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What is a Clause?
Definition of a Clause
A clause is a group of words that has at least one subject and predicate pair.
The subject/predicate pair must work together to show what someone or something is doing in the past present or future.
Definition of a Clause: Examples of Subject/Predicate Pairs Working Together
Micayla is writing a novel. Subject: Micayla Simple Predicate: is writingShows what Micayla is doing now.
Hannah will edit her work.Subject: Hannah Simple Predicate: will editShows what Hannah will do.
She has written several novels this year.Subject: She Simple Predicate: has writtenShows what she has done.
Definition of a Clause: Subject/Predicate Pairs
The subject/predicate pair could also show that someone or something exists in the past, present or future.
Definition of a Clause: Subject and Predicate
Andrew is in his seat. Subject: Andrew Simple Predicate: is Andrew is existing in his seat. He is not doing anything.Jacob will be on the top of the mountain soon. Subject: Jacob Simple predicate: will be Jacob will be existing on top of the mountain. He will
not be doing anything once he gets there.Wade had been at practice all of last week.
Subject: Wade Simple Predicate: had beenWade was existing at practice.
Definition of a Clause: Compound Subjects and Predicates
Point to remember:
Sometimes a simple subject or predicate can be compound. The compound subject and/or predicate still work together as a pair.
Lillia and Brandi did exercises in their language books.
Dusty raised his hand and participated in class.Jay, Nico, and Jon discussed the figurative
language and found the correct answers.
Types of Clauses: Independent Clauses
A clause that stands alone as a complete thought is called an independent clause. An independent clause, also known as a simple sentence, has one simple subject and simple predicate pair or a compound simple subject or predicate as demonstrated in the last few slides.
Types of Clauses : Subordinate (Dependent) Clauses
sub- below, under, beneath, less than
subordinate = subservient, dependent
Types of Clauses : Subordinate (Dependent) Clauses
The subordinate clause DOES HAVE a subject/predicate pair or compound subject and/or predicate pair, BUT it DOES NOT stand alone as a complete thought or as a complete sentence.
Types of Clauses: Dependent or Subordinate Clauses
The dependent clause is completely helpless with the independent clause to complete or support its meaning.
Example:Because Cornelius May sailed the
Delaware River, Cape May is named for him.
What Makes the Dependent, or Subordinate Clause, a Clause?
A clause is a group of words that has at least one subject and predicate pair.
In spite of the fact that a subordinate clause does have a subject and predicate pair, it is still an incomplete thought and can’t stand alone.
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
Examples of Subordinate Clauses:After I ate the banana.Simple subject: I Simple predicate: ateSimple subject and predicate pair work
together to show what “I” did in the past.Complete thought?
No, the sentence does not tell what happened after “I” ate the banana.
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
Examples of subordinate clauses:Since the man is seven feet tall.
Simple Subject: man Simple Predicate: isThe subject and predicate pair tell that the man exists
as a tall person. The clause does not complete the thought that begins with “since.”
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
Because Noah and Ben are working hard.Simple subject (compound): Ben, NoahSimple predicate: are working
The clause does not complete the thought. Because they are working hard…what?
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
A subordinate clause begins with a key word that makes it depend upon another sentence for its meaning. Because Noah and Ben are working hard.Because
Since the man is seven feet tall.Since In many clauses removing this key word will make the word an independent clause and a complete sentence.
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
The key word that makes a subordinate clause dependent is called a
SubordinatingConjunction.
Subordinating conjunctions frequently connect two clauses, and they always make the clause they connect dependent.
Reminder
Coordinating and correlative conjunctions connect two equal parts. These conjunctions do not create dependent clauses.
Coordinating: and, but, or, nor, for, yet
Correlative: Not only…but also; Both…and; either…or; neither…not; whether…or.
What Makes the Subordinate Clause Dependent?
The following is a list of common subordinating conjunctions that make subordinate clauses.
after how till ( or 'til) although if unless as inasmuch until as if in order that when as long as lest whenever as much as now that where as soon as provided (that) wherever as though since while because so that before than even if that even though though
Beware!
The common subordinating conjunctions are sometimes other parts of speech such as prepositions.
Clause or Not?
After a long sailing voyage. Hmmm. Might be a clause because it begins with after.
After is sometimes a subordinating conjunction. How do we know if this is a clause? It must have a
subject/predicate pair. “A,” “long,” “sailing,” are all adjectives describe the noun
voyage so this is not a clause. (It is a prepositional phrase).
Spain colonized California.
After Mexico won indepedence.
Clause or Not?
American settlers traveled to California.Hm. Might be an independent clause
because it expresses a complete thought.Does it have a subject and predicate
pair?settlers traveled
It is a clause. It is independent.
Clause or Not?
Because it has an excellent climate.It might be a clause because it begins
with because, a subordinating conjunction.Does it have a subject/predicate pair?it hasIt does not stand on its own. It
begins with a subordinating conjunction. It is a subordinate clause.
Clause or Not?
The Dutch created a settlement. Independent Clause.
As soon as the English arrived. Dependent clause
During the Dutch-English conflict. Prepositional phrase
When the Dutch settlers first came to New York. Dependent clause
After the conflict was settled. Dependent clause
Online Practice
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/indep_clause_quiz.htm
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/quiz.pl/indep_clause_quiz2.htm
• http://www.csus.edu/owl/index/sent/clause_quiz.htm
