CLAUSES

CHAPTER 8
By: Sharon Mendez Rodriguez

CLAUSE
A clause is a group of words with a
subject and a verb.
An independent (or main) clause
expresses a complete thought and can
stand by itself in a sentence.
A subordinate (or dependent)
clause does not express a complete
thought and cannot stand alone.

INDEPENDENT
CLAUSES
Each independent clause has its own subject and
verb and expresses a complete thought.
The soccer team traveled to Knoxville, and they
won their division.

In the example above the two independent clauses

are joined by a comma and the coordinating
conjunction and.

EXAMPLES OF
INDEPENDENT
CLAUSE
I stuffed all the envelopes, and Jessica
took
them to the post office.

I did all the work, but he took all the credit.

I am new at Power Point, but I like it!

SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
Words such as whom, because, what, if and until
signal that the clauses that follow them are
subordinate.
Subordinate clauses do not express complete thoughts
and cannot stand alone.

whom he asked
because he answered
what he had heard

EXAMPLES OF
SUBORDINATE
CLAUSES
The Officer whom he asked for directions
was
very kind.

Because he answered so politely, the man called

to compliment the officer.
The Chief of Police was pleased by what he had
heard.

USES OF
SUBORDINATE
CLAUSES

Subordinate clauses can be

used as adjectives, adverbs,
or nouns.

ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
Adjective clauses function just as
adjectives do.
Modify nouns
Modify pronouns
Adjective clauses are often introduced by relative
pronouns.
This is the class that I like the best. (Essential clause)
My classes, which meet in Room 209, are all freshman
classes. (Nonessential clause)
They are the ones whom I prefer to teach.

RELATIVE PRONOUNS
AND IMPORTANT
WORDS
whom
who
which

that
whoever

whose

These words are called relative pronouns because

they relate an adjective clause to the word that the
clause modifies. Besides introducing an adjective
clause and relating it to another word in the sentence,
the relative pronoun has a function in the adjective
clause.
Other important words:

When

where

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
POSITION
The adjective clause, because it describes a noun or
pronoun, can be found in these three positions in a
sentence:
After the subject
After the object of the verb
After the object of the preposition

RULES FOR
ADJECTIVE CLAUSES
The adjective clauses goes immediately after the
noun or pronoun it modifies.
Where and when are never the subject of a clause.
Whose is always followed by a noun (because it is
possessive).
When a comma is a place after noun, that cannot be
used. You have to use which.
The verb in the adjective clause must agree in
number with the noun it modifies.

EXAMPLES OF USES
OF RELATIVE
John, who enjoys reading, won PRONOUNS
a membership to the
Book of the Month club.

(The relative pronoun who relates the adjective

clause to John. Who is used as the subject of the
adjective clause.)

CAREFUL
In many cases, the relative pronoun in the clause
may be omitted. The pronoun is understood and still
has a function in the clause.
Example: Here is the salad you ordered.
[The relative pronoun that is understood. The pronoun
relates the adjective clause to salad and is used as the
direct object in the adjective clause.]

THE ADVERBS JOB

Adverbs tell:
when
where
why
how
to what extent or degree
under what conditions

ADVERB CLAUSE
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that
modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
Example:
After I proofread my paper, I typed it.
[The adverb clause After I proofread my paper tells
when I typed it.]

SUBORDINATI
NG
CONJUNCTION
These words introduce
subordinate clauses. S

ADVERB CLAUSE
CONTINUED
Example:
Because manicotti takes so long to prepare, Joy
makes it only on special occasions.
[Because manicotti takes so long to prepare tells
why Joy makes it only on special occasions.]
Example:
You and your brother may come with us if you want
to. [if you want to tells us under what condition]

ADVERB CLAUSE
CONTINUED
Like adverbs, adverb clauses may also modify
adjectives or adverbs.
Examples:
His pitching arm is stronger today than it ever was.
[stronger (adj.) to what extent the arm is stronger]
My cousin Adele reads faster than I do. [faster (adv.)
how much faster my cousin Adele reads]

NOUN CLAUSES
A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a
noun.
They can be in any position where a noun could be
used.
A noun clause may be used as a:

Subject
Predicate nominative
Indirect object
Direct Object
Object complement
Object of preposition

EXAMPLES OF NOUN
CLAUSES
What Mary Anne did was brave and earned her
praise from everyone. [Subject]
The winner will be whoever runs fastest.
[Predicate Nominative]
She finally discovered what the answer was.
[Direct Object]
The clerk should tell whoever calls the sale prices.
[Indirect Object]
He checks the ID cards of whoever visits. [Object
of Preposition]

CLASSIFICATION BY
STRUCTURE
Structure refers to the number and types of clauses
in a sentence.

Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-complex

TYPES OF SENTENCE
STRUCTURES
Simple:
1 INDEPENDENT

Compound:
2 OR more INDEPENDENT

Complex:
1 INDEPENDENT + at least 1 SUBORDINATE

Compound-complex:
2 OR more INDEPENDENT + at least 1
subordinate

KNOW
Clauses
Noun
Adjective
Adverb
Relative
Pronouns

Subordinating
conjunctions

Sentence Structure

Simple
Compound
Compound-complex
Complex