Clauses and Sentence Structure

Phrase vs. Clause Phrase – a group of words that acts in a sentence as a single part of speech Clause – a group of words that has a subject and a predicate and that is used as a part of a sentence

Two Types of Clauses Main (Independent) Clause – has a subject and a predicate and can stand alone as a sentence Subordinate (Dependent) Clause – has a subject and a predicate but can not stand alone as a sentence

Main Clauses (Also called Independent Clauses) Every sentence MUST have a main (independent) clause Sentences may have more than one main clause, each with its own subject and verb, that may stand alone as a sentence

Subordinate Clause (Also called Dependent clause) Subordinate clauses must be attached to a main clause in order to make sense. Subordinate clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Four Types of Sentence Structure Simple Sentence Compound Sentence Complex Sentence Compound-Complex Sentence

Simple Sentence Contains only one main clause and no subordinate clauses May have compound subject, compound predicate, or both May contain multiple modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, prepositional phrases, appositives, verbal phrases, and complements)

Example of Simple Sentence Reading thrills my mind. What is the main clause?

Compound Sentence Contains two or more main clauses but no subordinate clauses Each main clause has its own subject and verb Usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction

Example of Compound Sentence Reading thrills my mind, and music dances in my soul. What are the two main clauses?

Complex Sentence Contains one main clause and one or more subordinate clauses

Example of Complex Sentence While reading thrills my mind, music dances in my soul. What is the main clause? What is the subordinate clause(s)?

Compound-Complex Sentence Contains more than one main clause and at least one subordinate clause Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions or relative pronouns **Look for these tip-off words

Example of Compound-Complex Sentence While reading thrills my mind, music dances in my soul; and my heart expands with joy. What is the main clause(s)? What is the subordinate clause(s)?

Formula for Sentence Structure Simple = 1 main clause, 0 subordinate clauses Compound = 2 main clauses, 0 subordinate clauses Complex = 1 main clause, 1 or more subordinate clauses Compound-Complex = 2 main clauses, 1 or more subordinate clauses

Sentence Practice Read each of the following sentences and determine which sentence structure each represents.

Compound Sentence Many students want to attend college, but very few can afford the tuition.

Complex Sentence If students get a loan, they will be in debt.

Complex Sentence After they graduate, they must pay back the loan.

Simple Sentence How many years will it take to pay back the money?

Simple Sentence One student, a graduate of Rock Falls High School, needed twenty years to be free of debt.

Compound-Complex Sentence Your parents may help you, but since college is expensive, you may still need a loan.

Complex Sentence I hope that you will all succeed in school.

Types of Subordinate Clauses Adjective Adverb Noun

Adjective Clauses Adjective Clause = a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun Usually follows the word that it modifies Introduced by a relative pronoun or one of two subordinating conjunctions Relative pronouns = who, whom, whose, which, that Subordinating conjunctions = when or where Sometimes relative pronoun is omitted at beginning of an adjective clause May be an essential or nonessential clause

Essential vs. Nonessential Clauses Essential or restrictive clauses Makes the meaning of the sentence clear May not be removed without altering the meaning Often introduced by relative pronoun that Nonessential or nonrestrictive clauses Not needed to make the meaning of the sentence clear May be removed without altering the meaning Set off by commas May be introduced by relative pronoun which

Adverb Clauses Adverb Clause = a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb Tells when, where, how, why, to what extent, or under what conditions Begins with a subordinating conjunction May be placed before or after the main clause Elliptical Adverb Clauses have words left out of them. These words are understood or implied.

Example of Elliptical Adverb Clause Paige can run faster than I. Elliptical Clause = than I [can run]. The idea of I can run is implied but omitted.

Noun Clauses Noun Clause = subordinate clause used as a noun and may function as the subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, predicate nominative, or appositive Introduced by words such as that, what, whatever, who, whom, whose, which, whoever, if, how, when, whenever, why, etc. Introductory word is sometimes omitted from a noun clause

Four Kinds of Sentence Purposes Declarative sentence Makes a statement Normally ends with a period Imperative sentence Gives a command or makes a request Has “you” understood subject Usually ends with a period but may be exclamation point Interrogative sentence Asks a question Ends with a question mark Exclamatory sentence Expresses strong emotion Ends with exclamation point

Sentence Fragment Fragment – a group of words lacking one of the following: a subject, a verb, or a complete thought Look especially for a word group that contains a verbal (participle, gerund, or infinitive) or a subordinate clause.

Run-on Sentence Run-on sentence – two or more complete sentences written as though they were one sentence 3 Types of Run-ons 1. Comma splice – occurs when two main clauses are joined by a comma rather than a semicolon or a period 2. No punctuation – occurs when two main clauses are run together with no punctuation 3. No comma before coordinating conjunction – occurs when two main clauses are joined without a comma prior to the coordinating conjunction