SIMPLE SENTENCE

A simple sentence, also called an independent clause, contains a subject and a

verb, and it expresses a complete thought. In the following simple sentences,
subjects are in yellow, and verbs are in green.

A. Some students like to study in the mornings.
B. Juan and Arturo play football every afternoon.
C. Alicia goes to the library and studies every day.
The three examples above are all simple sentences. Note that sentence B contains
a compound subject, and sentence C contains a compound verb. Simple sentences,
therefore, contain a subject and verb and express a complete thought, but they can
also contain a compound subjects or verbs.
COMPOUND SENTENCE
A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator.
The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The
first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short
sentences, coordinators are always preceded by a comma. In the following
compound sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green, and the
coordinators and the commas that precede them are in red.

A. I tried to speak Spanish, and my friend tried to speak
English.
B. Alejandro played football, so Maria went shopping.
C. Alejandro played football, for Maria went shopping.
The above three sentences are compound sentences. Each sentence contains two
independent clauses, and they are joined by a coordinator with a comma preceding
it. Note how the conscious use of coordinators can change the relationship
between the clauses. Sentences B and C, for example, are identical except for the
coordinators. In sentence B, which action occurred first? Obviously, "Alejandro
played football" first, and as a consequence, "Maria went shopping. In sentence C,
"Maria went shopping" first. In sentence C, "Alejandro played football" because,
possibly, he didn't have anything else to do, for or because "Maria went
shopping." How can the use of other coordinators change the relationship between
the two clauses? What implications would the use of "yet" or "but" have on the
meaning of the sentence?
COMPLEX SENTENCE
A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent
clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since,
after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which. In the
following complex sentences, subjects are in yellow, verbs are in green, and the
subordinators and their commas (when required) are in red.

A. When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the
teacher the last page.
B. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed the
error.
C. The students are studying because they have a test
tomorrow.
D. After they finished studying, Juan and Maria went to the
movies.
E. Juan and Maria went to the
movies after they finished studying.
When a complex sentence begins with a subordinator such as sentences A and D, a
comma is required at the end of the dependent clause. When the independent
clause begins the sentence with subordinators in the middle as in sentences B, C,
and E, no comma is required. If a comma is placed before the subordinators in
sentences B, C, and E, it is wrong.
Note that sentences D and E are the same except sentence D begins with the
dependent clause which is followed by a comma, and sentence E begins with the
independent clause which contains no comma. The comma after the dependent
clause in sentence D is required, and experienced listeners of English will
often hear a slight pause there. In sentence E, however, there will be no pause
when the independent clause begins the sentence.
COMPLEX SENTENCES / ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
Finally, sentences containing adjective clauses (or dependent clauses) are also
complex because they contain an independent clause and a dependent clause. The
subjects, verbs, and subordinators are marked the same as in the previous
sentences, and in these sentences, the independent clauses are also underlined.

A. The woman who called my mom sells cosmetics.
B. The book that Jonathan read is on the shelf.
C. The house which Abraham Lincoln was born in is still
standing.
D. The town where I grew up is in the United States.
Adjective Clauses are studied in this site separately, but for now it is important to
know that sentences containing adjective clauses are complex.

independent clause

A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. An independent clause
(unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.
Examples and Observations:
A clause is a group of words that [contains] a subject and a verb. There are two
major types:independent clauses and dependent clauses. An independent clause
can stand alone as a sentence, beginning with a capital letter and ending with
terminal punctuation such as a period. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as
a sentence; instead it must be attached to an independent clause."
(G. Lutz and D. Stevenson, The Writer's Digest Grammar Desk Reference,
2005)



"When liberty is taken away by force, it can be restored by force. When it is
relinquished voluntarily by default, it can never be recovered."
(Dorothy Thompson)



"The average man does not want to be free. He simply wants to be safe.
(H.L. Mencken)



