Clauses
Independent and Subordinate Clauses
An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Ex: Icy winds blew.
He shivered
A subordinate clause, although it has a subject and a verb, cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence; it can only be part of a sentence. Subordinate clauses must be attached or inserted into independent clauses to make sense.
Ex: Because night was falling as was the temperature.
Which caused him to make his way to shelter.
Ind. Subord.
Attached to independent clause: The snow fell harder, which caused him to
make his way to shelter.
Which clause is independent and which is subordinate?
1. Because the film was sold out, the twins went to the mall.
2. The baby who captured everyone’s attention got the part in the commercial.
Independent and Subordinate (dependent) Clauses
· A clause is a group of words with its own subject and verb. There are two basic kinds of clauses: independent clauses and subordinate clauses.
· An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence.
· A subordinate clause, although it has a subject and a verb, cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence; it can only be part of a sentence. Subordinate clauses must be attached or inserted into independent clauses to make sense.
Understanding Independent and Subordinate Clauses
Label the following clauses as independent or subordinate on the line. In the space provided, rewrite the subordinate clauses so that they are attached to or inserted into an independent clause.
1. ______although the store was sold out of calculators
2. ______sedum and butterfly bush are both fall blooming plants
3. ______because the factory closed
4. ______whenever the government funded one program for school children
5. ______as soon as the Levin family returns from vacation
6. ______the veterinarian arrived
7. ______the route is difficult and dangerous
8. ______which can’t be seen from here
9. ______unless we get lost
10. ______demand a fair hearing
Types of Subordinate Clauses
There are three types of subordinate clauses: adjective, adverb, and noun clauses.
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that functions as an adjective and modifies a noun or pronoun. They are introduced with words like that, which, whom, whose, when, why, and where. An adjective clause follows the word it modifies.
Ex: Kristen, who once worked for Dr. Zarfos, wants to go to medical
school.
The firefighters raced to the building that was engulfed in flames.
Essential and Nonessential Adjective Clauses
When an adjective clause is essential to the meaning of a sentence (it restricts the noun it modifies to that particular person or thing), it should not be set off by commas.
Ex: Please stop at the store where they sell fresh fish.
Only doctors who have this particular training are allowed to perform
the procedure.
When an adjective clause is nonessential (it is not necessary to identify the noun it modifies), it is set off with commas.
Ex: Kelly’s Deli, which also carries a wonderful selection of cheeses, is on
the corner.
The patients, who all hope for greatly improved vision, have waited
many months for treatment.
Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that functions as an adjective and modifies a noun or pronoun. They are introduced with words like that, which, whom, whose, when, why, and where. An adjective clause follows the word it modifies.
Correcting Adjective Clauses
Underline the adjective clause in each sentence. Correct the punctuation of the adjective clauses in the following sentences. Not all sentences will need corrections. Write whether each adjective clause is essential (ess.) or nonessential (noness.) on the line provided.
1. ______That is the doctor who treated my injured knee.
2. ______The lake, that dominates the town, is nearly two miles wide.
3. ______Jonathan hoped for a new neighbor who could join in his games.
4. ______The plane, which was due in at 6:15 P.M., will not arrive until about 9:00 P.M.
5. ______Weddings are the events, where I shoot my best photographs.
6. ______Recent events that have occurred are tragic and heartbreaking.
7. ______Cecil whose car is always shiny and clean offered to wash our car as well.
8. ______Melvin has become the one person, whom you can always count on.
9. ______You’ll find it in my bedroom drawers, where I keep my socks.
10. ______The house which was more than two hundred years old had a ship’s mast at the center of its
staircase.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
There are three types of subordinate clauses: adjective, adverb, and noun clauses.
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb. It modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
Ex: Virgil used the computer every chance he could. (Every chance he could
modifies the verb used).
Nancy is much more studious than her sister is. (Than her sister is
modifies the adverb more studious).
Today, Stanley played far better than he usually does. (Than he usually
does modifies the adverb better).
