1. CLAUSES AND SENTENCE STRUCTURE
English 11

2. introduction
Sentences may be classified according to FUNCTION as declarative, imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory.
Sentences may also be classified by STRUCTURE: this refers to the number of clauses and types of clauses in a sentence.
Independent and subordinate clauses are the building blocks of all sentences.
These clauses can be combined in an endless number of ways to form the four basic sentence structures: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

3. kinds of clauses
A clause has two characteristics: 1. It has a subject and a verb. 2. It is used as part of a sentence. There are two types of clauses: A) the independent (main) clause and B) the subordinate (dependent) clause

4. Kinds of clauses THE INDEPENDENT (MAIN) CLAUSE
1.expresses a complete thought
2.can stand alone as a sentence
3.has its own subject and verb
4.can be joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction , a semicolon and conjunctive adverb, as separate sentences, or with a semicolon used alone
EXAMPLES:
The night sky is clear, and the moon is full.
The boy is very smart; however, he never does his homework.
I hope it snows today; I don’t want to go to school tomorrow.

5. KINDS OF CLAUSES THE SUBORDINATE (DEPENDENT) CLAUSE
1.does not express a complete thought
2.cannot stand alone as a sentence
3.has its own subject and verb
4.MUST be joined to an independent clause to make a complete sentence
5.may appear at the beginning, the middle, or the end of a sentence
6.placement of a subordinate clause in a sentence depends on the type of clause (adjective, adverb, or noun)
EXAMPLES:
Because she felt sick today, she stayed home from school.
Joan Bennett, who is a girl from church, was hurt in the accident yesterday.

6. TYPES OF CLAUSES THE ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
DEFINITION: An adjective clause is a subordinate clause used as an adjective to modify a noun or a pronoun.
---follows the word it modifies in the sentence
---Essential adjective clauses which are necessary to the specific meaning of the sentence ARE NOT set off by commas; these essential clauses cannot be removed from the sentence or the meaning changes.
EX: That is the new music video that I like.

7. TYPES OF CLAUSES
---Nonessential adjective clauses which simply give additional or extra information ARE set off by commas; these nonessential clauses can be removed from the sentence without changing the main idea of the sentence. EX: Griffins, which are mythological beasts, are seen on many coats of arms.

8. TYPES OF CLAUSES
Adjective clauses are usually introduced by relative pronouns: WHO, WHOM, WHOSE, WHICH, THAT ---Relative pronouns relate an adjective clause to the word that the clause modifies. EX: She is the student who won the award last year. EX: The class that Lisa took in the fall was very difficult. ---Sometimes the relative pronoun is OMITTED; the pronoun is UNDERSTOOD to be there and still has a f unction in the clause. EX: He is the man you met last year at the party. What seems to be missing? The relative pronoun that is missing---He is the man (that) you met last year at the party. ---Sometimes adjective clauses are introduced by relative adverbs: WHERE and WHEN. EX: Fall is the season when I feel happiest.

9. TYPES OF CLAUSES function in the clause.
---Sometimes the relative pronoun is OMITTED; the pronoun is UNDERSTOOD to be there and still has a
function in the clause.
EX: He is the man you met last year at the party.
What seems to be missing?
The relative pronoun that is missing---He is the man (that) you met last year at the party.
---Sometimes adjective clauses are introduced by relative adverbs: WHERE and WHEN.
EX: Fall is the season when I feel happiest.

10. Sentences Classified by structure
When classifying a sentence by its structure, it may be classified as simple, compound, complex, or compound- complex.
(1)SIMPLE STRUCTURE
This means that the sentence has only ONE independent clause and NO subordinate clauses.
There may be a compound subject, a compound verb, and any number of phrases.
EXAMPLE: The boys on the go-cart had an accident three days ago.

11. SENTENCES CLASSIFIED BY STRUCTURE
(2) COMPOUND STRUCTURE
This means that the sentence has TWO or MORE independent clauses but NO subordinate clauses.
Remember that a compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a semicolon and conjunctive adverb and comma.
EXAMPLE: (Michelle is the president of the junior class); however, (her sister Susan is treasurer of the senior class).

12. SENTENCES CLASSIFIED BY STRUCTURE
(3)COMPLEX STRUCTURE
This means that the sentence has ONE independent clause and AT LEAST ONE subordinate clause (can be two or more).
EXAMPLE: (My little sister argued) (that the punishment was unfair).
EXAMPLE: (Because it is a rainy day today), (we canceled the plans for the picnic and went to the movies instead).

13. SENTENCES CLASSIFIED BY STRUCTURE
(4) COMPOUND-COMPLEX STRUCTURE
This means that the sentence has TWO or MORE independent clauses and AT LEAST ONE subordinate clause.
EXAMPLE: (We heard the rumors) (that were going around about Amanda), but (we hoped) (that they were false).
EXAMPLE: (Because it was a sunny day), (we decided to go to the beach); however, (we changed our minds after lunch).

14. Remember: IC means independent clause; SC means subordinate clause.
SIMPLE = 1 IC +0 SC
COMPOUND = 2 or more IC + 0 SC
COMPLEX = 1 IC + 1 or more SC
COMPOUND-COMPLEX = 2 or more IC + 1 or more SC