Definition of a Clause: a group of words that contains a subject and a verb Example: Santa “Clause” brings gifts. So, in order to get gifts, we need the SANTA and the BRINGS right? Remember: We need the SANTA and the BRINGS to make a clause! Why? Because a clause must have a subject and a verb. Clause …not Santa

A. Independent Clause (IC) and B. Dependent (Subordinate) Clause (DC) There are two kinds of clauses:

A clause that expresses a complete thought and can stand alone. AKA A SENTENCE A. Independent

*he memorized a poem last night *Mary will read her poem *many people enjoy poetry Examples of Independent Clauses:

When an independent clause (IC) starts with a capital letter and ends with a period or question mark, it is a SENTENCE. *He memorized a poem. *Mary will read her poem at school. *Many people enjoy poetry.

It does not express a complete thought and It cannot stand by itself as a sentence Dependent (or subordinate ) clause (DC)

*because he memorized a poem *when Mary reads her poem at school *since many people enjoy poetry Examples of Dependent (Subordinate Clauses)

* Because he memorized a poem. *When Mary reads her poem at school tomorrow. *Since many people enjoy poetry. A dependent/subordinate clause (DC) will be a FRAGMENT when the clause begins with a capital letter and ends with a period or question mark. This is a grammatical ERROR!.

...because he memorized a poem… He memorized a poem. What makes one clause independent and another dependent?

…when Mary read her poem at school... Mary read her poem at school.

A clause is dependent/subordinate (DC) when it begins with a subordinate word. …a few examples… Who When While Which That Since Because Unless etc. etc. etc. Sometimes the subordinate word is understood to be present. What makes a clause dependent/subordinate?

Examples: April, which is my favorite month, is going to be cold this year. Subject of DC is “which.” Verb of DC is “is.” The flower that grew in my yard was a rose. Subject of DC is “that.” Verb of DC is “grew.” Sometimes the subject of the dependent/subordinate clause (DC) is a pronoun.

A dependent/subordinate clause (DC) needs an independent clause (IC) to create a true sentence.

Because he memorized a poem, Mike will receive extra credit. Mike will receive extra credit because he memorized a poem.

We will applaud when Mary reads her poem at school. When Mary reads her poem at school, we will applaud.

When the rain stops, the game will begin. Punctuation: When the dependent clause (DC) comes first, it is usually followed by a comma.

The game will begin when the rain stops. Punctuation: When the dependent clause (DC) comes last, there is generally no comma.

Ok, let’s practice! Who wants to form some clauses with me?