"When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
(Ernest Hemingway)
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb
and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but
does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a
sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker
word.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What
happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)
Dependent Marker Word
A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an
independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very
noisy.
Some common dependent markers are: after, although, as, as
if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order
to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever,whether,
and while.
Connecting dependent and independent clauses
There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning
of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker
words.
1. Coordinating Conjunction
The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the
beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet.
When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a
coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating
conjunction:
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to
concentrate because of the noise.
main clause
A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. A main clause (unlike
a dependent orsubordinate clause) can stand alone as a sentence. A main clause is
also known as anindependent clause.
When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.
(Ernest Hemingway)
T h e S u b o r d i n a t e C l a u s e
Recognize a subordinate clause when you see one.
A subordinate clausealso called a dependent clausewill begin with
a subordinate conjunction or a relative pronoun and will contain both
a subject and a verb. This combination of words will not form a complete
sentence. It will instead make a reader want additional information to finish the
thought.
Here is a list of subordinate conjunctions:
after
although
as
because
before
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
even if
even though
if
in order that
than
that
though
unless
wherever
whether
while
why
Here are your relative pronouns:
that
which
whichever
who
whoever
whom
whose
whosever
whomever
Now take a look at these examples:
After Amy sneezed all over the tuna salad
After = subordinate conjunction; Amy = subject; sneezed = verb.
Once Adam smashed the spider
Once = subordinate conjunction; Adam = subject; smashed = verb.
Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of coffee
Until = subordinate conjunction; Mr. Sanchez = subject; has = verb.
Who ate handfuls of Cheerios with his bare hands
Who = relative pronoun; Who = subject; ate = verb.
Remember this important point: A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a
sentence because it does not provide a complete thought. The reader is left
wondering, "So what happened?" A word group that begins with a capital letter
and ends with a period must contain at least one main clause. Otherwise, you will
have written a fragment, a major error.
After Amy sneezed all over the tuna salad.
So what happened? Did Amy throw it down the garbage disposal or serve it on
toast to her friends? No complete thought = fragment.
Once Adam smashed the spider.
So what happened? Did Belinda cheer him for his bravery or lecture him on animal
rights? No complete thought = fragment.
Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of coffee.
So what happens? Is he too sleepy to work, or does he have a grumpy disposition?
No complete thought = fragment.
Who ate handfuls of Cheerios with his bare hands.
So what happened? Were the roommates shocked, or did they ask him to pass the
box so that they could do the same? No complete thought = fragment.
Correctly attach a subordinate clause to a main clause.
When you attach a subordinate clause in front of a main clause, use a comma, like
this:
S UB ORDI NAT E CL AUS E + , + MAI N CL AUS E .
Even though the broccoli was covered in cheddar cheese, Emily refused
to eat it.
Unless Christine finishes her calculus homework, she will have to
suffer Mr. Nguyen' s wrath in class tomorrow.
While Bailey slept on the sofa in front of the television, Samson, the
family dog, gnawed on the leg of the coffee table.
When you attach a subordinate clause at the end of a main clause, you will
generally use no punctuation, like this:
MAI N CL AUS E + + S UB ORDI NATE CL AUS E .
Tanya did poorly on her history exam because her best friend Giselle
insisted on gossiping during their study session the night before.
Jonathon spent his class time reading comic books since his average
was a 45 one week before final exams.
Diane decided to plant tomatoes in the back of the yard where the sun
blazed the longest during the day.
Punctuate carefully when the subordinate clause begins with a relative
pronoun.
Subordinate clauses can begin with relative pronouns [and thus are called relative
clauses, a type of subordinate clause]. When a subordinate clause starts
with who, whose, or which, for example, punctuation gets a little bit trickier.
Sometimes you will need a comma, and sometimes you won't, depending on
whether the clause is essential or nonessential.
When the information in the relative clause clarifies an otherwise general noun, the
clause isessential and will follow the same pattern that you saw above:
MAI N CL AUS E + + E S S E NT I AL RE L AT I VE CL AUS E .
Nick gave a handful of potato chips to the dog who was sniffing
around the picnic tables.
Dog is a general noun. Which one are we talking about? The relative clause who
was sniffing around the picnic tables clarifies the animal that we mean. The
clause is thus essential and requires no punctuation.
When a relative clause follows a specific noun, punctuation changes. The
information in the relative clause is no longer as important, and the clause becomes
nonessential. Nonessential clauses require you to use commas to connect them.
MAI N CL AUS E + , + NONE S S E NT I AL RE L AT I VE CLAUS E .
Nick gave a handful of potato chips to Button , who was sniffing around
the picnic tables.
Button, the name of a unique dog, lets us know which animal we mean. The
information in the relative clause is no longer important and needs to be separated
from the main clause with a comma.
Relative clauses can also interrupt a main clause. When this happens, use no
punctuation for an essential clause. If the clause is nonessential, separate it with a
comma in front and a comma behind. Take a look at these examples:
After dripping mustard all over his chest, the man who was wearing a
red shirt wished that he had instead chosen ketchup for his hotdog.
After dripping mustard all over his chest, Charles, who was wearing a
red shirt, wished that he had instead chosen ketchup for his hotdog.
Use subordination to combine ideas effectively.
Writers use subordination to combine two ideas in a single sentence. Read these
two simple sentences:
Rhonda gasped. A six-foot snake slithered across the sidewalk.
Since the two simple sentences are related, you can combine them to express the
action more effectively:
Rhonda gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the sidewalk.
If the two ideas have unequal importance, save the most important one for the end
of the sentence so that your reader remembers it best. If we rewrite the example
above so that the two ideas are flipped, the wrong point gets emphasized:
When a six-foot snake slithered across the side walk, Rhonda gasped.
A reader is less concerned with Rhonda's reaction than the presence of a giant
snake on the sidewalk!
1. (grammar) a clause that is the subject of a sentence
1.
o Example: "The cat with no tail" in "The cat with no tail ran across the
road.

