Download Dependent Clauses

Clauses: Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses
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A Clause is a group of words containing a subject-verb combination that may express a
complete thought, but—
Independent Clauses
—makes a complete statement
—communicates an idea by itself
Dependent Clauses
—modifies part of another clause
—does not communicate a complete thought
—may be part of another clause
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Independent Clauses
An independent clause, or called main clause, is a clause that can stand by itself, also
known as a simple sentence. An independent clause makes sense by itself. An
independent clause can be seen as a complete sentence, but a dependent clause cannot.
Two or more independent clauses can be joined by using a semicolon, or a comma plus a
coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, etc.).
※The comma splice and run-together sentence
The comma splice is a common error of using a comma instead of a period, semicolon,
or colon to separate the two sentences or two clauses you have joined.
Ex. The plant wilted, I forgot to water it.
 The plant wilted; I forgot to water it.
The plant wilted becauseI forgot to water it.
The run-together sentence is incorrect in grammar because it has no punctuation
between the two sentences or two clauses that have been joined.
Ex. My cat lost her ball I don’t know where.
 My cat lost her ball, but I don’t know where.
 My cat lost her ball. I don’t know where.
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Dependent Clauses
An independent clause is one that can stand alone as a sentence, but a dependent clause
cannot. Although a dependent clause has its subject and verb, it does not express a
complete thought, in its sentence meaning or grammar. According to the dependent
clause’s function in the sentence, there are three types of dependent clauses: noun clauses,
adjective clauses, and adverbial clauses.
Types of dependent clauses:
I. Noun Clauses
A noun clause functions as a noun; it can be a subject, complement, object, or appositive.
The introductory words of noun clauses include that, what, why whether, where, who,
which, and how.
Examples:
Noun clause as subject
That the teacher is strict is a rumor.
What she saw this morning was horrible.
How Tom won the final match became a popular issue.
Noun clause as object
Joe is interested in what David plans to do.
That was how Tom won the final match.
I know that Tom will eventually win the final match.
I had an accident and took my car to the garage. My husband asked me where my car
was.
II. Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause functions as an adjective, modifying a noun or a pronoun.
It was
commonly introduced by the relative pronouns who, which, that, or the relative adverbs
when, where, why.
Examples:
Jennifer is a girl who studies hard in college.【The adjective clause modifies “a girl”】
John finally went to the place where he was born.【The adjective clause modifies “the
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place“】
Tom has been thinking about the question why everybody left him.【The adjective clause
modifies “the question”】
III. Adverbial Clauses
An adverbial clause functions as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, adverbs, or
the whole idea expressed in the clauses. Some common introductory words of adverbial
clauses are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, since,
though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.
Examples:
When we go to Yosemite, I want to see the falls first.
Mary has been staying here since she came.
Although Michael has no money, he decides to go to college.
My brother made many sacrifices so that I could study abroad.
You will be overweight if you are not careful.
※Punctuation of clause
Introductory adverbial clauses are always set off by commas.
Examples:
Because Jane often held the microphone in KTV, we are declined to invite her.
Unless you make a request, your name will not be on the list.
In most of the cases, introductory independent clauses do not need commas to set off
from their adverbial clauses.
Examples:
We are declined to invite Jane because she often held the microphone in KTV.
Your name will not be on the list unless you make a request.
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