Clauses and

Types of

Sentences

Clause

A group of words that has a subject and a verb and is used as part of a sentence.

Types of Clauses

Independent – Main –expresses a complete thought-EX-I watched the Super Bowl.

Subordinate – Needs help –Dependent- Can’t stand alone-After I watched the Super Bowl

Types of

Sentences

Sentences are classified by the number and types of clauses

Simple

Sentence

One independent

clause

Ex-I watched the

super bowl.

Compound

Sentence

Two independent clauses joined by either a comma and a coordinating conjunctionor a semicolon

EX-I watched the super bowl, and I ate chips.

EX-I watched the super bowl; however, I forgot the chips.

Coordinating Conjunctions

F A N B O Y S-Join two independent clauses (with a comma) to form compound sentences.

For

And

Nor

But

Or

Yet

So

Complex Sentence

One independent clause and at least one subordinate clause

Subordinate

Clauses

Adjective

Adverb

Adjective Clause

Begins with a relative pronoun (who, whom, whose, that, which)

Usually modifies the noun directly before it.

Adjective clauses

continued

Tells which one or what kind

Example: The quarterback who threw the interceptionlost the game.

(Modifies quarterback; tells which one)

Adverb Clause

Begins with a subordinating

conjunction such as after, as,

because, if, since, when

Describes a verb, adjective, or

adverb of the independent

clause.

Adverb clauses continued

Answers the questions When? Where? In what way? To what extent? Under what conditions? or Why?

Tells when, where, how or why something happened.

Example: I turned on the TV before the Super Bowl started. (Modifies turned; tells when)

Compound-Complex

Sentence

Two independent clauses

and at least one

subordinate clause. The

clauses are connected

using correct punctuation.

Let’s see if you were

listening…

What are the five types of relative pronouns?

What are the coordinating conjunctions?

What type of clause is necessary in the sentence? Does it require commas?

What is a compound sentence? Complex? Compound Complex?

What are three subordinating conjunctions? What type of clause do they begin?

What questions do adverb clauses answers?