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Clauses

The document discusses different types of clauses in sentences. It defines phrases, independent clauses, and dependent clauses. It then explains adjective clauses, also called relative clauses, which modify nouns. Adjective clauses can be defining or non-defining depending on whether they are essential to identifying the noun. The document provides examples of defining and non-defining adjective clauses and discusses punctuation rules.

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Mohajer Educational Center
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16 views

Clauses

The document discusses different types of clauses in sentences. It defines phrases, independent clauses, and dependent clauses. It then explains adjective clauses, also called relative clauses, which modify nouns. Adjective clauses can be defining or non-defining depending on whether they are essential to identifying the noun. The document provides examples of defining and non-defining adjective clauses and discusses punctuation rules.

Uploaded by

Mohajer Educational Center
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Clauses

Sentences contain phrases and clauses.


 Phrase:
1. is a group of words
2. does not contain a subject and a verb
3. is not a sentence
Ex: in the park, on a rainy day, her grandparents in Turkey.
 Clause:
1. is a group of words.
2. contains a subject and a verb.
Ex: He went running in the park.
Ex: She visited her grandparents in Turkey.

Clauses can be dependent or independent:

 Independent clause:
1. contains the main subject and verb.
2. is the main clause of the sentence.
3. may be a statement or a question.
4. can stand alone
Ex: She lives in Tokyo.
Ex: Where does Sue live?
 Dependent Clause:
1. is not a complete sentence.
2. cannot stand alone.
3. must be connected to a main clause (independent clause).
Ex: Where Sue lives
Ex: Who helped me with my problems

 We don`t know where sue lives.


This example is a complete sentence. It has: a main subject (we), a main verb (know, a dependent
clause (where Sue lives).

Exercises: Underline Each Clause in the Sentences.

1. I couldn`t hear what you said.


2. What did you say?
3. No one knows where Tom went.
4. Where did Tom go?
5. I`d like to know where Tom went.
6. How do you know where Tome went.

 We have three kinds of Clauses:


 Adjective Clause (Relative clause)
 Noun Clause
 Adverb Clause
Adjective Clause
Adjective clause modifies a noun. Or Adjective clause functions as an adjective.

I thanked the woman. She helped me.

1. I thanked the woman who helped me.


2. I thanked the woman that helped me.

 I thanked the woman = a main clause


 who/that helped me = and adjective clause

 Who and that is the subject of adjective clause.


 In speaking, who and that are both commonly used as subject pronouns to describe people.
But, Who is more common in writing.

The book is mine. It`s on the table.

1. The book that is on the table is mine.


2. The book which is on the table is mine.

 In contemporary American English, that is preferred to which. In British English that and
which are used interchangeably.

Note: An adjective clause closely follows the noun it modifies.


Ex: The book that is on the table is mine. Not: The book is mine that is on the table.

We have two kinds of adjective clause:

 Defining adjective clause


 Non-defining adjective clause

 A defining relative clause identifies who or what we are speaking about


Ex: The woman who is sitting next to me wants to ask a question.

 A non-defining relative clause just gives us more information about who or what we are
speaking about..
Ex: George Washington, who was the first president of the United States, is a symbol of honesty,
bravery, and patriotism.

If a relative clause defines or identifies the noun or pronoun it modifies, punctuation is not required.

The woman who is sitting next to me wants to ask a question.

In this sentence, the clause “who is sitting next to me” identifies a particular woman (the one sitting next
to me) and functions as a restrictive relative clause.

If the relative clause adds extra information or facts about the noun or pronoun, then the clause must be
set off from the rest of the sentence by commas:

George Washington, who was the first president of the United States, is a symbol of honesty, bravery, and
patriotism.
In this sentence, “George Washington” is a proper noun identified by name, and the relative clause “who
was the first president of the United States” adds additional information that is not essential to the
meaning of the sentence. As a nonrestrictive relative clause, it is set off with commas.

Exercise

- Join the following pair of sentences to make one single sentence.

- Say which sentences are defining and which non-defining.

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