Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses
Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent Clause
An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.
Dependent Clause
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)
Dependent Marker Word
A dependent marker word is a word added to the beginning of an independent clause that makes it into a dependent clause.
When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.
Connecting dependent and independent clauses
There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words.
1. Coordinating Conjunction
The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction:
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.
2. Independent Marker Word
An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word.
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.
Some common independent markers are: also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.Some Common Errors to Avoid
Comma SplicesA comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.
Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.
- Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting.
- (or) I like this class; it is very interesting.
- (or) I like this class, and it is very interesting.
- (or) I like this class because it is very interesting.
- (or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.
Fused sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. This error is also known as a run-on sentence. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.
Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her.
- Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her.
- (or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her.
- (or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her.
- (or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.
Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.
Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today.
- Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study.
- (or) I forgot the exam was today.
Exercise:
Recognize
the independent clause and the dependent clause in each sentence below.
1. Because
he ran, he was able to catch the bus.
2. Until
the sun sets, I will stay with you.
3. As the
lights dim, I will say good-bye.
4. Wherever
he might go, I will follow him.
5. So long
as you know, I will be waiting for you.
6. How he
got elected, shows his determination.
7. If the
dress is on sale, she will buy it.
8. Whenever
you come to visit, make sure to bring food.
9. Unless
you have the right size, don’t try it on.
10. When we
get snow, we will go sledding.
Practice:
http://depts.dyc.edu/learningcenter/owl/exercises/clauses_ex1.htm
Adjective Clause
An adjective clause is a dependent clause that, like an adjective, modifies a noun or pronoun. Adjective clauses begin with words such as that, when, where, who, whom, whose, which, and why.An essential (or restrictive) adjective clause provides information that is necessary for identifying the word it modifies. A nonessential (or nonrestrictive) adjective clause provides additional information about the word it modifies, but the word’s meaning is already clear. Nonessential clauses are always set off with commas.
When deciding whether to include the word that or which in an adjective clause, remember to use that for essential clauses and which for nonessential clauses:
Essential clause:
The art class that Lucas takes focuses on design.
(That Lucas takes is an essential adjective clause. It contains the subject Lucas and the verb takes. The clause modifies the noun class, providing necessary information about it.)Nonessential clause:
The house on the left, which belongs to Nicole, is up for sale.
(Which belongs to Nicole is a nonessential adjective clause. It contains the subject which and the verb belongs. The clause modifies the noun house, providing additional, nonessential information about it.)Adjective Clause Examples
We’re going to the beach that I like the best.
(That I like the best is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb like. The clause modifies the noun beach.)
Mr. Jackson is the teacher who helped me with my math problems.
(Who helped me with my math problems is an adjective clause. It contains the subject who and the verb helped. The clause modifies the noun teacher.)
The bad weather is the reason why I decided to drive instead of walk.
(Why I decided to drive instead of walk is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb decided. The clause modifies the noun reason.)
Mia is the person whose family owns a horse ranch.
(Whose family owns a horse ranch is an adjective clause. It contains the subject family and the verb owns. The clause modifies the noun person.)
This is the park where we can walk the dogs.
(Where we can walk the dogs is an adjective clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase can walk. The clause modifies the noun park.)
Do you remember the time when we almost missed the swim meet?
(When we almost missed the swim meet is an adjective clause. It contains the subject we and the verb missed. The clause modifies the noun time.)
Guillermo went to the studio where he takes glassblowing lessons.
(Where he takes glassblowing lessons is an adjective clause. It contains the subject he and the verb takes. The clause modifies the noun studio.)
Max, who is Marissa’s older brother, just got back from a trip to Jamaica.
(Who is Marissa’s older brother is an adjective clause. It contains the subject who and the verb is. The clause modifies the noun Max.)
Monday is the day when I have my doctor’s appointment.
(When I have my doctor’s appointment is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb have. The clause modifies the noun day.)
Derek is the sibling to whom I am closest.
(To whom I am closest is an adjective clause. It contains the subject I and the verb am. The clause modifies the noun sibling.)PRACTICE:
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/adj.htm
Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause is a type of dependent clause modifies an adjective, an adverb, or a verb or verb phrase. Adverb clauses begin with words such as after, although, because, before, if, since, than, until, when , and while .
Adverb Clause Examples
I will stay at the house until you arrive .
( Until you arrive is an adverb clause. It contains the subject you and the verb arrive . The clause modifies the verb phrase will stay .)
When they arrived at the station , they ran to get the train.
( When they arrived at the station is an adverb clause. It contains the subject they and the verb arrived . The clause modifies the verb ran .)
If Cheryl wants to come along , she can meet us at the theater.
( If Cheryl wants to come along is a dependent clause. It contains the subject Cheryl and the verb wants . The clause modifies the verb phrase can meet .)
The movie was better than I expected it to be .
( Than I expected it to be is an adverb clause. It contains the subject I and the verb expected . The clause modifies the adjective better .)
Because we bought the items on sale , we got a really good deal.
( Because we bought the items on sale is an adverb clause. It contains the subject we and the verb bought . The clause modifies the verb got .)
My cell phone does not work well when the temperature gets too low .
( When the temperature gets too low is an adverb clause. It contains the subject temperature and the verb gets . The clause modifies the adverb well .)PRACTICE
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/advcls.htm
Noun Clauses
A noun clause is a type of dependent clause that acts as a noun. Noun clauses begin with words such as how, that, what, whatever, when, where, whether, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whomever , and why . Noun clauses can act as subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, predicate nominatives, or objects of a preposition.Noun Clause Examples
Whoever wants to go fishing should come with us.
( Whoever wants to go fishing is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb wants . The clause acts as a subject in the sentence.)
In class, we learned how bats use sonar to locate objects .
( How bats use sonar to locate objects is a noun clause. It contains the subject bats and the verb use . The clause acts as a direct object in the sentence.)
Samantha’s biggest fear is that she will trip onstage .
( That she will trip onstage is a noun clause. It contains the subject she and the verb phrase will trip . The clause acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying fear .)
I was wondering about what time we should leave .
( What time we should leave is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase should leave . The clause acts as an object of the preposition about in the sentence.)
He will give whoever wins the contest a special prize.
( Whoever wins the contest is a noun clause. It contains the subject whoever and the verb wins . The clause acts as an indirect object in the sentence.)
The real challenge is how we are going to satisfy our client .
( How we are going to satisfy our client is a noun clause. It contains the subject we and the verb phrase are going . The clause acts as a predicate nominative in the sentence, identifying challenge .)
No comments:
Post a Comment