When you use an adverb clause at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a comma. If you use an adverb clause at the end of a sentence, you do not need a comma.
Ex: If you’re going to the grocery store, please bring home a gallon of milk.
Please bring home a gallon of milk if you’re going to the grocery store.
Adverb clauses often, but not always, start with a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, because, before, if, so that, unless, when, where, whether, and while.
Adverb Clauses
· An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb. It modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb.
· When you use an adverb clause at the beginning of a sentence, follow it with a comma. If you use an adverb clause at the end of a sentence, you do not need a comma.
Understanding Adverb Clauses
Write an independent clause to attach to each of the following adverb clauses. When you write out the complete sentences, be sure to punctuate the adverb clauses correctly.
1. wherever I look
2. even though the air was filled with moisture
3. until Michael got to high school
4. before you accept the position
5. than she was at the beginning of the course
6. that you expected to see her at the airport
7. unless you can change your ferry tickets
8. when the battle ended
9. after I’d left on my daily walk
10. so that eventually everyone woke up
Subordinate Clauses
Noun Clauses
A noun clause is a subordinate clause that functions as a noun. This means that it can function as a subject, predicate nominative, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, or appositive. Noun clauses can have modifiers and compliments, and they can come at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence.
Words like these often start noun clauses: that, which, whatever, where, whether, which, who, whoever, whom, and whose.
Ex: That the phone didn’t ring was entirely surprising. (subject)
That is why she moved. (predicate nominative)
The editor had no idea where the manuscript was. (direct object)
Adele was greatly valued for what she knew about biology. (OP)
The focus of the ad campaign, that frequent brushing promotes
Healthy teeth, appealed to the organization of dentists. (Appositive)
Ricky gave that girl he loved a present. IO
Neil Armstrong was a former astronaut. PN – a noun that renames the subject.
NOUN CLAUSES
Noun clauses can function as any part of a sentence that a regular noun can function as.
(S) Subject: the main idea the sentence is about
(PN) Predicate Nominative: noun following a linking verb that renames the subject
(DO) Direct Object: noun following an action verb that answers Who? or What? about the verb
(IO) Indirect Object: noun between action verb and DO that answer To whom? or To what? about DO.
(OP) Object of Preposition: noun in the prepositional phrase
(APP) Appositive: noun that renames another noun
Noun clauses frequently begin with that, which, who, whom, whose, how, if, whatever, when, where, whether, whichever, whoever, or whomever.
Underline each noun clause in the sentences below, and write the clauses function on the line provided.
1. ______Whoever travels on the Yukon River in winter must account for the cold temperatures.
2. ______The miners believed that they could find gold quickly.
3. ______A frenzy of interest was caused by whoever found gold in Bonanza Creek.
4. ______Hopeful miners occupied whatever claims they could find.
5. ______Whoever heard of the Klondike gold strike traveled north, hoping to become rich.
6. ______Many American miners were unprepared for how difficult the Klondike’s rugged terrain would be for
them.
7. ______Whoever used the Yukon River as the main access route in the winter was caught in the ice and had
to be rescued.
8. ______Among the thousands of miners who went to the Klondike, a large percentage were disappointed by
how little gold they found.
9. ______Dreams of gold along the Yukon River gave whoever had a good imagination a reason to travel.
10. _____ Often, their only possessions were whatever they could carry on their backs.
Identify each clause as adjective, adverb, or noun.
11. ______The indigenous people who live in the far north adapted sled dogs for use as transportation.
12. ______They used dogs whenever they traveled.
13. ______Early expeditions that settled colder northern regions would have been impossible without sled dogs.
14. ______Even though modes of travel have advanced, sled dogs still offer reliable transportation in subzero
climates.
15. ______Sled-dog racing has evolved into a sport that is popular in colder parts of the world.
16. ______Although small local races were held in the nineteenth century, a major sled-dog race was not
staged until 1908.
17. ______Whoever wants to enter a sled-dog race today has a choice of more than 3,000 competitions.
