Week of October 23, 2016

10/25 Clauses A clause is a group of words that is part of a sentence and that has a subject and a verb. Phrase: I wrote a letter after dinner. Clause: I wrote a letter after dinner was finished. Phrase Quiz Wednesday!

10/25 Independent Clauses An independent (main) clause can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is called a sentence when it stands by itself. It is called a clause when it appears in a sentence with another clause. Independent Clause: I will write a few sentences, and you can analyze my handwriting. Two sentences: I will write a few sentences. You can analyze my handwriting.

10/25 Subordinate Clauses A subordinate (dependent) clause cannot stand alone as a sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Generally, clauses that begin with when, whom, because, which, that, if, or until do not express complete thoughts. If you are interested, you can read about handwriting analysis. Subordinate clause My friends read a book that was about graphology.

10/25 Independent and Subordinate Clauses Identify each of the underlined clauses as independent or subordinate clause. Anyone who wants salad should order it separately. Because there are many kinds of burritos, we enjoy having them for dinner once a week. Tomorrow Tamala will give her presentation, which is about opera. Since we won the game on Friday, we will be going to the playoffs. Unless the weather improves, the trail ride will be cancelled.

10/26 Restrictive clauses A restrictive (essential) clause contains information that is essential to identifying a person, place, or thing in a sentence. A restrictive (essential) clause answers the question Which one? Do not use commas to set off an essential clause.

10/26 Restrictive Clause Examples Dorthea Lange’s photograph that shows a tired-looking mother with her children is on display at the museum. The senator who introduced the bill made a good speech. The trees that my grandfather planted many years ago are still bearing fruit.

10/26 Nonrestrictive Clauses A nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause adds additional information and can be removed without changing the main information of a sentence. To determine if you should use commas to set off a clause, read the sentence without the clause. If the sentence is meaningful without the clause, set the clause off with commas.

10/26 Nonrestrictive (nonessential) clause examples The photograph, which was taken in 1936, shows an image that is striking. My piano teacher, who is an accomplished musician, is giving a recital Friday. Our house, which was once painted brown, is now light yellow.

10/26 Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses Rewrite each sentence, placing commas where they are needed. Dr. Laker who drives a blue minivan is his advisor. The jogger wearing the red shirt came in first place. Isn’t he the person who gave us directions? My brother hoping to get a job requested an interview. The girl who won third place is my teammate.

10/27 Subordinating Conjunctions A subordinating clause can function as an adverb, an adjective, or a noun. An adverb clause tells how, when, where, why, to what extent or under what condition. An adverbial clause begins with a subordinating conjunction.

10/27 Subordinating Conjunctions Always place a comma after an adverbial clause that comes at the beginning of a sentence. Before we visited Ireland, we saw the sights of London Place a comma before and after an adverbial clause that interrupts an independent clause. Our schedule, as far as I can tell, seems reasonable. When an adverbial clause follows an independent clause, no comma is needed. We will drive so that we can see the countryside.

10/27 Subordinating Conjunctions Underline the adverb clause in each and add commas when necessary. When our school has a fire drill everyone must go outside. She walked until she was too tired to take another step. Because he was late so often he bought a watch. As soon as you are ready we will leave. You can set the table while I prepare the salad.