Clauses
Remember: A clause must have both a subject and a verb. Sometimes – often – other words are included as well, but they are not required.
Common Core standard L.7.1.a
Independent Clause
What it is: An independent clause can stand on its own. It is better known as a complete sentence.
Example: The dog ran across the street. I don’t know the answer. Katarina is a beautiful dancer.
Why it matters: The most important thing to keep in mind with independent clauses is that they need both a subject and a verb – otherwise it’s a phrase! When writing, make sure that each sentence contains at least one independent clause in order to be grammatically correct.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause DEPENDS on the rest of the sentence. It cannot stand alone. It usually starts with a word such as “that,” “who,” “which,” “when,” “because,” and others. If you’re interested in learning more about the words that start dependent clauses, check out relative adverbs, relative pronouns, and subordinating conjunctions.
Practice! Are the following clauses independent or dependent?
Which she could not stand.
The flowers are blooming.
Where we are going.
Because she didn’t lie.
We never knew that!
Answers
Dependent
Independent
Dependent
Dependent
Independent
Noun Clause
What it is: I believe that noun clauses are the most versatile of the dependent clauses. A noun clause depends on the rest of the sentence, but it serves its own purpose within that sentence.
Example: He never said where we are going. Which shirt to wear is the question. The dress, which was too small, was returned.
What it does: Noun clauses can function as a subject, direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, object of a preposition, or appositive within the sentence.
Why it matters: Using noun clauses is a great way to add more detail to your sentence. It’s also a way to lengthen a sentence. This is especially important if you have just written a bunch of short sentences.
Find the noun clause. What is it acting as?
The fact that you did not do your homework does not escape me.
My teacher explained to me how professional dancers exercise.
The question is what will we do next?
How aspiring writers finish an entire novel is an interesting topic.
The kids built a pretend rocket ship with whatever they could find.
Answers
That you did not do your homework -> appositive
How professional dancers exercise -> direct object
What will we do next -> predicate nominative
How aspiring writers finish an entire novel -> subject
Whatever they could find -> object of preposition
Adjective Clause
What it is: An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. Some adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns, while others start with relative adverbs. Don’t let the adverb label fool you, though. If a clause describes a noun, it’s an adjective clause.
Examples: The shirt that you lent me will be returned on Tuesday. The people who belong to that club are surprisingly nice! Do you know the time when our plane leaves?
How to find it: Look for a clause that modifies (describes) the noun that comes before it. Remember, adjective clauses are dependent, so they will not stand on their own.
Fun fact: An adjective clause that starts with a relative pronoun joins noun or pronoun to another noun or pronoun. An adjective clause that starts with a relative adverb will join a noun to a verb.
Why it matters: Adjective clauses give more information about nouns and pronouns. Although a sentence might be grammatically correct without them, often their elimination causes a lot of confusion regarding the content of the sentence.
Practice! Find the adjective clause. Bonus: What noun does it modify?
The man who is wearing a red shirt will be our tour guide.
This isn’t the book that I ordered.
Do you know the reason why we can’t go to the movies?
I still live in the house where I grew up.
That’s the band whose name I can’t remember.
Answers
Who is wearing a red shirt (man)
That I ordered (book)
Why we can’t go to the movies (reason)
Where I grew up (house)
Whose name I can’t remember (band)
Adverb Clause
What it is: Adverb clauses join the verb of the main clause to the verb of the dependent adverb clause. They start with a subordinating conjunction.
Examples: If you do your homework, you will get a good grade. I brought an umbrella because I saw rain clouds. Although Stuart tried his hardest, he just couldn’t keep the bowling ball out of the gutter.
How to find it: Adverb clauses are surprisingly easy to find once you recognize the subordinating conjunctions. I remember them by the made-up acronym AAAWWWWUUBBIS – say it out loud! The letters stand for: after, although, as, when, while, whenever, wherever, until, unless, before, because, if, since. Once you find the subordinating conjunction, follow the sentence to the end of the clause.
A note: Before, after, until, when, while, and as do double duty. Not only are they subordinating conjunctions, but they are also relative adverbs. These words introduce adverbial clauses of time. (This distinction probably isn’t important unless you’re diagramming the sentence.)
Another note: When the adverb clause is at the beginning of the sentence, there is a comma. (Note the example in the previous sentence.) Sentences that do not start with a subordinating conjunction and adverb clause do not have a comma – unless needed for another reason.
Why it matters: Adverb clauses are great for showing temporal (time) or causal relationships between ideas.
Practice: Find the adverb clause.
While you work on your project, I’m going to make meatloaf.
Stuart decided to make cookies after he arrived home.
Since Jimothy got the highest score on the test, his parents took him out to celebrate.
The girls at the party didn’t talk to Bertha until she started dancing like a chicken.
Stuart needs to ask you a question about the homework because he wasn’t paying attention.
Answers
While you work on your project
After he arrived home
Since Jimothy got the highest score on the test
Until she started dancing like a chicken
Because he wasn’t paying attention