Clauses
A clause is a group of words that includes both a subject and a verb.
Two Kinds of Clauses
1. Independent Clause - can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete
thought.
Ex.
Sun is one of the nearest stars on Earth.
Sun = subject
is = verb
2. Subordinate Clause - can't stand alone as a sentence because it doesn't express a
complete thought.
A subordinate clause usually starts with a subordinating conjunction--
A conjunction is a word that connects two groups of words and the word subordinating means making something less important.
Subordinating conjunction is a word that connects the subordinate clause to the rest of the sentence and makes the subordinate clause less important.Because the subordinating conjunction is present the subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Example of Subordinating Conjunction
if
after
because
since
although
when
until
Subordinate Clause:
Ex.
Because apple has red color, like a strawberry.
apple = subject
has = verb
This is a subordinate clause because it cannot stand alone as a sentence and it begins with a subordinating conjunction "because".
But if you get the subordinating conjunction from the beginning of the sentence it became an independent clause.
Ex.
Apple has red color, like a strawberry.
It can stand alone as a sentence because it expresses a complete thought, therefore it is an independent clause.
4 Types of Sentence Structures
1. Simple Sentence
2. Compound Sentence
3. Complex Sentence
4. Compound-Complex Sentence
* Simple Sentence: consist of one independent clause.
Ex.
Life may exist on planet mars.
subject= Life
verb= may exist
It is therefore a simple sentence because it contains an independent clause which can stand alone as a sentence.
* Compound Sentence: consist of two or more independent clauses joined either by a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or by a semicolon.
Most Common Coordinating Conjunctions:
-and
-or
-but
Ex.
Many religions believe that there is a living God, but others disagree.
The first independent clause is="Many religions believe that there is a living God"
subject= religions
verb=believe
Many religions believe that there is a living God, but others disagree.
The second independent clause is= "but others disagree"
subject= others
verb= disagree
coordinating conjunction= "but"
The writer connects the two independent clause by using a comma and the coordinating conjunction "but".
Another correct way of joining the two independent clause is by using semicolon.
Ex.
Many religions believe that there is a living God; but others disagree.
* Complex Sentence: contains an independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
Note: subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.
Ex.
If extraterrestrial life is ever discovered, it will change human history.
First Clause:
subordinate clause= If extraterrestrial life is ever discovered
subject = Life
verb = is discovered
If extraterrestrial life is ever discovered, it will change human history.
Second Clause:
independent clause = it will change human history
subject = it
verb = will change
The first clause sets up a possibility and the second clause explains what would happen if that possibility comes true.
So the two clauses work together to express one complete idea.
The complex sentence combines two different clauses that makes into a whole to express a single thought.Notice it doesn't matter what order the clauses are in.
subordinate clause+independent clause = complex sentence.
independent clause+subordinate clause = complex sentence.
Either way it consider a complex sentence.
* Compound-Complex Sentence: contains two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses.
Ex.
Although no sign of life on other worlds has yet been found,the search continues,and many predicts success.
First Clause is = "Although no sign of life on other worlds has yet been found"
verb = has been found
subject = sign
It is a subordinate clause because it doesn't express a complete thought and it begins with a word "although".
Second Clause is = "the search continues"
verb = continues
subject = search
The second clause expresses a complete thought and it sounds complete therefore it is an independent clause even it is composed of only three words it can stand alone.
Third Clause = "and many predicts success"
subject =many
verb = predicts
This clause expresses a complete sentence and it could stand alone therefore it is an independent clause.
subordinate clause+independent clause+independent clause = compound-complex sentence
Grammatical Errors
* A subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence - that is a sentence fragment.
* A run-on sentence - includes two or more independent clauses that are joined only by a comma or by nothing at all.
Run-On Sentence
Ex.
Visit the city of tourism,you'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots.
The first clause = "Visit the city of tourism"
verb= visit
The first clause is a little bit tricky because the subject doesn't appear.It is an imperative clause because it gives an order or a suggestion to visit.The subject is understood to be You.
The second clause = "you'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots."
subject = you
verb = will see
The second clause is an independent sentence because it can stand alone as a sentence.
The two clauses stock together with a comma in between.That what makes this wrong it's a Run-on sentence.
Correcting the Run-On Sentence
Ex.
Visit the city of tourism,you'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots.
The problem of this run-on sentence is the two independent clauses connect with a comma which does not work.
Below are some Solutions using the rule of the compound sentence.
1st solution:
Visit the city of tourism, and you'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots.
The the two independent clauses are joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction "and".
2nd solution:
Visit the city of tourism;you'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots.
The purpose of semicolon is to connects the two independent clauses.
3rd solution:
Visit the city of tourism. You'll see some fascinating photo exhibits of tourist spots.
You can separate the two clauses into a separate sentences by putting a period in between and a capital letter at the beginning of the second sentence.
