WEEK 5 – Clauses, part 1

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.