18. ______The number of competitions has increased every year since sled-dog racing was organized.
19. ______The International Federation of Sled Dog Sports, which governs racing, was formed in 1986 to
promote the sport.
20. ______Because its efforts were effective, sled-dog racing is being considered for inclusion in winter
athletic festivals.
Phrases
A phrase is a group of words used as a single part of speech. A phrase lacks a subject, a verb, or both. It cannot be a sentence. There are three common kinds of phrases: prepositional, verbal, and appositive phrases.
Prepositional Phrases
These consist of a preposition, its object, and any modifiers of that object. It may function as an adjective or adverb.
Adjective: Sue planned a party with music and dancing. (with music and dancing tells what kind of party Sue had).
Adjective: She found the CDs and tapes in the box under her bed. (under her bed tell in which box Sue found the CDs).
Adverb: Albert struggled into his jacket. (into his jacket describes the verb
struggled—it tells how Albert struggled).
Adverb: My friend is generous with her time. (with her time is modifying the
adjective generous).
HINT: Find out which word the prepositional phrase is modifying. Figure out which part of speech that word is (noun, adjective, adverb, etc.). Based on this, you will be able to tell which part of speech the prepositional phrase is functioning as.
Phrases
There are 3 kinds of phrases: prepositional, verbal, and appositive phrases.
Verbal Phrases
There are 3 types of verbals: participles, gerunds, and infinitives.
Participial Phrases
A participle is a verb form ending in –ing, -d, or –ed that acts as an adjective (it tells us more about a noun or pronoun).
Ex: I closed the door. Closed is a VERB here, NOT a participle.
Ex: The closed door blocked my view. Closed is a PARTICIPLE.
A participial phrase is made up of a participle and all the words related to it (objects, modifiers, and prepositional phrases). The entire phrase acts as an adjective.
Ex: Swimming quickly toward the shore, Ryan thought eagerly
about a warm shower. (The participle swimming, the adverb
quickly, and the prepositional phrase toward the shore make up
the participial phrase that tells us more about Ryan.)
Ex: Jeffrey picked up the clothes scattered around his bedroom.
(The participle scattered and the prepositional phrase around
his bedroom make up the participial phrase that tells us more
about clothes.)
Phrases
There are 3 types of phrases: prepositional, verbal, and infinitive phrases.
Verbal Phrases
There are 3 types of verbals: participles, gerunds, and infinitives.
Gerund Phrases
A gerund is a verb form ending in –ing that functions as a noun.
Ex: I ran yesterday. Ran is a VERB, NOT a gerund.
Ex: Running is fun. Running is a GERUND.
A gerund phrase is a phrase made up of a gerund and all of its modifiers and compliments. The entire phrase functions as a noun. A gerund’s modifiers include adjectives, adverbs, and prepositional phrases.
Ex: Waiting for the school bus gives Henry time to read. (What
thing, or noun, gives Henry time to read?)
Ex: One of Henry’s favorite quiet times is waiting for the school
bus. (What thing is Henry’s favorite quiet time?)
Ex: Jim, however, hated waiting for the school bus. (What thing
does Jim hate?)
Ex: He always stopped for snacks before waiting for the school
bus. (What thing did Jim stop for snacks before?)
Verbal Phrases
There are 3 types of verbal phrases: participles, gerunds, and infinitives.
Infinitive Phrases
An infinitive phrase is made up of an infinitive and all its modifiers. They can function as nouns, adjectives, and adverbs.
Ex: It’s pleasant to eat strawberries with whipped cream. (adverb
describing the adjective “pleasant”)
Ex: The general intends to charge at the enemy’s flanks. (noun)
Sometimes the “to” of an infinitive is left out. It’s understood.
Ex: Eli helped [to] build the deck.
VERBALS: (Looks like a verb but acts as a noun or adjective!)
Gerunds:
· Look like verbs but act as NOUNS.
· End in –ing
Ex: I like exercising.