CLAUSESINDEPENDENT & SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

ADJECTIVE CLAUSES & RELATIVE PRONOUNS

ADVERB CLAUSES & SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

CLAUSES

A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.

An independent clause can stand alone independently as a sentence.

A subordinate clause, sometimes referred to as a dependent clause, cannot stand alone because it does not express a complete thought. It needs help to be a complete sentence.

Examples of Clauses

Independent Clause

• The band marched in the homecoming parade. subject: band verb: marched

expresses a complete thought

Subordinate (dependent) Clause

• While the cheerleaders rode on a float behind them

subject: cheerleaders verb: rode

does not express a complete thought

needs help to become a sentence

Subordinate Clauses

Subordinate or dependent clauses add extra information to sentences, and they often begin with words like who, which, that, because, when, if, while, until, before, and after.

Examples: • when the weather gets coldWhen the weather gets cold, I wear sweaters.• before the movie beginsI want to get some popcorn before the movie begins.

Adjective Clauses

An adjective clause is always a subordinate (dependent) clause that describes a noun or pronoun. It contains both a verb and its subject. An adjective clause usually follows the word or words it modifies. It tells…•which one•what kind

Example of Adjective Clause

a red rose – an example of a descriptive adjectivea rose with red petals – an example of an adjective phrase

a rose that has red petals = adjective clauserose – noun the clause is describing

has – verb

Relative Pronouns

HINT: Adjective clauses begin with relative pronouns. The relative pronoun relates the adjective clause to the noun or pronoun it describes.

Commonly Used Relative Pronouns

that which who whom whose

Examples of Adjectives Clauses Beginning with Relative Pronouns

•A snorkel is a hollow tube THAT lets a diver breathe underwater.•Gary Paulsen is the writer WHO is the author of

Hatchet and Brian’s Winter.• The team’s mascot, WHICH is a bulldog, is called Uga.

Adverb Clauses

An adverb clause is always a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. Adverb clauses typically answer the questions…• How?•When?•Where?•Why?• How much?• How long?

Example of Adverb Clause

Bravely, Jason battled a dragon. “Bravely” is simply an adverb in the sentence above.

With great bravery, Jason battled a dragon. “With great bravery” is an adverb phrase.

Because Jason was brave, he battled a dragon. Jason – a noun subject was – a verb “Because Jason was brave” is an adverb clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions

HINT: Adverb clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions.

Commonly Used Subordinating Conjunctionsafter as much as how than whenalthough as soon as if though wheneveras as though in order that whereas if because since unless whereveras long as before so that until while

Examples of Adverb Clauses Introduced by Subordinating Conjunctions

• AFTER the sun had risen, we left for the cabin.

• Late yesterday afternoon, BEFORE the deer left the field, we took photos of them.

• Please remain quiet WHILE the students exit the building.