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UNIT #2
CLAUSES
THE SENTENCE
IN THIS UNIT:
Clauses
Types of Clauses: Independent and Dependent
Kinds of Sentences:
(1) simple
(2) compound
(3) complex
(4) compound-complex
Sentences Types and Writing Style
CLAUSES: AN INTRODUCTION
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences. To understand how sentences work in English,
it is important to have a solid understanding of what a clause is. A clause is simply a group of
words that contains a subject and a verb. A clause may contain other elements, but every
clause needs at least a subject and a verb.
Clauses:
football is fun (Here, there is a subject, football, and a verb, is; therefore, it is a clause)
because dogs like bones (The subject is dogs; the verb is like. This is a clause)
Not clauses:
John, in his green suit (Here, there is a subject, John, but no verb. Therefore, it is not a
clause)
protect the ocean (Here, there is a verb, protect, but no subject. Therefore, it is not a clause)
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
NOT A CLAUSE
Independent Clauses
An independent clause contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It
can stand alone as a sentence by itself. An independent clause is formed with a subject and a
verb and often a complement.
Two examples:
Subject
The sun
Water
Verb
rose.
evaporates
(Complement)
rapidly in warm climates.
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) begins with a subordinator such as
when, while, if, that, or who. A dependent clause does not express a complete thought, so it
is not a sentence by itself. A dependent clause is also called a sentence fragment. By itself, it
is an incomplete sentence, and it is an error. A dependent clause is formed with a
subordinator, a subject and a verb.
Some examples:
Subordinator
... when
... because
until
so that
Subject
the boy
he
I
the man
Verb
ran ...
is
saw
understood
(Complement)
a good singer
the doctor
before
even though
how
if
so that
that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
wherever
which
while
who
whose
* a complement is a word, phrase, or clause that follows a verb and which simply adds further
information concerning, usually, the verb's subject.
Write Independent next to the complete sentences and put a period (.) after them. Write
Dependent next to the incomplete sentences. The first two have been done for you.
____________ 1. Globalization means more travel for businessmen and women
____________ 2. As business executives fly around the globe to sell their companies
products and services
____________ 3. Jet lag affects most long-distance travelers
____________ 4. Which is simply the urge to sleep at inappropriate times
____________ 5. During long journeys through several time zones, the bodys inner clock is
disrupted
____________ 6. For some reason, travel from west to east causes greater jet lag than
travel from east to west
____________ 7. Also, changes in work schedules can cause jet lag
____________ 8. When hospital nurses change from a day shift to a night shift, for example
____________ 9. Although there is no sure way to prevent jet lag
____________10. There are some ways to minimize it
____________ 11. Because jet lag is caused at least partially by loss of sleep, not just a
change in the time of sleep
____________ 12. A traveler should plan to arrive at his or her destination as late as possible
____________ 13. Upon arriving, he or she should immediately go to bed
____________ 14. Then the traveler should start to live in the new time zone immediately
____________ 15. Even when the traveler arrives early in the morning and cannot go to bed
immediately
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
INDEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
DEPENDENT
KINDS OF SENTENCES
Sentences are formed by one or more clauses and express a complete thought. The four
basic kinds of sentences in English are:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
simple
compound
complex
compound-complex
Verb
ran.
is
(Complement)
a good singer.
A simple sentence can have one or more subjects. (When there is more than one subject, the
subjects are called a compound subject.) A simple sentence can also have one or more verbs.
(When there is more than one verb, the verbs are called a compound verb.)
Examples:
one subject, one verb
one subject, compound verb
compound subject, one verb
compound subject, compound verb
(a) Coordinators
One way to join two independent clauses together is with a coordinator (also called
coordinating conjunctions). There are seven coordinators in English: for, and, nor, but, or, yet,
& so. You can remember these coordinators by the phrase FAN BOYS (using the first letter of
each of the coordinators). Coordinators are used in the following ways:
CONJUNCTION
FUNCTION
FOR
Meaning because
AND
NOR
BUT
OR
To add an alternative
possibility
YET
To add an unexpected or
surprising continuation
SO
EXAMPLE
Japanese people live longer than
most nationalities, for they eat
healthy diets.
They eat a lot of fish and vegetables,
and they eat lightly.
They do not eat a lot of red meat, nor
do they eat many dairy products.
