📏english grammar and usage review
6.2 Independent and Dependent Clauses
Last Updated on August 9, 2024
Clauses are the building blocks of sentences, forming the foundation of clear communication. Independent clauses stand alone, while dependent clauses rely on others to complete their meaning. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for crafting effective sentences.
Conjunctions play a vital role in connecting clauses and creating more complex sentence structures. Coordinating conjunctions join equal elements, while subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses. Mastering these connectors enhances your ability to express complex ideas clearly.
Clauses
Types of Clauses and Their Functions
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- Independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence
- Contains a subject and a predicate
- Functions as the core of a sentence (The sun shines brightly)
- Can be joined with other independent clauses to form compound sentences
- Dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence
- Relies on an independent clause to form a complete thought
- Often begins with a subordinating conjunction or relative pronoun
- Adds additional information to the main clause (When the sun shines)
- Subordinate clause serves as a dependent clause in a sentence
- Provides supplementary information to the main clause
- Can function as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence
- Enhances the meaning of the independent clause (because it was raining)
- Main clause acts as the independent clause in a complex sentence
- Carries the primary message of the sentence
- Can stand alone grammatically and semantically
- Supports dependent clauses to create more complex sentence structures (I stayed home)
Identifying and Using Clauses
- Independent clauses identified by their ability to stand alone
- Test by separating the clause and checking if it forms a complete sentence
- Can be connected using coordinating conjunctions (and, but, or)
- Dependent clauses recognized by their inability to form complete thoughts
- Often begin with subordinating conjunctions (although, because, while)
- Require attachment to independent clauses for completeness
- Subordinate clauses categorized based on their function in a sentence
- Noun clauses act as subjects, objects, or complements (What he said surprised me)
- Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns (The book that I read was fascinating)
- Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (She smiled when she saw him)
- Main clauses identified as the essential part of a sentence
- Contain the primary subject and verb of a complex sentence
- Can be found by removing all dependent clauses from a sentence
Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions and Their Uses
- Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses of equal grammatical rank
- Remembered using the acronym FANBOYS (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So)
- Join independent clauses to form compound sentences (I like coffee, and I enjoy tea)
- Used to connect items in a list or series (apples, oranges, and bananas)
- For indicates a reason or purpose
- Links two related independent clauses (I was tired, for I had worked all night)
- And adds information or ideas
- Joins similar elements in a sentence (She sang and danced)
- Nor connects two negative ideas
- Used in pairs to express alternatives (Neither the car nor the bike was available)
- But introduces a contrast or exception
- Shows opposition between ideas (He tried hard but failed)
- Or presents alternatives or choices
- Offers options in a sentence (Would you like coffee or tea?)
- Yet expresses a contrast or unexpected result
- Similar to "but" with a stronger emphasis (He studied hard, yet he failed the exam)
- So indicates a result or consequence
- Shows cause and effect relationships (It was raining, so we stayed indoors)
Subordinating Conjunctions and Complex Sentences
- Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses
- Connect dependent clauses to independent clauses
- Include words like after, although, as, because, before, if, since, when, while
- Subordinating conjunctions indicate various relationships between clauses
- Time relationships (after, before, when, while, until)
- Cause and effect (because, since, as)
- Condition (if, unless, provided that)
- Contrast (although, though, even though)
- Placement of subordinating conjunctions affects sentence structure
- Can appear at the beginning of a sentence (Because it was raining, we stayed home)
- Can appear in the middle of a sentence (We stayed home because it was raining)
- Subordinating conjunctions create complex sentences
- Combine one independent clause with one or more dependent clauses
- Enhance the complexity and depth of written expression
Sentence Types
Compound Sentences: Structure and Usage
- Compound sentences consist of two or more independent clauses
- Joined by coordinating conjunctions, semicolons, or conjunctive adverbs
- Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence
- Coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences
- Use FANBOYS to connect independent clauses (I love reading, and I enjoy writing)
- Require a comma before the coordinating conjunction
- Semicolons in compound sentences
- Join closely related independent clauses without a conjunction (I love reading; I enjoy writing)
- Can be used with conjunctive adverbs (I love reading; however, I enjoy writing more)
- Compound sentences add variety to writing
- Allow for the expression of related ideas in a single sentence
- Help to show relationships between thoughts or actions
Complex Sentences: Components and Formation
- Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause
- Dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete thought
- Independent clause forms the main idea of the sentence
- Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses in complex sentences
- Connect the dependent clause to the independent clause
- Indicate the relationship between the two clauses (When it rains, the plants grow)
- Relative pronouns can also introduce dependent clauses
- Include who, whom, whose, which, and that
- Form relative clauses that modify nouns or pronouns (The book that I read was interesting)
- Order of clauses in complex sentences can vary
- Dependent clause can come before the independent clause (While I was sleeping, the phone rang)
- Independent clause can come first, followed by the dependent clause (The phone rang while I was sleeping)
- Complex sentences add depth and nuance to writing
- Allow for the expression of more sophisticated relationships between ideas
- Enhance the flow and coherence of written communication
Key Terms to Review (17)
Comma Use with Dependent Clauses: Comma use with dependent clauses refers to the rules governing when and how to use commas in sentences that contain clauses which cannot stand alone as complete sentences. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'because,' 'although,' or 'if,' and their placement in a sentence affects whether a comma is needed. Understanding how to correctly use commas with dependent clauses helps clarify sentence structure and improves overall readability.
