Grammar of clauses
Independent clauses
Contain a subject and a conjugated verb that form the core of the sentence:
- stands alone
- can be coordinated with one or more clauses, joined by a coordinating conjunction
- works with subordinate clauses
Subordinate clauses
Called dependent clause because they cannot stand alone.
Form
Finite
“Finite” describes how the verb works–it has a subject and shows tense. Contain a subject and a conjugated verb. Can be main or subordinate:
- Sparks flew.
- I knew there would be trouble when sparks flew. (subordinate)
Nonfinite
Nonfinite clauses have a verb that does not show tense–it is not conjugated to work with a tense. This includes:
- infinitives (to verb)
- -ed verbs
- -ing verbs
Examples
- To bake a cookie, form a ball of dough on a plate.
- When baking cookies, keep your eye on the clock.
- Baked in the morning, these cookies will be great later this evening.
Verbless
Leave the whole verb or part of the verb implied. Usually the verb is a form of be (is, are, etc.):
- If necessary, you can stay at my place this evening. (implied it is)
- When annoyed, the teacher assigns extra homework. (implied she is)
Function
Nominal clauses
Noun clauses. When a clause functions like a noun:
- subject of the verb
- objects of transitive verbs
- object of preposition
The clause is usually subordintaed with a word like:
- how
- that
- what
- whatever
- when
- where
- whether
- which
- whichever
- who
- whoever
- whom
- whomever
- why
Examples:
- Whatever you want is fine with me.
- Whether you leave before 9am determines the traffic.
- Please just pick whichever drink you want.
- The game is whatever you make of it.
Adjective clauses (relative clauses)
Modifies a noun that immediately precedes it, and introduced with a relative pronoun, which is sometimes implied:
- that
- which
- who
- whom
The relative pronoun can introduce a noun that’s the subject of the verb in the clause, or it can be the subject:
- There’s no way that she leaves the house.
- I have a new favorite song, which is slower than the last.
- There’s no way she leaves now. (implied that)
Sentential relative clause
These clauses modify a whole clause:
- He took all the leftovers, which is out of character for him.
Adverbial clause
Typically subordinate clauses that describe a verb, or add extra information to the sentence:
- place
- time
- condition
- circumstance
- concession (although, though, while): Bridge an incongruity between the main clause and subordinate adverbial clause.
- reason (because, since, therefore, other conjunctions)
- cause
- purpose
- result (so)
- manner (as)
- proportion (use comparative adjective -er)
- similarity (just as , [y])
- comment
Examples
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| Time | When your leg is healed, we will play basketball again. |
| Place | I will follow you wherever you go. |
| Circumstance | If need be, you should visit your mother. |
| Condition (usually subordinated with if) | If you have a better idea, then speak up. |
| Concession | Although we were ready, they caught us completely by surprise. |
| Reason | I am not sure because I never read the book. |
| Purpose | Move your car so I can get out in the morning. |
| Result | There was no traffic, so we made great time. |
| Manner | The dog barked as if he never met me. |
| Proportion | The sooner you stop talking, the better the evening will be. |
| Similarity | Just as he said he would, he paid for dinner. |
| Comment | To be honest, I couldn’t care less. |
Comparative clauses
They often use than or as [blank] as with a comparative adjective phrase like smarter or more thoughtful:
- I can’t believe I’ve known you as long as I have.