Sentence structure. It all begins with the clause! 1. An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

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1 Sentence structure It all begins with the clause! A CLAUSE is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. Kate noted the day s events in her journal. (subject) (verb) 1. An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. Kate noted the day s events in her journal. 2. A DEPENDENT (SUBORDINATE) CLAUSE does not express a complete thought and cannot stand alone as a sentence. Most dependent clauses are introduced by words like although, before, because, so that, when, while, and that. before she went to bed. A dependent clause can be joined to an to add to the complete thought that the expresses. Kate noted the day s events in her journal before she went to bed. Some writers keep journals so that they can remember details about events. Why are clauses important in writing? The kinds and numbers of clauses used in a sentence determine what kind of sentence has been written. It is important to use a variety of clauses and a variety of sentences when writing. 1

2 A. An adjective CLAUSE is a used as an adjective which modifies a noun or a pronoun. It tells what kind, which one, how many, or how much. An adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun: who whom whose that which Devon Kim is a climber who likes challenges. His hardest climb, which took him three days, is Mount Whitney. NOTEWORTHY: Use commas to set off adjective clauses when the information is NOT necessary to the understanding of the sentence. B. An Adverb CLAUSE is a used as an adverb. It modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. An adverb clause tells where, when, how, why, to what extent, or under what conditions. It is introduced by a subordinate conjunction: after as though so that whenever although because than where as before though wherever as if even though unless while as long as if until as soon as since when They checked their gear before they started the climb. They were cautious because ice made the trails slippery. Devon worries about the weather more than Andy does. When Devon started his climb, the weather was good. NOTEWORTHY: An adverb clause should be followed by a comma when it comes before an. When an adverb clause comes after an, a comma is not needed. Because the weather was bad, Devon canceled the climb. Devon canceled the climb because the weather was bad. 2

3 C. A NOUN CLAUSE is a used as a noun. Like a noun, a noun clause can serve as a subject, a direct object, an indirect object, an object of the preposition, or a predicate noun. subject direct object indirect object predicate noun object of a preposition That the dedicated actor practiced her role every day surprised no one. The director determined who would design the set. The set designer gave whoever helped a bonus. A love of theatre is what motivates her. She takes great satisfaction in whatever they perform. Words that introduce noun clauses: that how when where whether why what whatever who whom whoever whomever which whichever NOTEWORTHY: If you can substitute the word something or someone for a clause in a sentence, it is a noun clause. The director determined who would design the set. The director determined someone. 3

4 Kinds of sentences 1. Simple sentences contain one only. Milika sings. Ben competes at chess every day after school. 2. compound sentences contain two or more s. Malika sings every day, and she practices with the choir. Noteworthy: Independent clauses can be joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction or by a semicolon. The choir rehearsed late on Tuesday, and the director praised their hard work. The choir rehearsed late on Tuesday; the director praised their hard work. Coordinating conjunctions which join s: and or nor for but yet so 3. Complex sentences contain one and one or more s. (Mr. Hernandez, (who is a professional story teller), performs at many different festivals.) (When Mr. Hernandez performs), (he enchants the audience). Subordinate clause (Young people love the way he tells stories) (because he changes his voice and wears costumes). 4

5 4. compound-complex sentences contain two or more s and one or more s. (While she was fishing), (Amy saw many deer), and (she tried not to disturb them). (Amy unhooked the salmon from the line), and (she threw it back into the stream) (so that it could live). Notes: 5