Clauses

Independent Clauses
The independent clause expresses a complete thought and has a subject and a
verb. It is a main thought of the sentence and can stand alone correctly as a
simple sentence without anything attached to it.
Example:
The artist signed her name to the paining before she sold it.
Although he spoke too softly, we heard him.
Gas prices will rise if the supply is limited.
Dependent Clauses
The dependent (or subordinate) clause is dependent for its understanding upon
the independent (main) clause. A dependent clause when standing alone is not a
complete sentence.
Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun.
The whole clause will act as an adjective, describing and giving more
information about a noun or pronoun.
A relative pronoun usually introduces an adjective clause. Relative pronouns
signal that a clause is a subordinate clause and cannot stand alone.
Relative Pronouns
that, which, who, whom, whose, whoever, what
Example: Eds bicycle, which he bought on sale, is a mountain
bike. The underlined adjective clause tells more
about Eds bicycle.
Example: He paid a price that was really low.
The underlined adjective clause tells more about the
price that he paid.

Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective,
or an adverb. The whole clause will act like an adverb.
An adverb clause tells where, when, how, why, to what extent, or under what
condition.
A subordinating conjunction introduces an adverb clause.
Subordinating Conjunctions
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as soon as

as though
because
before
how
if
in order that

since
so that
than
though
unless
until

when
whenever
where
wherever
whether
while

Example: He will leave when he is ready.

The underlined adverb clause tells when he will leave.
Example: If it does not rain tomorrow, we will go to the lake.
The underlined adverb clause tells under what
condition we will go to the lake.
Noun Clauses
Noun clauses perform the same functions in sentences that nouns do:
1. A noun clause can be a subject:
What Billy did shocked his friends.
2. A noun clause can be an direct object:
Billys friends didnt know that he couldnt swim.
3. A noun clause can be a predicate nominative:
Billys mistake was that he refused to take lessons.
4. A noun clause can be an object of a preposition:
Mary is not responsible for what Billy did.
Words that introduce noun clauses
How
When
Whoever
If
Where
Whom
That
Whether
Whomever
What
Which
Whose
Whatever
Who
Why

PRACTICE:
Determine which type of clause is underlined.
1. Some people buy expensive cars simply because they can.
2. Many people hope that Canada can resolve its economic problems.
3. The bankers need to know what they should do.
4. Which one is the person who stole your car?
5. Wherever there is a large American city, there will be poverty.
6. The books which the professor assigned were very expensive.
7. Canada might give up its marketing boards if the European Community
gives up its grain subsidies.
8. This is where Wolfe's and Montcalm's armies fought.
9. Unless the crown can make a better case, the accused murderer will not
be convicted.
10. It is important to ask whether the wedding is formal or semi-formal.