1. Clauses and Sentence Structure

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

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

8. 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)

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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)?

14. 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

15. 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)?

16. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

26. Types of Subordinate Clauses
Adjective
Adverb
Noun

27. 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

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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.

31. 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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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