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What is a clause?
• A group of words that
contains a subject and a verb
• Two types: independent and
dependent
What is the difference
between a clause and a
phrase?
• clauses have subjects/verbs
and phrases do not
What is an independent clause?
• A clause that has a
subject and a verb
• It expresses a complete
thought
• Can stand alone as a
sentence
What is a dependent clause?
• Also known as a subordinate clause
• Has a subject and verb but CANNOT
stand alone as a sentence
• Does not express a complete thought
(fragment)
• Begins with a relative pronoun or
subordinating conjunction
• Is only part of a sentence; “dependent”
on the independent clause
• Three types: adjective, adverb, and noun
What is an adjective clause?
• A dependent clause that
modifies/describes a noun or pronoun
in the independent clause
• Tells what kind or which one
• Begins with a relative pronoun
• Examples:
– She is the one whom I want on my team.
– The book that my teacher assigned is
long.
What is an adverb clause?
• A dependent clause that modifies a verb,
adjective, or adverb
• Tells where, when, why, how, how much,
how often, how long
• Begins with a subordinating conjunction
• Examples:
– If I finish my homework, I can play my Wii.
– Please take out the trash when you walk the
dog.
What is a noun clause?
• A dependent clause that is
used a noun
• Can be used as a
– subject
– direct object
– indirect object
– object of a preposition
– predicate nominative
Words that Begin Noun
Clauses
•
•
•
•
•
Who
Whom
Whoever
Whomever
That
• Which
• Whether
•
•
•
•
•
•
What
When
How
Where
Why
Whatever
Tip for finding noun clauses
– Unlike adjective and adverb
clauses, noun clauses CANNOT be
taken out of a sentence.
– To determine if a group of words is
a noun clause or not, take it out of
the sentence and replace it with
the word someone or something.
– If the sentence still makes sense,
the group of words is a noun clause.
What is a noun clause? (cont’d)
• Examples:
– That Julie is angry is obvious.
– Three dollars was what he offered.
– The judges determined who won.
– The sheriff gave whoever
volunteered a flashlight.
– We agreed with whatever he said.