I bought a book. This sentence has the three basic elements required of either a simple sentence or a clause: Subject = I Verb = bought Object = a book
While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book. While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book. Now we have a two clause sentence, but these clauses are not the same. The original clause I bought a book can stand on its own as a simple sentence. It expresses a complete thought by itself. Therefore, it is called an independent clause.
An independent clause is a S + V / O bject or C omplement or A dverbial unit that expresses a complete thought and could stand on its own as a simple sentence. Whether you find an independent clause by itself as a simple sentence or joined with other clauses, you will be able to identify it because it: iis a S+V/ unit that eexpresses a complete thought
While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book. If we only consider the first clause, while my mother drank her coffee, we are left with a question in our minds, “What happened while your mother drank her coffee?!” This clause can not stand on its own as a simple sentence. It requires another clause to a complete its meaning. Therefore, it is called an dependent clause.
A dependent clause is a S + V / O bject or C omplement or A dverbial unit that does not express a complete thought and can not stand on its own as a simple sentence. A dependent clause must always be connected to an independent clause. You will be able to identify it because it: iis a S+V/ unit that ddoes not express a complete thought on its own
There are 3 different types of dependent clauses. Noun Clause (NC) Adjective Clause (AdjC) Adverb Clause (AdvC)
Subordinate clauses are a group of words that have a subject (noun/pronoun) AND predicate (verb) but does not convey a complete thought. ALL complex and compound-complex sentences have subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses have specific names, thus they have specific functions. Basically, a subordinate clause will always be a subordinate clause, but we will be naming the subordinate clause as either adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clause. Example: People are human beings, just like subordinate clauses are groups of words, and just as people are male or female, subordinate clauses are adjective clause, adverb clause, or noun clauses.
Sentence examples: 1. The desert is a place where most animals are not able to work. 2. Since I lost my lunch money, I can’t eat today. 3. Where many kids play is a place where pedophiles will linger.
[S+V/] that acts like an adjective Example : The story [that I am reading] is sad. S V This entire clause acts like an adjective, so it is an adjective clause. AdjCs follow nouns Often start with relative pronouns but the relative pronoun can be omitted if the clause has another noun to serve as the subject EX: The story [I am reading]is sad. relative pronoun [that I am reading]
Relative pronouns introduce adjective clauses. There are 9 relative pronouns, but 7 are quite common. Most common Relative Pronouns: who, whom, which, whomever, whose, what, that -WHEN and WHERE can also be relative pronouns used to introduce adjective clauses BUT are most often subordinators- IT DEPENDS ON WHAT IT IS REFERRING TO.- If you take the adjective clause out of your sentence, your sentence will still be left with a main clause. Examples: 1. Allison likes pathways where she can see other people in case of an emergency. Where can she see other people in an emergency? 2. Many people are often found where they should not be. Where should they not be? – Q can’t be answered! What happens when people are where they should not be?
An adjective clause describes/modifies a noun or pronoun. Modifies - means it refers to. Just as an adjective modifies a noun or pronoun, an adjective clause acts in the same way, except it is a group of words acting as an adjective would! Example: 1. Thunderstorms, which are often quite unpredictable, seem to arise when the weather forecast least expects them. What is often quite unpredictable Yep, thunderstorms is the noun that the underlined adjective clause modifies.
ALL sentences that have an adjective clause will be.. Complex = mc + sc OR Compound-Complex = mc + mc + sc How do we know this? An adjective clause names a specific subordinate clause (SC)
(a) The man who looked pale was very sick. (b) He was sitting in the emergency room that was very crowded. (c) The woman who you called will be here soon. (d) He lived in chambers which had once belonged to his deceased partner.
Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinators. There are 16 subordinators and you can find them on pg 507 in your Writer’s Choice book. Very common subordinators are: although, because, until, before, since, whenever, & after When a subordinator/ adverb clause starts a sentence, the clause is ALWAYS followed by a comma-
If the clause is inside of a set of commas, that will be the completed clause. Include prepositional phrases in the completed clause Stop the clause at the main verb of the sentence Stop the clause right before a comma, UNLESS it a series. Ex, dog, cat, mouse, etc. Lastly, IF you take the Adverb Clause out of the sentence, the sentence will be left with a main clause.
(a) If the clause is inside of a set of commas, that will be the completed clause. Example: I don’t know what I would have done, if the police didn’t show up, with the flat tire I got on I-75 south. (b) Include prepositional phrases in the completed clause. Example: Many people don’t know how to cook well, since they can buy meals in various types of stores (c) Stop the clause right before a comma, UNLESS it a series. Ex, dog, cat, mouse, etc. Example: Mom said I could not have dessert because I did not eat my broccoli, corn, or mashed potatoes.
Direct Object – who or what receives the action of the verb (verb must be an action verb) Ex. She kicked the ball hard. ∙ Indirect Object – to whom or for what the action was done (verb must be an action verb) Ex. Her mother gave her a gift card to the mall. Object of the Preposition – the noun or pronoun that the preposition refers to. Ex. She ran down the hill and almost fell.
