Clauses-B5

= Grammar =

By Ryan Whites, James Kasper, Taylor Brown, Enrique Vivar
Week 1-3-Clauses: Main and Subordinate Clauses

I. Clauses and Phrases

1.What is the difference between a **clause** and a **phrase**?

A. Definition of a **clause**: A group of words containing a subject and a predicate and forming part of a compound or complex sentence.

1. Examples: (Clauses are bold-faced)

a.//**I like playing Tetris**,// //when I have time//.

b.//**If I were ten years younger**, I would consider entering the marathon//

c.//**It is cold**, although the sun is shining.//

B. Definition of a **phrase**:Two or more words in sequence that form a syntactic unit that is less than a complete sentence.

1. Examples: (Phrases are bold-faced)

a.**He formulated his concerns** to the board of trustees

b.//**Removing his coat**//, Jack rushed to the river.

c.**Getting up at five,** we got an early start

II. Main (Independent) Clause

1. What is a **main** **clause**?

Definition: A clause in a complex sentence that contains at least a subject and a verb and can stand alone syntactically as a complete sentence.

Examples: (main clauses are bold-faced)

a. **It is cold**, although the sun is shining.

b. While i was driving, **my car started to smoke.**

c. **She was there** during the accident.

2. How many **main clauses** do I need in each sentence?

Answer: At least one main clause in every sentence.

Examples:

a. After staring at the man for a while, **she realized** she had met him before.

b. **The boy threw the ball.**

c. After the game, **we went for ice cream.**

3. What is a **sentence fragment**?

Definition: A phrase or clause that is punctuated and capitalized as a sentence but does not constitute a complete grammatical sentence.

Examples:

a. Left the game at a crucial point.

b. When she went out.

c. A novel with interesting characters.

III. Subordinate (Dependent) Clause

1. What is a **subordinate clause**?

Definition: a clause in a complex sentence that cannot stand alone as a complete sentence and that functions within the sentence as a noun or adjective or adverb

Examples: (subordinate clauses are bold-faced)

a. **Whenever lazy students whine****,** Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

b. Anthony ran for the paper towels **as** **Pepsi spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.**

c. **Because my dog loves pizza crusts**, he never barks at the Pizza Hut deliveryman.

2. What is a **subordinating conjunction**?

Definition: A conjunction, such as //after, because, if,// or //where//, that introduces a subordinate clause.

Examples: (subordinating conjunctions are bold-faced)

a. **Whenever** lazy students whine**,** Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

b. Anthony ran for the paper towels **as** Pepsi spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.

c. **Because** my dog loves pizza crusts, he never barks at the Pizza Hut deliveryman.

3. What is a **relative pronoun**?

Definition: A pronoun that introduces a relative clause and has reference to an antecedent

Examples: (relative pronouns are bold-faced)

a. Let’s laugh at the kid **whom** Mrs. Russell hit in the head with a chalk eraser.

b. The dog is in the back yard, **where** he chews and drools with great enthusiasm

c. There lay the remains of the Pepsi **that** had spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter

IV. Noun Clauses, Adjective Clauses, Adverb Clauses

1. What is a **noun clause**?

Definition: a subordinate clause that functions as a subject within the main clause

Examples: (noun clauses are bold-faced)

a. The Toronto fans hope **that the Blue Jays will win again**.

b. **Whoever broke the vase** will have to pay for it.

c. **Where they are going** is unknown.

2. What is an **a**djective cl**ause**?

Definition: a relative clause that modifies a noun or pronoun

Examples: (adjective clauses are bold-faced)

a. It was she **who saw us.**

b. Did I tell you about the author **whom I met**?

c. They are searching for the one **who borrowed the book.**

3. What is an **adverb clause**?

Definition: a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb within a main clause.

Examples: (adverb clauses are bold-faced)

a. **If the British co-operate**, the Europeans may achieve monetary union.

b. Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle **so that his father's murder would be avenged**.

c. The premier gave a speech **where the workers were striking**.

Defenitions Taken From - http://dictionary.reference.com/ http://www.m-w.com/ m-w.com Examples Taken From- http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~cs5014/fall.95/courseNotes/WebPages/5.TechnicalCommunication/tc_2_Usage.html www.drgrammar.org/faqs/ http://www.dailygrammar.com/251to255.shtml http://www.englishplus.com/