Sentence Structure

What is a Clause? A clause is a group of words that contains both and subject and verb. There are two clauses DEPENDENT and INDEPENDENT. DEPENDENT clauses have a subject and verb, but they do not make sense by themselves. They depend on something else in order to make sense. INDEPENDENT clause have a subject and verb and are complete thoughts. They can stand alone.

Example Dependent Clause Before we start After the sun went down While we waited When we were younger

Example Independent Clauses We will say a prayer. We made a bonfire on the beach. We listened to our I-pods. We played silly games.

Simple and Compound Sentences Simple Sentence = ONE independent clause and NO dependent clauses. –Ex. Brandy’s favorite assignment is writing. Compound Sentence = Two or more independent clauses and NO dependent clauses. –Ex. Brandy likes to write; she loves the challenge.

Complex Sentences Complex Sentence = ONE independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. –Ex. When we went fishing, I had no luck. –Ex. The president of student council, who is my best friend, is a true leader. –Ex. I love the way she sings because she sounds like an angel.

Kinds of Dependent Clauses Adjective Clause = a dependent clause used as an adjective. It answers the questions: what kind, which one, how many, or how much. Adjective clauses usually start with words such as: who, whom, whose, that, or which. Ex. Max is a student who likes to learn.

Kinds of Dependent Clauses Adverb Clause = a dependent clause used as an adverb. It answers the questions: where, when, why, how, to what extent, and under what conditions. Adverb clauses usually start with words such as: before, because, or when. Ex. Because the weather was bad, school was cancelled.

Kinds of Dependent Clauses Noun Clause – a dependent clause uses as a noun. It can be used as a subject, P.N., D.O., I.O., or O.P. Noun clauses can start with words such as: that, whomever, whichever, what, or who. Ex. Whoever is making that noise must stop!

Compound-Complex Sentences A compound-complex sentence = TWO or more independents clause and one or more dependent clauses. –Ex. While we were waiting, she challenged me to a game of tic-tac-toe, and I won!