A phrase is a group of words that doesn’t contain a subject and verb. A noun phrase is used as the subject or object in a sentence. This book was published last year. (noun phrase/subject) I read this book. (noun phrase/object)
Noun clause - a subordinate clause used as a noun Subordinate clause – has a subj/predicate but does NOT convey a complete thought. A noun clause acts just like a one word noun, thus it can be the subject of your sentence, the direct object, the indirect object, the predicate noun, OR the object of the preposition.
Noun clauses can be introduced by words that are also called subordinators AND relative pronouns (this can get tricky) Words in green- introduce noun clauses ONLY Words in blue – introduce noun & adj clauses Words in black – introduce noun & adv clauses How, however, if, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whom, whoever, whomever, whose, & why
The key to determining if a clause is a noun clause is to first learn and be able to recognize when you see a word that introduces a noun clause Secondly, find out where the clause is located in your sentence. If the clause comes right after a preposition, then it is a noun clause acting as the object of the preposition. If it comes at the beginning of the sentence AND before the acting verb of the sentence is the subject of the sentence.
If the clause comes after the main action verb in the sentence it will be direct object or indirect object. Lastly, discovering if a clause is predicate noun or not is the most difficult. The key is to rule out the other possibilities for noun clauses and if the main verb in the sentence is a linking verb, then the noun clause is probably acting as a predicate noun. – Be sure to check and make sure it refers back to the subject.
[S+V/] that acts like a noun Example: I think [you are sick]. I think [you are sick]. S V O Objects are nouns; this entire clause acts like a singular noun, so it is a noun clause. NCs usually follow verbs as objects or complements “Answers” the question “What?” Example: Q: What do you think? A: I think Spiderman is the best superhero.
NCs can begin with “that” “that” is a subordinating conjunction that joins it to an IC makes the clause it begins depend on the IC to complete its meaning. “that” is often omitted by native speakers: Example: I think that Spiderman is the best superhero. I think Spiderman is the best superhero.
A noun clause has a subject and verb. It is used as the subject or object in a sentence. A noun clause is a dependent clause that works like a noun. You can find it as a subject or object. I read what she wrote. What she wrote is interesting. noun clause
Wh- clauses begin with words like who, what, how, whenever, which, etc. I need to explain what a noun clause is. I don't know where Mary lives. Tell me how old she is. First, you need to explain what a noun clause is. What is a noun clause? Where does Mary live? How old is she? noun clause questions
Questions What do you do in class? Where does he work? What should I do? Who are they? What happened? Noun Clauses What we do in class is easy. Where he works is a secret. I don’t know what you should do. Mary knows who they are. She knows what happened.
Adverbs modify: VERBS, ADJECTIVES, and other ADVERBS
Nearly anywhere in the sentence… However, they are usually near the verb, adjective or adverb they modify (but not always) Examples: He can run fast. (tells: how he can run) She really likes soccer. (tells: to what extent, she likes…)
They can swim really quickly. (modifies the adverb quickly. It answers – How quickly?) He is not enjoying this activity. (Just remember the word not is always an adverb.) She is always late for class. (The words always, never, sometimes, rarely, etc. are also adverbs)
Your book is here. Your pencil is there. The birds are flying high. The plane is flying by.
He came home late. She woke early. They are performing now. She will do her homework later.
ADVERB: They will leave soon. ADVERB PHRASE: They will leave (in a few minutes). ADVERB CLAUSE: They will leave when they are ready. SV
An adverb clause is a subordinate (dependent clause) that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Like an adverb an adverb clause tells where, when, how, why, to what extent or under what condition.
…beginning, middle or end… EXAMPLES: You may sit wherever you wish. (modifies the verb sit and tells where) When spring sets in, many students go crazy. (modifies the verb go and tells when) Sammy and Alexandra look as though they have some exciting news for us. (modifies the verb look, telling how S. and A. look)
Happy because she made an A, Maia hurried to phone her mom. (modifies the adjective Happy, telling why Maia was happy.) Will can climb higher than I can. (modifies the adverb higher, telling to what extent or how much higher Will can climb) If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the beach for class. (modifies the verb will go, telling under what condition we will go to the beach.)
comma When an adverb clause begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma.,
An adverb clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction—a word that shows the relationship between the adverb clause and the word or words that the clause modifies.
[S+V/] that acts like an adverb Example : [ After we drove to the mall], we looked for a bookstore. This clause gives information about how or why the action happened, so it acts like an adverb. AdvCs always begin with a subordinating conjunction after although as because before even though if since unless until when
Every adverb clause begins with a subordinate conjunction. Some examples of subordinate conjunctions would be when, since, before, although, until… Adverb clauses modify the main verb in the sentence, adjectives and other adverbs.
◦ After he raised his rifle to his shoulder, he squeezed the trigger immediately. ◦ The student left the room before the bell rang. ◦ He enjoys camping in the woods more than you do
AAlthough he heard the hiss of the snake, he still could not see it until he moved the pile of wood. TThe kite rose quickly into the air as soon as the gusty wind hit its face.
Adverb clauses must have a subject and a verb. The first word in an adverb clause is the subordinate conjunction. If the sentence begins with an adverb clause, use a comma after it.