) Subordinate Subject Clauses have the function of the subject to the predicate of
the main clause. They are introduced by:
- Conjunctions: That / Whether
- Conjunctive Pronouns: Who / What /Which
- Conjunctive Adverbs: When/ Where / How / Why
Eg: That he will come is certain.
Who broke the glass window remained unknown.
How she managed to do it seemed a mystery to me.
Sometimes, the impersonal pronoun it is used to introduce the subject clause:
Eg: It is necessary that we should all be present.
It is still unknown when we will come.
* The subject clauses are not separated by a comma.

) Subordinate Predicative Clauses have the function of the predicate. They are
introduced by the same conjunctions and if, conjunctive pronouns and adverbs as
in the subject clauses. The linking verb is in the main clause. The predicative
clause together with the linking verb forms a compound nominal predicate to the
subject of the main clause:
Eg: The question is whether it may rain or not.
It looks as if it were going to rain.
That is why she is so happy.


An adverbial clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb. In other
words, it contains a subject (explicit or implied) and a predicate, and it modifies
a verb.
I saw Joe when I went to the store. (explicit subject I)
He sat quietly in order to appear polite. (implied subject he)
According to Sidney Greenbaum and Randolph Quirk, adverbial clauses function
mainly as adjuncts or disjuncts. In these functions they are like adverbial phrases,
but due to their potentiality for greater explicitness, they are more often
like prepositional phrases (Greenbaum and Quirk,1990):
We left after the speeches ended. (adverbial clause)
We left after the end of the speeches. (adverbial prepositional phrase)
Contrast adverbial clauses with adverbial phrases, which do not contain a clause.
I like to fly kites for fun.
Adverbial clauses modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. For example:
Hardly had I reached the station when the train started to leave the platform.
The adverbial clause in this sentence is "when the train started to leave the
platform" because it is a subordinate clause and because it has the trigger word
(subordinate conjunction) "when".
Kinds of adverbial clauses
kind of
clause
common conjunctions function example
time
clauses
when, before, after,
since, while, as, as long
as, until,till, etc.
(conjunctions that
answer the question
"when?"); hardly,
scarcely, no sooner, etc.
These clauses are used
to say when
something happens by
referring to a period of
time or to another
event.
Her goldfish
died when she was
young.
conditional
if, unless, lest
These clauses are used If they lose weight
clauses to talk about a
possible or
counterfactual
situation and its
consequences.
during an illness,
they soon regain it
afterwards.
purpose
clauses
in order to, so that, in
order that
These clauses are used
to indicate the purpose
of an action.
They had to take
some of his land so
that they could
extend the
churchyard.
reason
clauses
because, since, as, given
These clauses are used
to indicate the reason
for something.
I couldn't feel
anger against
him because I liked
him too much.
result
clauses
so...that
These clauses are used
to indicate the result
of something.
My suitcase had
become so
damaged on the
journey home that
the lid would not
stay closed.
concessive
clauses
although, though, while
These clauses are used
to make two
statements, one of
which contrasts with
the other or makes it
seem surprising.
I used to read a
lot although I don't
get much time for
books now.
place
clauses
where, wherever,
anywhere, everywhere,
etc. (conjunctions that
These clauses are used
to talk about the
location or position of
He said he was
happy where he
answer the question
"where?")
something. was.
clauses of
manner
as, like, the way
These clauses are used
to talk about
someone's behaviour
or the way something
is done.
I was never
allowed to do
things as I wanted
to do them.

