Punctuating Adjective & Adverb Clauses

Standards ELA8C1 Identifies and writes correctly punctuated adjective and adverb clauses.

Adjective Clause An adjective clause is used to describe a noun. Ex: The Car, which was red, belonged to Katie. Birthday’s, which are great, only come once a year.

Non-defining clauses: give extra information about the noun, but they are not essential. Ex: The desk in the corner, which is covered in books, is Ms. Ferrel’s. Our junior year, which has been a ton of fun, is coming to an end.

Defining clauses: gives essential information about the noun. Ex: The present that arrived this morning was for Ms. Whitmire. The test that is tomorrow will be very difficult.

Adverb Clauses An adverb clause contains a subject and a full verb. Sometimes called “adverbial clauses” Ex: I saw the movie before I left for Savannah. Christina always studies before a big test.

Common Adverb Clauses Place Ex: Wherever Ms. Conner is, there are students learning nearby. Time Ex: After this lesson is over, we will celebrate Ms. Whitmire’s birthday! Cause Ex: Jenny didn’t call the boy, because she was shy.

Common Adverb Clauses Purpose Ex: Secrest goes to college, so that she can become a teacher! Concession Ex: Although Kathy has a degree in nursing, she wants to be a teacher. Condition Ex: If Heather saves her money, then she can buy her wedding dress.

What is the Difference? Adjective Clause- clause that describes a noun with either essential (defining) or unessential information (non-defining). Adverb Clause- a phrase that contains a subject and a verb and answers a question.

Adjective or adverb? Spring break, which went by too fast, was fun. Next spring we will start our student teaching!! Although Stephanie is a full time student, she works three jobs. I Am Legend, which came out in March, and starred Will Smith.

Relative Pronouns- An adjective clause usually begins with a relative pronoun That Which Who Whom whose

Punctuation- Adjective Clauses Use commas to set off non-essential clauses. Example: Miep, who gave Anne writing paper, hid Anne’s diary from the Nazis

Punctuating- Essential Clauses Do not set off by commas

Subordinating Conjunctions- Adverb clauses usually begin with subordinating conjunctions How If In order that Since So that Than Though Unless until After Although As if As long as As soon as As though Because before When Whenever Where Wherever Whether while

Punctuate- based on where it is located in the sentence. If it begins the sentence then it is followed by a comma Examples: When March came, the huge ice flow began to melt and break up. Because I had a sore throat, I could not audition for the school play.

Sources http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/advcls.htm http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/adjhtm

Ms. Conner’s Movie Review of Adjective and Adverb Clauses!