Clauses The building blocks of sentence structure

A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb, and it is part of a sentence. There are two major types- no offence to Santa Independent– can stand alone as a sentence Independent– can stand alone as a sentence Subordinate– cannot stand alone as a sentence Subordinate– cannot stand alone as a sentence

I. The independent clause A group of word with a subject and a verb that could stand alone as a sentence A group of word with a subject and a verb that could stand alone as a sentence Examples: I wanted to jump over the cliff when my weird uncle arrived for a visit. Godzilla is my favorite monster, but I like Mothra as well.

II. The subordinate clause: a group of words with a subject and verb, but it cannot stand alone; thus, it is dependent. It’s another wannabe: there are three types AdjectiveAdverbNoun

A. The Adjective Clause A group of words with a subject and a verb that is used as an adjective A group of words with a subject and a verb that is used as an adjective They begin with relative pronouns They begin with relative pronouns (wh words) (wh words) Who Who Whose Whose Whom Whom Which Which That That

Adjective clause continued… Adjective clause continued… Will always follow the noun it refers to.. Called the antecedent. Will always follow the noun it refers to.. Called the antecedent. Examples: Examples: The girl who lives in Nebraska loves corn. The girl who lives in Nebraska loves corn. The desk that came from Montreal is an antique. The desk that came from Montreal is an antique. She is the girl to whom I am indebted. She is the girl to whom I am indebted. The man whose coat is on the floor is cold. The man whose coat is on the floor is cold.

Adjective clause continued… When the adjective clause is removed, an independent clause remains. When the adjective clause is removed, an independent clause remains. If the adjective clause is not important (non-restrictive), it is surrounded with commas– clue proper nouns. If the adjective clause is not important (non-restrictive), it is surrounded with commas– clue proper nouns. Elijah Wood, who stars in The War, appears in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Elijah Wood, who stars in The War, appears in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The boy who stars in The War appears in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The boy who stars in The War appears in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

B. The adverb clause A group of words with a subject and a verb and acts like an adverb. A group of words with a subject and a verb and acts like an adverb. It begins with subordinating conjunctions. Common examples: It begins with subordinating conjunctions. Common examples: Sincebecausealthough Sincebecausealthough Whileafterwhen Whileafterwhen If as ifas long as If as ifas long as Untilbeforethough Untilbeforethough

Adverb Clause continued… They can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They can modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They answer the common questions where, when, how, how often, to what extent, and why. They answer the common questions where, when, how, how often, to what extent, and why. Examples: When I speak quickly, I mumble my words. Examples: When I speak quickly, I mumble my words. I must clean the yard before I can attend the concert. I must clean the yard before I can attend the concert.

Adverb Clause continued… If the adverb clause begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma. If the adverb clause begins a sentence, it is followed by a comma. While my brother fishes, I snorkel for lobster. While my brother fishes, I snorkel for lobster. If the adverb clause is located at the end, no comma is used. If the adverb clause is located at the end, no comma is used. I snorkel for lobster while my brother fishes. I snorkel for lobster while my brother fishes.

C. The Noun clause… another imposter The noun clause has a subject and a verb and is part of a sentence. The noun clause has a subject and a verb and is part of a sentence. It functions as a noun… Usually introduced by It functions as a noun… Usually introduced by That whatwhatever That whatwhatever Who whoeverhow Who whoeverhow Whomwhomever Whomwhomever

Noun Clause continued… The noun clause functions just like a noun. The noun clause functions just like a noun. Location, location, location… Location, location, location… Subject … beginning Subject … beginning Predicate nominative… after linking verb Predicate nominative… after linking verb Direct object … after action verb Direct object … after action verb Indirect object … after AV but before DO Indirect object … after AV but before DO Object of preposition… after preposition Object of preposition… after preposition

Noun Clauses continued… When a noun clause is removed, a gap may appear. HOWEVER, the remaining information is considered an independent clause. It’s weird but true. When a noun clause is removed, a gap may appear. HOWEVER, the remaining information is considered an independent clause. It’s weird but true. Whoever helps me will earn extra credit. Whoever helps me will earn extra credit. You must play by whatever rules we decree. You must play by whatever rules we decree.

location, location, location determines function …At the beginning How well you perform will determine your grade. How well you perform will determine your grade. Whatever you dream can come true. Whatever you dream can come true. What you are doing is important to me. What you are doing is important to me. Subject Subject

…after the linking verb His goal is what he dreams. His goal is what he dreams. The president will be whoever wins the election. The president will be whoever wins the election. Our dinner is whatever we catch in the ocean. Our dinner is whatever we catch in the ocean. Predicate nominative Predicate nominative

…after the action verb Lenny knew what to do. Lenny knew what to do. Sandra sang whatever she wanted. Sandra sang whatever she wanted. She did not know who it could be. She did not know who it could be. Direct object Direct object

… after the action verb but before the direct object Suzy mailed whoever signed up the list. Suzy mailed whoever signed up the list. We gave whomever we wanted what we wanted. We gave whomever we wanted what we wanted. We tell whoever calls the sales prices. We tell whoever calls the sales prices. Indirect object Indirect object

…after the preposition I will give the information to whomever I want. I will give the information to whomever I want. I read the labels on whatever I eat. I read the labels on whatever I eat. She gets in trouble for what she wears. She gets in trouble for what she wears. Object of the preposition Object of the preposition

III. Sentence Structure A. Simple Sentence: one independent clause A. Simple Sentence: one independent clause Could have compound subjects or verbs– length is not necessarily a clue Could have compound subjects or verbs– length is not necessarily a clue 1. The boy with blue hair and the girl with a crew cut dated for several months in the the fall. 1. The boy with blue hair and the girl with a crew cut dated for several months in the the fall. 2. Bob jumped for joy. 2. Bob jumped for joy.

B. Compound Sentence Two or more independent clauses Two or more independent clauses Length is not a clue Length is not a clue Bob ran and Sue jumped Bob ran and Sue jumped a); b): c),conjunction a); b): c),conjunction We stormed the Bastille, and then we set the prisoners free. We stormed the Bastille, and then we set the prisoners free.

C. Complex Sentence One independent and one or more subordinate clauses One independent and one or more subordinate clauses Bob fell when I entered the room. Bob fell when I entered the room.

D. Compound complex Two or more independent and one or more subordinate clauses. Two or more independent and one or more subordinate clauses. Bob ran and Suzy danced after I sang my song. Bob ran and Suzy danced after I sang my song.