

Clause A:When umbrellas were invented,Clause B:People used them for sun protection.

Clause A = Dependent Clause (subordinate clause;

Clause B = Independent Clause (main clause).

When umbrellas were invented, people used them for sun protection. ( See S&S 7p and 24c).

Clause A = Dependent (subordinate);Clause A = Dependent (subordinate);Clause B = Independent (main).Clause B = Independent (main).

CLAUSE B:

the Japanese were unable to break the code.

CLAUSE A:Because Navajo is a very complex language,

See S&S 7p & 24c

Do not punctuate a dependent clause as a complete sentence.

Do not use a period, semicolon, or question mark to punctuate a

dependent clause.

Because the phone rang loudly.= INCORRECT

I was awakened because the phone rang loudly.= CORRECT

See S&S 12

Punctuating a dependent clause as a complete sentence =

A Major Error called a Sentence

FRAGMENT.

SEE S&S 12.

S&S = Simon & Schuster Handbook for Writers, 6th ed.

• 7 = Parts of Speech & Sentence Patterns

• 7p = Clauses

• 12 = Fragments

• 13 = Comma Splices/Run-Ons

• 24b = Coordinating Conjunctions

• 25 = Clauses with Semicolons