Independent and Dependent Clauses
Grammar Rules Guide - Chapter 16
A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate. There are two types of clauses: independent and dependent.
An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, while a dependent clause must be accompanied by an independent clause.
Independent Clauses
Two independent clauses can be connected by:
1) A coordinating conjunction: Today is Tuesday and our papers are due Wednesday.
2) A conjunctive adverb or another transitional expression: I need to study for my test; in fact I am going to the library now. (In this case, use a semicolon to separate the two clauses.)
3) A correlative conjunction: George not only finished his paper on time, but he also got an A+.
4) A semicolon: This is one of my English classes; Shakespeare is my other.
5) A colon (sometimes): She received the assignment: it is to be turned in next Friday.
Dependent Clauses
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, in order to make the relationship clear, follow the noun or pronoun they modify.
Example: Our class, which meets at 9:00 in the morning, discusses the importance and use of grammar in our schools. (An adjective clause modifies the noun class.)
Adverb clauses modify single words (verbs, adjectives, or adverbs) or entire phrases or clauses. They always begin with a subordinating conjunction. Adverb clauses answer the questions how? where? when? why? and to what extent? Adverb clauses appear in any of several places in the sentence as long as the relationship is clear and its position conveys the intended purpose.
Example: Confused, after class was over, Susan decided to meet with her group to discuss the paper. (An adverb clause modifies the participle confused.)
Noun clauses act as nouns in sentences (subjects, direct objects, indirect objects, or compliments). They may begin with a relative pronoun or by, whether, when, where, why, or how.
Examples: Finishing the assignment was the hardest thing I have ever done. (A noun clause serves as the subject of the sentence.) This grade is what I deserve. (A noun clause serves as the subject complement.)
Grammar Rules Guide Index
Active and Passive Voice - Chapter 1
Adjective, Adverb, and Noun Clauses - Chapter 2
Adjectives - Chapter 3
Adverbs - Chapter 4
Appositives - Chapter 5
Auxiliary Verbs - Chapter 6
Common and Proper Nouns - Chapter 7
Comparatives and Superlatives - Chapter 8
Complements - Chapter 9
Conjunctions - Chapter 10
Conjunctive Adverbs - Chapter 11
Dangling Modifiers - Chapter 12
Direct and Indirect Objects - Chapter 13
Fused Sentences, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices - Chapter 14
Homophones - Chapter 15
Independent and Dependent Clauses - Chapter 16
Interjections - Chapter 17
Mass and Count Nouns - Chapter 18
Misplaced Modifiers - Chapter 19
Noun and Pronoun Case - Chapter 20
Noun and Verb Phrases - Chapter 21
Nouns - Chapter 22
Parallelism - Chapter 23
Perfect and Progressive Verb Forms - Chapter 24
Prepositional Phrases - Chapter 25
Prepositions - Chapter 26
Principal Parts of Verbs - Chapter 27
Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement - Chapter 28
Pronouns - Chapter 29
Regular and Irregular Verbs - Chapter 30
Relative Clauses - Chapter 31
Restrictive and Non-Restrictive Clauses - Chapter 32
Sentence Fragments - Chapter 33
Sentence Types - Chapter 34
Subjects and Predicates - Chapter 35
Verb Mood - Chapter 36
Verbals and Verbal Phrases - Chapter 37
easyfuncandlebiz.com homeandcareers.com ocnsignal.com walking101.com wicksworks.com