(note: notice that question word order
is used after NOR.)
Diet is one factor in how long people
live, but it is not the only factor.
People should limit the amount of
animal fat in their diet, or they risk
getting heart disease.
Cigarette smoking is a factor in
longevity, yet Japanese have a high
rate of tobacco use.
Doctors say that stress is another
factor, so try to avoid stress if you
wish to live a long time.
(b) Semicolons
Another way to create compound sentences is with semicolons. This kind of compound
sentence is possible only when the two independent clauses are closely related in meaning. If
they are not closely related, they should be written as two simple sentences, each ending with
a period.
The car has a large engine; this power is used to accelerate quickly.
We are unable to meet as planned; we will meet next week.
COORDINATOR
SUBORDINATOR
after
and
for
and
so
since, because
before
so
but, yet
and
since, because
although, even though
after
and
yet
or
still
then
therefore
thus
yet
after
so
so
accordingly
as a result
consequently
hence
therefore
thus
To add an example
for example
for instance
The rule for using conjunctive adverbs is simple: when a conjunctive adverb joins two
independent clauses, place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after it:
Independent clause;
accordingly,
also,
as a result,
for example,
still,
therefore,
etc.
independent clause.
conjunctive adverb,
consequently,
independent clause.
the highways was open
within an hour.
elephants do not.
however,
Use what you have learned about forming compound sentences to improve the following
essay, which contains many short, simple sentences. Combine sentences wherever
appropriate. Try to use each of the three methods at least once. There are many possible
ways to combine the sentences.
(1) A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous, and difficult
tasks. (2) First of all, robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming tired or bored. (3)
They are used in automobile factories to weld and paint. (4) Robots can also function in
hostile environments. (5) They are useful for exploring the ocean bottom as well as deep
outer space. (6) Finally, robots can perform tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy. (7) In the
operating room, robotic equipment can assist the surgeon. (8) For instance, a robot can kill a
brain tumor. (9) It can operate on a fetus with great precision.
(10) The field of artificial intelligence is giving robots a limited ability to think and make
decisions. (11) However, robots cannot think conceptually. (12) Robots cannot function
independently. (13) Humans have to program them. (14) They are useless. (15) Therefore,
humans should not worry that robots will take over the world -- at least, not yet.
I was happy.
When I saw what you had done
It makes me happy.
that you love me
Economists are concerned that the rate of inflation will double if the government does
not act.
Independent clause:
Dependent clause 1:
Dependent clause 2:
Engineers, who have an aptitude for mechanics, must also be artistic and imaginative.
Independent clause:
Dependent clause:
1: Helen Keller was born in Tuscumbia, Alabama, in 1880 and died in 1968.
2: Until she was 19 months of age, her sight and hearing were normal.
3: When she was 19 months old, a severe illness left her deaf and blind.
4: When she was seven, she began her education in reading and writing with Anne Sullivan of
the Perkins Institute for the Blind.
5: Through persistence and stubbornness, Anne breaks through Helen's walls of silence and
darkness and teaches her to communicate.
6: Helen Keller learned to read by the Braille system, and she learned to write by using a
specially constructed typewriter.
7: Later, she entered Radcliffe College and graduated with honors in 1904.
8: Helen Keller's story needed to be told, so in 1962, a beautiful movie was made about her
life.
9: "If there were only joy in the world, we could never learn to be brave and patient." -- Helen
Keller
10: "Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing." -- Helen Keller
I admire Tim
he doesnt admire me
although I try hard to impress him
Even if you fail, at least you tried, and you're a better person for it.
Independent clauses:
Dependent clause:
The dog lived in the backyard, but the cat, who thought she was superior, lived inside
the house.
Independent clauses:
Dependent clause:
Though the movie had been tested on the market, The Last Shadow did not fare well in
the United States, but it did develop a huge following in Europe, which usually does not
go for this movie genre.
Independent clauses:
Dependent clauses:
3. Those clouds look like rain; we should hurry before we get caught in bad weather.
4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.
5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you remember?
9. The boy who is speaking is my brother, and he will be staying with us.
10. I know you don't like him, but that doesn't matter.
Taken from: Richter, K. (2009). W1 Unit 2 Student Copy. Class material. Guanajuato, Gto.: Universidad
de Guanajuato.