Clauses Help

Clauses Help

A clause is also a group of words, but it differs from a phrase in that it has its own subject and verb. Therefore, some clauses function as sentences, either independently or within a larger sentence. One sentence might contain, or even be entirely composed of, as many as three or more clauses. The sentence would be a combination of two possible kinds of clauses, independent and subordinate.

Tip: Too many simple sentences can make your conversation or writing choppy and dull. Increase listener/reader interest by adding a few clauses that supply new facts or vivid descriptions.

Independent Clauses

Sometimes referred to as a main clause, an independent clause can stand alone as a simple sentence.

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With the help of a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction, we can join these two independent clauses to form a single sentence.

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Don't confuse the comma with the semicolon. Joining the two clauses with a comma instead of a semicolon would result in what is called a comma splice.

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As mentioned before, some sentences may contain as many as three or more independent clauses.

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Subordinate Clauses

A subordinate clause, or dependent clause, also contains a subject and verb, but it cannot stand alone as a simple sentence. It depends on another clause in the sentence to help it do its job. Subordinate clauses look like independent clauses but they can begin with subordinating conjunctions.

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Subordinate clauses can also begin with relative pronouns.

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When attaching a subordinate clause to the front of a main, or independent, clause, it is necessary to use a comma between the two clauses.

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When attaching a clause to the end of a main clause, no comma is needed.

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Subordinate clauses can function as three different parts of speech: a noun, an adjective, or an adverb.

Noun Clauses

We know that nouns can play many roles. They can be subjects, predicate nominatives, direct objects, appositives, indirect objects, or objects of prepositions. Some words that begin noun clauses are question-starters like who, what, where, when, why, how, as well as the words that, whether, whom, whoever, and whomever.