Clauses A clause is a group of words with its own subject and verb.

Clauses An independent clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence. –Robert E. Perry reached the North Pole in 1909, but this claim is still in dispute. A subordinate clause cannot stand by itself and must function as a part of a sentence. –He reached the pole on a sled that was pulled by dogs.

Independent or Subordinate? 1.Icy winds blew. 2.He shivered. 3.Because night was falling as was the temperature. 4.Which caused him to make his way to shelter. 5.Please stay warm and dry!

Adjective Clauses An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun by telling what kind or which one. It is usually connected to the word it modifies by a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whom, or whose) or a relative adverb (after, before, since, when, where, or why) – Arctic winters, which are long and cold, are severe. – The Arctic is a region where life is difficult.

Adjective Clauses Like participial and appositive phrases, adjective clauses are set off by punctuation only when they are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. – NONESSENTIAL: The ship, which was a nuclear submarine, became the first vessel to pass beneath the North Pole. – ESSENTIAL: The first vessel that passed beneath the North Pole was a nuclear submarine.

Adverb Clauses Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or verbals by telling where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why. Modified WordsExamples VerbThe Yukon entered Canada’s confederation after a gold rush brought 100,000 people to the territory. AdjectiveThe miner’s children were nervous whenever their father entered a tunnel. AdverbToday’s dig lasted longer than the one yesterday. ParticipleThe miners, cheering whenever someone made a strike, were excited. GerundDigging wherever miners thought there was gold has left the Yukon full of old mines. InfinitiveThe tired miners wanted to relax after the workday ended.

Adverb Clauses Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or verbals by telling where, when, in what way, to what extent, under what condition, or why. Modified WordsExamples VerbThe Yukon entered Canada’s confederation after a gold rush brought 100,000 people to the territory. When did they enter? AdjectiveThe miner’s children were nervous whenever their father entered a tunnel. When were the children nervous? AdverbToday’s dig lasted longer than the one yesterday. How long (to what extent) did today’s dig last? ParticipleThe miners, cheering whenever someone made a strike, were excited. When did the miners cheer? GerundDigging wherever miners thought there was gold has left the Yukon full of old mines. Where did the miners dig? InfinitiveThe tired miners wanted to relax after the workday ended. When did the miners want to relax?

Noun Clauses A noun clause is a subordinate clause that acts as a noun. Whoever travels the Pelly River follows in the footsteps of the explorer Robert Campbell. You must pack whatever you will need. You should give whoever waits at the camp a copy of your route. Robert Campbell settled trading camps in whatever regions the Hudson’s Bay Company sent him. At 40, Campbell’s most notable achievement was that he established Fort Selkirk.

Sentences Classified by Structure A simple sentence consists of a single independent clause. A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon. A complex sentence consists of one independent– or main– clause and one or more subordinate clauses. A compound-complex sentence consists of two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.

Simple Sentences Ellis Island was the first stop for many immigrants to America. Ed and I checked and rechecked our answer.

Simple Sentences Ellis Island was the first stop for many immigrants to America. Ed and I checked and rechecked our answer.

Compound Sentences My brother bought some stamps yesterday, and he mounted them in his stamp collection. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were the subject of a border dispute between New York and New Jersey; both monuments rest on islands between the two states.

Compound Sentences My brother bought some stamps yesterday, and he mounted them in his stamp collection. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island were the subject of a border dispute between New York and New Jersey; both monuments rest on islands between the two states.

Complex Sentences The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Our band, which won the trophy, will perform after the game is over. The largest historic restoration in the United States was performed by whoever restored the main building on Ellis Island.

Complex Sentences The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was founded in Our band, which won the trophy, will perform after the game is over. The largest historic restoration in the United States was performed by whoever restored the main building on Ellis Island.

Compound-Complex Sentences I ran down the path to the spot where it divides, and then I turned back. After it was restored, Ellis Island received a $20 million endowment, but charitable contributions, which come from many sources, are still being accepted.

Compound-Complex Sentences I ran down the path to the spot where it divides, and then I turned back. After it was restored, Ellis Island received a $20 million endowment, but charitable contributions, which come from many sources, are still being accepted.