Clauses and Sentence Structure Language Network Clauses and Sentence Structure

Clauses and Sentence Structure Kinds of Clauses Here’s the Idea Independent Clauses Subordinate Clauses Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Here’s the Idea Clause A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

Your genes carry your family’s genetic history. Here’s the Idea SUBJECT VERB Your genes carry your family’s genetic history. CLAUSE

Clauses show relationships between ideas. Here’s the Idea Clauses add details. Clauses show relationships between ideas.

Here’s the Idea Independent Clause An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Genes contain the code for your physical appearance. Here’s the Idea Genes contain the code for your physical appearance. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Here’s the Idea Subordinate Clause A subordinate (or dependent) clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence.

because inherited genes often skip a generation Here’s the Idea Subordinate clauses are introduced by words like if, because, that, when, and since. because inherited genes often skip a generation because inherited genes often skip a generation SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

By itself, a subordinate clause is a sentence fragment. Here’s the Idea By itself, a subordinate clause is a sentence fragment. that determines your height that determines your height SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

that determines your height. Genes contain the code Here’s the Idea For a complete thought to be expressed, a subordinate clause must be part of a sentence that contains an independent clause. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE Genes contain the code that determines your height. Genes contain the code that determines your height. SUBORDINATE CLAUSE

a subordinate clause accidentally written as a sentence. Why It Matters Recognizing independent and subordinate clauses will help you avoid a kind of fragment: a subordinate clause accidentally written as a sentence.

Identify the subordinate clauses that act as fragments. Why It Matters Identify the subordinate clauses that act as fragments. STUDENT MODEL DRAFT Clasp your hands together. As the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top. This little trait is inherited.

To fix these fragments, join them with independent clauses. Why It Matters To fix these fragments, join them with independent clauses. STUDENT MODEL Clasp your hands together. As the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top. This little trait is inherited. DRAFT Clasp your hands together as the picture shows. Which thumb is on top? If you clasp your hands to position the other thumb on top, it feels wrong. This little trait is inherited. REVISON

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. Practice and Apply Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. because my father is tall 1.

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. Practice and Apply Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. even though his twin sisters look alike 2.

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. Practice and Apply Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. that shows her family tree 3.

Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. Practice and Apply Join this subordinate clause with an independent clause. when my ancestors arrived in this country 4.

Clauses and Sentence Structure Adjective Clauses Here’s the Idea Adjective Clauses Essential Adjective Clauses Nonessential Adjective Clauses Why It Matters Practice and Apply

Subordinate clauses can be adjective clauses. Here’s the Idea Subordinate clauses can be adjective clauses.

Here’s the Idea Adjective Clause An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that is used as an adjective to modify a noun or a pronoun.

What does each adjective clause modify? Here’s the Idea What does each adjective clause modify? A family is more than a group of people who are related. NOUN It was she who started our family tree. PRONOUN

that, who, whom, whose, which where, when, why Here’s the Idea An adjective clause is introduced by a relative pronoun or by a relative adverb. that, who, whom, whose, which where, when, why

Essential Adjective Clause Here’s the Idea Essential Adjective Clause An essential (or restrictive) adjective clause provides information that is necessary to identify the preceding noun or pronoun.

ESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE Here’s the Idea ESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE Someone who is your first cousin is the child of your uncle or aunt.

Nonessential Adjective Clause Here’s the Idea Nonessential Adjective Clause A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) adjective clause adds additional information about a noun or pronoun whose meaning is already clear.

NONESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE Here’s the Idea NONESSENTIAL ADJECTIVE CLAUSE Irene, who is your first cousin, was married last fall.

Here’s the Idea Use commas to set off a nonessential clause. The commas separate nonessential information from the main idea of the sentence.

Why It Matters Adjective clauses can supply details necessary to explain, support, and connect your ideas.

Adjective clauses help to avoid repetition. Why It Matters Adjective clauses help to avoid repetition. STUDENT MODEL DRAFT The reception was held at an old hotel. The hotel looks like a castle.

Join these sentences with independent clauses. Why It Matters Join these sentences with independent clauses. STUDENT MODEL The reception was held at an old hotel. The hotel looks like a castle. DRAFT The reception was held at an old hotel that looks like a castle. REVISON

Write the adjective clause, along with the word or words it modifies. Practice and Apply Write the adjective clause, along with the word or words it modifies. Aunt Ming, who is known for her funny jokes, entertains the family. 5.

Write the adjective clause, along with the word or words it modifies. Practice and Apply Write the adjective clause, along with the word or words it modifies. Spaghetti, which is Uncle Anthony’s specialty, is everyone’s favorite dish. 6.

Combine these sentences by changing one into an adjective clause. Practice and Apply Combine these sentences by changing one into an adjective clause. Emily’s ancestors arrived on Ellis Island in 1900. Emily’s ancestors sailed to America. 7.

Combine these sentences by changing one into an adjective clause. Practice and Apply Combine these sentences by changing one into an adjective clause. Her ancestors established a business in New York City. Many immigrants settled in New York City. 8.