Adverb Clause of Manner 10 September 2002

As the name suggests, an adverb clause of manner tells us 'how' you do
something. As all adverbs and adverb clauses modify the verb, telling
us 'how' we do something, this is the most difficult to understand. The
connectors used in an adverb clause of manner are as, as if, and as
though. They all have the same meaning.

For example:
Good students come to class on time as the teacher tells them to.
He ate as if he were starving for months.
She acts as if it's a joke.
When someone's pager goes off in the cinema, Sam looks as though he
wanted to tear the owner to pieces.
'As if' and 'as though' have a sense of comparison. However, the
comparison can be either realistic or unrealistic. If it's realistic, we use
normal tenses of the verbs to agree with the main clause. If it's not, we
use 'more past'.
) Adverb Clause of Time
We use adverb clause of time to modify verb in main clause and to tell the time
that an action takes place.
Subordinating Conjunctions: when, whenever, anytime, before, after, till, until,
while, since, just as, as soon as, as often as, now that, as long as
Example:
- She ran away while I was sleeping.
- While I was sleeping, she ran away.
b) Adverb Clause of Place
We use adverb clause of place to modify verb in main clause and to tell the place
that an action takes place.
Subordinating Conjunctions: where, as far as, as near as, wherever, anywhere
Example:
- She is always drunk wherever I meet her.
- Wherever I meet her, she is always drunk.
c) Adverb Clause of Manner
We use adverb clause of manner to modify verb in main clause and to tell how an
action takes place.
Subordinating Conjunctions: as if, as though, as
Example:
- The boy speaks as if he is sick.
- As if he is sick, the boy speaks.
d) Adverb Clause of Cause/Reason
We use adverb clause of cause/reason to modify verb in main clause and to tell the
cause that an action takes place.
Subordinating Conjunctions: because, as, for, that
Example:
- I come here because I want to meet you.
- Because I want to meet you, I come here.
e) Adverb Clause of Condition
We use adverb clause of condition to modify verb in main clause and to tell the
condition that an action takes place or someone does something.
Subordinating Conjunctions: if, whether, if not, unless, supposing that,
provided that, in the condition that, as long as that
Example:
- I will commit suicide unless you love me.
- Unless you love me, I will commit suicide.
f) Adverb Clause of Purpose
We use adverb clause of purpose to modify verb in main clause and to tell the aim
that someone does something or something happens.
Subordinating Conjunctions: so that, in order that,
Example:
- I tell him everyday in order that he can remember.
- In order that he can remember, I tell him everyday.
REMEMBER:
Sometimes we can use so as to, in order to to stand instead of so that, in order
that.
Sentence + so that / in order that + subject + verb
+ complement.
Sentence + so as to / in order to + verb +
complement.
Example:
- I bring my dictionary with me in order that I can check.
- I bring my dictionary with me in order to check.
g) Adverb Clause of Result/Consequence
We use adverb clause of result/consequence to modify verb in main clause and to
tell the result that someone does something or something happens.
Subordinating Conjunctions: that is used to recognize adverb clause of result
Subject + verb + so + adjective/adverb + that +
subject + verb + comp
Example:
- She is so hungry that she has lunch early.
- That she has lunch early, she is so hungry.
Subject + verb + such + noun(s) + that + subject
+ verb + complement
Example:
- She acts such a rude manner that no man loves her.
- That no man loves her, she acts such a rude manner.
h) Adverb Clause of Concession/Contrast
We use adverb clause of concession/contrast to modify verb in main clause and it
is introduced by the below-written subordinating conjunctions:
Subordinating Conjunctions: though, however, even though, even if, although,
so, in spite of the fact that, the fact that, despite that, whether or, granted that,
whoever, whatever, whichever, no matter what, whereas, while
Example:
- I have never committed crime although I am poor.
- Although I am poor, I have never committed crime.
i) Adverb Clause of Degree
We use adverb clause of degree to modify verb in main clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions: according to as, according to how
Example:
- She will be paid according to how she works.
- According to how she works, she will be paid.
j) Adverb Clause of Means
We use adverb clause of means to modify verb in main clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions: by the fact that, by whatever means, by what
means.
Example:
- You can recognize her easily by the fact that she speaks loudly.
- By the fact that she speaks loudly, you can recognize her easily.
k) Adverb Clause of Comparison
We use adverb clause of comparison to modify verb in main clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions: small, fast, hard, slow, late
Subject + verb + as + adjective/adverb + as +
subject + verb + comp
Example:
- Your book is as small as my book is.
- You speak as fast as she does.
Sub + verb + adj/adv-er /more-adj/adv + than +
sub + verb + comp
Example:
- She runs faster than I do.
- They speak more fluently than he does.
Posted by Chhorn Khea
Labels: CLAUSES
Adverb Clause of Concession