Fanboys: Fanboys are a group of coordinating conjunctions used to connect words, phrases, or clauses in sentences. The term 'fanboys' is an acronym for the seven coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. These conjunctions are essential for linking independent clauses and can create complex sentence structures that enhance writing.
Adverb Clause: An adverb clause is a dependent clause that functions as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb in the main clause. These clauses provide additional information about when, where, why, how, and to what extent an action occurs. Because they cannot stand alone as complete sentences, adverb clauses are always introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as 'because', 'although', or 'when'.
Subordinating Conjunctions: Subordinating conjunctions are words that connect an independent clause with a dependent clause, establishing a relationship between the two. They introduce the dependent clause and indicate how it relates to the independent clause, adding important information or context, such as time, reason, condition, or contrast. Examples include 'because', 'although', 'while', and 'if'.
Adjective clause: An adjective clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or pronoun, providing more information about it. It usually begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who,' 'whom,' 'whose,' 'which,' or 'that,' and functions similarly to an adjective by describing or giving further detail about the noun it follows.
Noun clause: A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions as a noun within a sentence, acting as a subject, object, or complement. These clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'that', 'what', 'who', or 'whether', and they provide essential information in sentences without standing alone. By understanding noun clauses, one can better grasp the structure and flow of complex sentences, particularly in distinguishing between independent and dependent clauses, as well as in reducing and expanding clauses.
Main clause: A main clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate, and it expresses a complete thought. This type of clause can stand alone as a sentence, making it essential for forming complex sentences, distinguishing between independent and dependent clauses, and constructing conditional sentences and hypothetical situations.
Subordinate clause: A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. It functions as a dependent element within a sentence, adding additional information but relying on an independent clause to form a complete thought. These clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as 'although,' 'because,' or 'if,' establishing a relationship between ideas.
If: 'If' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce conditional clauses, indicating that one event or situation is dependent on another. This key term plays a vital role in creating complex sentences where the relationship between clauses is established through subordination, allowing for nuanced expressions of cause and effect or hypothetical scenarios. Understanding 'if' helps in identifying dependent clauses and recognizing how they function in relation to independent clauses within sentences.
While: 'While' is a subordinating conjunction used to indicate a simultaneous action or condition between two clauses. It helps create complex sentences by connecting an independent clause with a dependent clause, often showing contrast or time. This term is crucial in understanding how ideas relate within sentences, particularly when one action occurs in tandem with another or when contrasting situations are expressed.
Because: 'Because' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a dependent clause that provides a reason or cause for an action or situation in a sentence. It connects the dependent clause to an independent clause, creating complex sentences that express causality and elaboration. This word is essential for linking ideas and providing context within complex sentences, allowing for clearer communication of relationships between actions and their reasons.
Coordinating Conjunctions: Coordinating conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses that are similar or equal in structure. They play a crucial role in forming compound sentences by linking independent clauses, enhancing sentence variety and clarity in writing. The most common coordinating conjunctions are 'for,' 'and,' 'nor,' 'but,' 'or,' 'yet,' and 'so,' often remembered by the acronym FANBOYS.
When: 'When' is a subordinating conjunction that introduces a dependent clause, indicating the time at which an action occurs. It helps to connect independent and dependent clauses by providing temporal context, allowing for more complex sentence structures that clarify the timing of events or actions within a sentence.
Independent Clause: An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate and expresses a complete thought. This type of clause can stand alone as a sentence, making it essential for constructing clear and effective communication.
Dependent clause: A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like 'although,' 'because,' or 'when,' and they rely on independent clauses to provide meaning.
Complex Sentence: A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause, which adds more detail or information to the main idea. This structure allows for the combination of multiple ideas, enhancing clarity and depth in communication while showing the relationship between different thoughts.
Compound sentence: A compound sentence is a sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. This structure allows for the expression of related ideas, contributing to greater complexity and variety in writing.