Transcript CLAUSES

Identifying and Using
CLAUSES correctly
Elements of Grammar, Chapter 17
Identifying Clauses
 A clause is a word group that contains a verb and its
subject and that is used as part of a sentence. Every
clause has both a subject and a verb (unlike a
phrase, which does not contain one or the other).
However, not every clause expresses a complete
thought.
SENTENCE: A cockapoo is a dog that is part cocker
spaniel and part poodle.
CLAUSE: A cockapoo is a dog. (complete thought)
CLAUSE: that is part cocker spaniel and part poodle
(incomplete thought)
Independent and
Subordinate Clauses
 An independent (or main) clause expresses a
complete thought and can stand by itself as
sentence.
EXAMPLE: I like Indian food, but my sister prefers
Chinese or Thai dishes. (2 independent clauses)
 A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not
express a complete thought and cannot stand by
itself as a sentence.
EXAMPLE: before Tim arrived…Combine this clause
with an independent clause in order to complete the
meaning: Before Tim arrived, we had washed ten
The Adjective Clause
 An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that
modifies a noun or a pronoun.
 An adjective clause usually follows the word or
words it modifies and tells what kind or which one.
EXAMPLE: The Incas, who were great weavers, often
used threads spun of birds’ feathers and gold.
‘who were great weavers’ is the adjective clause which
modifies the noun Incas
Relative Pronouns
 An adjective clause is usually introduced by a
relative pronoun such as that, which, who, whom, or
whose. It can also be introduced by a relative adverb,
such as when or where.
EXAMPLE: Have you seen the African sculptures that
are on display at the museum?
EXAMPLE: Do you know the street where the
museum is located.
Essential and Nonessential
Clauses
 Depending on how it is used, an adjective clause is
either essential or nonessential. An essential clause
provides information that is necessary to the
meaning of the sentence.
EXAMPLE: Everyone who played for Coach
Mendoza last year attended the banquet.
 A nonessential clause provides additional information
that can actually be omitted. It is set off by commas.
EXAMPLE: Coach Mendoza, who has gained the
respect of his students, will retire next year.
The Noun Clause
 A noun clause is a subordinate clause that is used as
a noun. A noun clause may be used as a subject, a
predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect
object, and object of a preposition or an appositive.
EXAMPLES:
How the Colosseum was built was the topic of
discussion. (Subject)
I know that hieroglyphics were used by the ancient
Egyptians. (DO)
Give the money to whomever you want. (Obj. of
Prep.)
The Adverb Clause
 An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that
modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. An
adverb clause tells how, how much, when, where, why,
to what extent, or under what conditions.
EXAMPLES:
Before you leave Japan, take a picture of the family
with whom you stayed.
The rice paddies were dry because the rains had not
come.
Daryl plays the guitar better than he plays the violin.
Practice: Identify the following
as Adjective or Adverb Clauses
1. The people at Xerox, who called their adaptation
an Ethernet, cut the cost of installation with new
wiring techniques.
2. ARPAnet is an acronym that stands for Advance
Research Projects Agency Network.
3. Provided that you have a library card, you can
access the Internet at many public libraries.
4. You can even go to an Internet café and have a snack
while you browse the World Wide Web.
Answers
1. ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
2. ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
3. ADVERB CLAUSE
4. ADVERB CLAUSE