WEEK 5 – Clauses: Dependent, Noun, Adjective, Adverb
Clauses: Careful writers introduce clauses into their writing
for emphasis, variety, and added information.
Clauses are either independent,
meaning they can stand by themselves and make sense (in other words,
sentences), or dependent, meaning
they cannot stand by themselves, and to make sense, they need to attach
themselves to other words, phrases, or independent clauses.
Independent clause, main clause, or sentence are synonymous and the terms
may be used interchangeable. Also, dependent and subordinate are synonymous and used interchangeably. Subordinate also implies that the thought
expressed by this type of clause is an important fact but less important than
the sentence itself. If a subordinate
clause cannot be removed (the meaning of the sentence is altered), then this
clause is restrictive or essential. If the clause can be omitted without changing
the meaning of the sentence, then the clause is non-restrictive or non-essential.
Sentences and Clauses
By combining main clauses and
dependent clauses, a writer can stress thoughts when he uses main clauses and
relegates other thoughts less important when he uses dependent clauses.
Examples:
(Although
the Yankees played several games with replacements), the team hung together
and eventually won the pennant. (The writer stresses the cohesiveness and
victory of the team in the main clause as the main idea.)
The
Carpenters, (who have lived in several parts of the world), love Minneapolis the best. (The clause is dependent on the primary idea.)
DEPENDENT CLAUSES
A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb: noun clauses, adjective clauses, and adverb
clauses function in the same manner as words and phrases, except clauses tend
to be longer units. These groups of
words may look like sentences because they contain a verb and a subject;
however, they also may contain an introductory word which shows some
relationship to another part of the sentence.
Therefore these clauses cannot stand by themselves because they must
attach themselves to make sense.
NOUN CLAUSE
A noun clause is a group of words that function as a subject, direct
object, indirect object, object of the preposition, or predicate nominative.
Examples:
· Subject: Whoever is
responsible for the graffiti should turn himself in to the police.
· Direct Object: Gene clicks
away with the remote and chooses whatever suits his fancy.
· Indirect
Object: Mr. Collins assigned whoever had an “A”
an extra credit project.
· Object of the preposition: Mr. Jameson will present the award to whoever
baked the best chocolate cake.
· Predicate
Nominative: The award was whatever struck the fancy of
the judges.
ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
An adjective clause is a group of words with a subject and verb and
introductory relative pronoun (who, whom, which, that); this group of words
modifies a single noun or pronoun.
Examples:
· Butch, who tells the best stories, has traveled
alone all through the West.
· After reading from his novel, the author took questions
that the audience enthusiastically asked.
· The program that captures the imagination of the
audience usually receives the greatest applause.
· The Tavern, which is owned by an Englishman,
does a great business in Northfield.
ADVERB CLAUSES
An adverb clause is a group
of words with a subject and verb and an introductory adverb that designates
when, where, how, and to what extent and expresses reason. Adverb clauses usually modify verbs but, like
single adverbs, also modify adjectives.
Usually, when an adverb
clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, it is set off by a comma.
Examples:
· When Alyssa called, she told us that she has a new job.
· When the sentence was written, the writer ignored standard rules of grammar.
When the adverb clause is in
the middle of the sentence, it usually is set off by a comma, but at the end of
the sentence it is set off by a comma only if the thought in the clause is
abruptly negative to the words before.
Examples:
· Joan travels to Nantucket every year, although she never goes fishing. (the clause is
contrary to the preceding thought)
· Joan also visits New Bedford before she lands on Nantucket. (no comma
needed)
· My son points beautiful portraits, even though he
never took lessons. (contradicting
thought)
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