Download A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and predicate

Types of Independent & Dependent Clauses
A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and predicate. There are two types of clauses, the independent
clause and the dependent clause.
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
For example:
It rained on Saturday night.
A dependent clause, also referred to as a subordinate clause, cannot stand alone. It depends upon additional
information for completion.
For example:
Because of the storm
Which took all day
Dependent clauses can be either adjective, adverb, or noun clauses based on how they are used in a sentence.
Adjective (or relative) clauses modify nouns or pronouns and follow the noun or pronoun they modify (relate
to). Usually an adjective clause begins with a relative pronoun: who, whose, whom, that, or which.
For example:
This land was a patch of dust, which was only good for grazing sheep, when he bought it.
Adverb clauses modify single words (verbs, adjectives, or adverbs) or entire phrases or clauses. They always
begin with a subordinate conjunction, such as: because, although, since, unless, when, after, so that, where,
while.
Adverb clauses answer the questions how? where? when? why? and to what extent? They may appear in several
places in the sentence.
For example:
After students, teachers, and custodians have gone, the building will be deserted.
Noun clauses act as nouns in sentences. They can function as the subject, object, or a predicate nominative.
Usually a noun clause begins with a subordinating word such as: that, how, whatever, why.
For example:
That she was trapped forever became clear to the explorer.
Introduction to Types of Sentences
The four types of sentence structures include simple, compound, complex, and compound complex.
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence contains one independent clause.
For example:
Coach Madison supported Louis and the team.
Becky and Louis left town on Friday morning.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses, jointed by a coordinating conjunction
(and, but, or, so) or a semicolon.
For example:
Mr. and Mrs. Banks supported Louis, but Mr. Jasper criticized his emotional outburst.
The small town was in an uproar; their team had been defeated.
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence contains one independent and one or more dependent (subordinate) clauses.
For example:
Because the coach acted unfairly, Louis refused to play with the team.
The class performed the one act play which Marion had written.
Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence combines two or more independent clauses and at least one dependent
(subordinate) clause.
For example:
Although our team feared the opposition, they played exceptionally well, and they almost won the game.
Transitions
Dependent clauses, or subordinate clauses, have both a subject and a verb, but can't stand alone because they
begin with a dependent word. These dependent words are called "A White Bus" words (subordinating
conjunctions).
Dependent clauses at the beginning of sentences must be followed with a comma and an independent clause in
order to be complete sentences.
A White Bus words: (A) after, although, as, as long as, as soon as, (W) when, wherever, where, whenever, while,
(H) how, (I) if, in order, (T) that, though, (E) even though, even if, ever since, (B) because, before, (U) unless,
until, (S) since, so, so that.
Ex. After she stubbed her toe. (This is a dependent clause because it begins with a white bus word- after. We
must add a comma and an independent clause to make it a complete sentence.)
Ex. After she stubbed her toe, she hobbled back to her desk.
Transition Words (Conjunctive Adverbs)
Addition
besides, finally, first, furthermore, in addition,
last, moreover, next
Comparison
also, likewise, similarly
Contrast
Even though, however, instead, nevertheless,
on the other hand, otherwise, though, yet
Example or Illustration
after all, for example, for instance, in other
words, in short, specifically, to illustrate, thus
Summary
all in all, finally, in other words, therefore
Time Sequence
afterward, before, earlier, eventually, lately
meanwhile, next, now, soon, then until
Coordinating Conjunctions
FANBOYS – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so are coordinating conjunctions and are used to connect equal
words, phrases or clauses.