Clauses and Types of Sentences

Clause  A group of words that has a subject and a verb and is used as part of a sentence.

Types of Clauses  Independent – Main – expresses a complete thought-EX-I watched the Super Bowl.  Subordinate – Needs help –Dependent- Can’t stand alone-After I watched the Super Bowl

Types of Sentences  Sentences are classified by the number and types of clauses

Simple Sentence  One independent clause  Ex-I watched the super bowl.

Compound Sentence  Two independent clauses joined by either a comma and a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon  EX-I watched the super bowl, and I ate chips.  EX-I watched the super bowl; however, I forgot the chips.

Coordinating Conjunctions  F A N B O Y S-Join two independent clauses (with a comma) to form compound sentences.  For  And  Nor  But  Or  Yet  So

Complex Sentence  One independent clause and at least one subordinate clause

Subordinate Clauses  Adjective  Adverb

Adjective Clause  Begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, that, which)  Usually modifies the noun directly before it.

Adjective clauses continued  Tells which one or what kind  Example: The quarterback who threw the interception lost the game.  (Modifies quarterback; tells which one)

Restrictive clauses  A restrictive clause is necessary in order for the sentence to make sense, or is at least necessary to identify the noun. (That is, it “restricts” the noun or pronoun.)  Ex: Anyone who finds the lost dog should call the humane society. (Not just “anyone” should call-only the person who has found the dog.)

Non-restrictive Clauses  A non-restrictive clause add information or description, but such a clause is not necessary in order to identify the noun.  Ex: Laurie, who was a good social studies student, decided to show the map to her teacher. (No restrictive clause is needed because Laurie is identified by name.)

Punctuation Notes  A non-restrictive clause is set off by commas, but a restrictive clause is not.

Adverb Clause  Begins with a subordinating conjunction such as after, as, because, if, since, when  Describes a verb, adjective, or adverb of the independent clause.

Adverb clauses continued  Answers the questions When? Where? In what way? To what extent? Under what conditions? or Why?  Tells when, where, how or why something happened.  Example: I turned on the TV before the Super Bowl started. (Modifies turned; tells when)

Compound-Complex Sentence  Two independent clauses and at least one subordinate clause. The clauses are connected using correct punctuation.

Let’s see if you were listening…  What are the five types of relative pronouns?  What are the coordinating conjunctions?  What type of clause is necessary in the sentence? Does it require commas?  What is a compound sentence? Complex? Compound Complex?  What are three subordinating conjunctions? What type of clause do they begin?  What questions do adverb clauses answers?