1. Clause combination
IND + DEP

2. definition
A clause combination is a formula that characterizes a sentence.
Every clause combination has three elements:
The number of independent clauses in the sentence (IND);
A plus sign (“+”);
The number of dependent clauses in the sentence (DEP).
Clause combination = IND + DEP
Every sentence has a clause combination with these three elements.

3. IND+DEP
The three elements of a clause combination always appear in this order: IND+DEP.
In terms of clause combination, 1+2 ≠ 2+1.
How do two such sentences differ?
The first sentence has only one independent clause (1+2) while the second has two (2+1).
In addition, the first sentence has two dependent clauses (1+2) while the second has just one (2+1).
Maintaining the proper order of the elements is essential.

4. How many clauses in a sentence?
How does one determine the number of clauses in a sentence?
Fact: Every clause has its own subject-verb combination.
Number of clauses = number of subject-verb combinations
To determine the number of clauses in a sentence, identify the number of subject-verb combinations in the sentence.
Once you know the number of subject-verb combinations, you know the number of clauses.
Then you can determine the clause combination.

5. Example 1 Consider this example:
Every clause has its own subject-verb combination.
How many subject-verb combinations appear in this example?
Subject-verb combinations = 1
1 subject-verb combination = 1 clause:
Every clause has its own subject-verb combination
subject
verb 1
clause (common noun)
has

6. Example 1: another view

7. Example 2 Consider this example:
At 8:00 a.m., Theo rinsed their bowls in the sink, placed the milk and juice back in the fridge, walked to the den, and kissed his mom on the cheek. (Grisham, 2011, p. 4)
subject-verb combinations…
1 subject-verb combination = 1 clause
subject
verb 1
Theo (proper noun)
rinsed…placed…walked…kissed

8. Example 2: another view

9. Example 3 Consider this example:
It was early spring and the air was crisp and cool. (Grisham, 2011, p. 5)
subject-verb combinations…
2 subject-verb combinations = 2 clauses.
subject
verb 1
It (pronoun)
was 2
air (common noun)
clause 1
It was early spring 2
the air was crisp and cool

10. Example 3: another view

11. Example 4 Consider this sentence:
When she saw him she smiled and put a hand over her mouth. (Grisham, 2011, p. 7)
subject-verb combinations…
2 subject-verb combinations = 2 clauses
subject
verb 1
she (pronoun)
saw 2
smiled…put
clause 1
When she saw him 2
she smiled and put a hand over her mouth

12. Example 4: another view

13. Example 5 Consider this sentence:
She had moved to Strattenburg three years earlier when her husband, also from Cameroon, took a job at the local college where he taught languages. (Grisham, 2011, p. 17)
subject-verb combinations…
subject
verb 1
She (pronoun)
had moved 2
husband (common noun)
took 3
he (pronoun)
taught

14. Example 5 (continued) Consider this sentence:
She had moved to Strattenburg three years earlier when her husband, also from Cameroon, took a job at the local college where he taught languages. (Grisham, 2011, p. 17)
3 subject-verb combinations = 3 clauses
clause 1
She had moved to Strattenburg three years earlier 2
when her husband, also from Cameroon, took a job at the local college 3
where he taught languages

15. Example 5: another view

16. Example 6 Consider this sentence:
Some of her clients were from Central America, and when Theo saw them at the office he was ready to practice. (Grisham, 2011, p. 17)
subject-verb combinations…
subject
verb 1
Some (pronoun)
were 2
Theo (proper noun)
saw 3
he (pronoun)
was

17. Example 6 (continued) Consider this sentence:
Some of her clients were from Central America, and when Theo saw them at the office he was ready to practice. (Grisham, 2011, p. 17)
3 subject-verb combinations = 3 clauses
clause 1
Some of her clients were from Central America 2
when Theo saw them at the office 3
he was ready to practice

18. Example 6: another view

19. Example 7 subject-verb combinations… Consider this sentence:
You have a crucial eyewitness whose testimony could potentially change the outcome of the trial, and you have one person who knows about this eyewitness. (Grisham, 2011, p. 186)
subject-verb combinations…
subject
verb 1
You (pronoun)
have 2
testimony (common noun)
could…change 3
you (pronoun) 4
who (pronoun)
knows

20. Example 7 (continued) Consider this sentence:
You have a crucial eyewitness whose testimony could potentially change the outcome of the trial, and you have one person who knows about this eyewitness. (Grisham, 2011, p. 186)
4 subject-verb combinations = 4 clauses
clause 1
You have a crucial eyewitness 2
whose testimony could potentially change the outcome of the trial 3
you have one person 4
who knows about this eyewitness

21. Example 7: another view

22. Clause combination Every sentence has a clause combination.
Clause combination = IND + DEP
Maintaining the proper order of the elements is essential.
In terms of clause combination, 1+2 ≠ 2+1.
Number of clauses = number of subject-verb combinations
Once you know the number of subject-verb combinations, you know the number of clauses.
Then you can determine the clause combination.

23. References
Grisham, J. (2011). Theodore Boone: Kid lawyer. New York: Puffin Books.