Transcript Subordinate clauses

ENTC 3030
Sentences
Sentences: Complete and
Otherwise

Sentences are composed of phrases
and clauses.
• A phrase is a group of related words that
•
does not contain a subject and a verb.
A clause is a group of related words that does
contain a subject and a verb.

The subject-verb sets are essential units
of communication.
Clauses

There are two types of clauses, and
clause type is determined by
conjunction type:
• Main clauses begin with coordinating
conjunctions or none.
• Subordinate clauses begin with
subordinating conjunctions.
Conjunctions and imitators

Coordinating conjunctions don't alter the
grammatical rank of the words or word groups that
they connect:
• for,
• and,
• but,
• or,
• nor,
• so,
• yet

Subordinating conjunctions
subordinate the clauses they begin,
• so a clause that begins with a subordinating
conjunction is automatically a subordinate
clause.

"Subordinate" implies dependence on
the main clause, suggesting a hierarchy
in terms of both grammar and meaning:
• main ideas in main clauses and subsidiary
•
ideas in subordinate clauses will
communicate most clearly.
Note that subordinating conjunctions are
extremely useful when they're used correctly
because they explain how ideas relate.
Here's a partial list of
subordinators:
• after,
• although,
• as,
• because,
• before,
• if,
• once,
• since,
• though,
• unless,
• until,
• when,
• whenever,
• where,
• wherever,
• while.

Adverbial conjunctives (also known
as conjunctive adverbs) are often
mistaken for conjunctions, but
conjunctions create a grammatical link
as well as an intellectual one;
• adverbial conjunctives create only the latter.

Thus, they are fine transition tools, but
they cannot replace conjunctions in
sentence structure and function.

This partial list will give you an idea of
common adverbial conjunctives:
• however,
• therefore,
• thus,
• consequently,
• furthermore.

Relative pronouns may act as subordinating
conjunctions:
• that,
• which,
• who,
• what,
• whoever,
• whom,
• whose.

Subordinators may also be phrases:
• as if,
• as soon as,
• as though,
• even though,
• in that,
• in order that,
• no matter how,
• so that.
Sentences

Main clauses may stand alone as
complete sentences, which is why
they're also called "independent
clauses."
• When they are combined in a sentence,
they must be connected by coordinating
conjunctions or semicolons in order to
form correct sentences.

Subordinate clauses must be
combined with at least one main clause
to form a complete sentence, which is
why they’re termed "dependent clauses.“

Every sentence, therefore, must have at
least one main clause.

Incomplete sentences
• Run-ons: main clauses without appropriate
•
conjunctions
Fragments: no main clauses
Sentence types

Simple: one main clause

Complex: one main clause, one or
more subordinate clauses

Compound: more than one main
clause, no subordinate clauses

Compound/complex: more than one
main clause, at least one subordinate
clause
EXERCISE: Identify the
sentence types.
Frogs hop.
 Puerto Rican tree frogs live in
bromeliads.
 Looking for salamanders involves
turning over rotten logs, handling
numerous slimy things, and
frequently getting wet.

We found the frogs, but we lost our
equipment.
 Although the fieldwork was
exciting, it was also tiring.
 I know that writing is necessary,
but fieldwork is more fun.

The current was swift, he could not
swim with his pack on.
 Although he thought he could until
that time. Returning once again, to
the rainforest, seeking specimens.
 For example, rare toads, exotic
lizards, strange insects.

Only a few stars came out, for the
moon was bright; the sky was as
bright as day, the moon was like the
sun, and the stars were unable to
compete.
 Only a few stars came out because
the moon was bright even though it
was only a crescent.

Rainforest soil lacks nutrients and
minerals.
 When the trees are cut, crops
cannot be grown successfully.


Corporations planning to use the
land for grazing are often
disappointed, however the
rainforest continues to disappear.