Definition & Usage
This states something opposed to the main clause but does not deny its validity. It
is introduced by 'although', 'even though', 'even if', 'while', 'whereas','however',
'whatever'.
Examples
1. He is determined to go through with his plans even if he loses everything as a
result.

2. Even though we treat her kindly, she is suspicious of us.

3. Bob could not find the asnwer to the physics question, however hard he tried.

Adv e r bi a l c l a us e o f c o ndi t i o n
Discuss the meaning of the word condition. This clause tells ussomething that
may happen under certain conditions. Note alsothe use of the subjunctive mood.
You would need to go to hospital if you were bitten by a venomousspider.
in the case that
Finite verbs
: would need, were bitten
Main clause
: you would need to go to hospital
Conjunction
: if
Subordinate clause
: you were bitten by a venomous spiderAdverbial clause of
condition
, modifying the verb would need inthe main clauseComplex sentence
Adv e r bi a l c l a us e o f r e s ul t
This clause tells us something which happened as a result of another happening.
My sister likes insects, so she reads about them in the encyclopedia.
as a result
Finite verbs
: likes, reads
Main clause
: my sister likes insects
s taken.

Read the following sentence.

Because he likes his master, he helped his master.

In this sentence, why he helped his master has been answered by the Adverb-
Clause because he like his master. Such an Adverb-Clause may be of Adverb-
Clause of Cause or Reason type.

I did this work, because this work is part of my educational project.

In this sentence, why I did this work has been answered by the adverb-clause
because this work is part of my educational project.

The Adverb-Clauses of Cause or Reason will begin with because, since, as that
etc

Examples:

In the following sentences the Adverb-Clauses of Cause or Reason have been
colored blue. The Adverb Clause of Purpose may indicate the purpose which the
verb may address.

Examples:

We have to eat so that we may live.

Here the Adverb-Clause so that we can live is the purpose for which we eat.

That means the verb eat is addressing the purpose.

Such an Adverb Clause of Purpose will begin with

1.So that
2.In order that
3.In order to
4.Lest
etc

I will give you a map so that you can find the way to your relatives house.

In this sentence also the purpose for giving the map has been noted in the sentence
in the form of an adverb-clause.

Such is the nature of an Adverb-Clause-of-Purpose. I did not buy it because I did
not like the look of it.
Because he is rich, he thinks he can buy all of us juices.

I am glad that you like this town.

As he was not there, he spoke to his brother.

He was very pleased that you got admission in to this university.