Clause Types

Independent & Dependent … and …

Let’s start with a simple sentence…

I bought a book.

This sentence has the three basic elements required of either a simple sentence or a clause:

Subject = IVerb = boughtObject = a book

While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book.

Now, let’s add another clause …

While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book.

Now we have a two clause sentence, but these clauses are not the same.

The original clause I bought a book can stand on its own as a simple sentence. It expresses a complete thought by itself. Therefore, it is called an independent clause.

An independent clause is a S + V / O bject or C omplement or A dverbial unit that expresses a complete thought and could

stand on its own as a simple sentence.

Whether you find an independent clause by itself as a simple sentence or joined with other clauses, you will be able to identify it because it:

is a S+V/ unit that expresses a complete thought

Independent Clause (IC)

But what about the other clause?

While my mother drank her coffee, I bought a book.

If we only consider the first clause, while my mother drank her coffee, we are left with a question in our minds, “What happened while your mother drank her coffee?!”

This clause can not stand on its own as a simple sentence. It requires another clause to a complete its meaning. Therefore, it is called an dependent clause.

A dependent clause is a S + V / O bject or C omplement or A dverbial

unit that does not express a complete thought and can not stand on its own as a simple sentence.

A dependent clause must always be connected to an independent clause. You will be able to identify it because it:

is a S+V/ unit that does not express a complete thought on

its own

Dependent Clause (DC)

Dependent Clauses

There are 3 different types of dependent clauses.

• Noun Clause (NC)

• Adjective Clause (AdjC)

• Adverb Clause (AdvC)

Noun Clause (NC)

• [S+V/] that acts like a noun• Example: I think [you are sick]. I think [you are sick].

S V OObjects are nouns; this entire clause acts like a singular noun, so it is a noun clause.

• NCs usually follow verbs as objects or complements• “Answers” the question “What?”• Example:

• Q: What do you think?• A: I think Spiderman is the best superhero.

Noun Clause (NC) -- continued

• NCs can begin with “that”• “that” is a subordinating conjunction that

• joins it to an IC• makes the clause it begins depend on the

IC to complete its meaning.

• “that” is often omitted by native speakers:• Example:

I think that Spiderman is the best superhero.I think Spiderman is the best superhero.

Adjective Clause (AdjC)

• [S+V/] that acts like an adjective

• Example: The story [that I am reading] is sad.

S V

This entire clause acts like an adjective, so it is an adjective clause.

• AdjCs follow nouns• Often start with relative pronouns

• but the relative pronoun can be omitted • if the clause has another noun to serve as

the subject • EX: The story [I am reading]is sad.

relative pronoun

[that I am reading]

Adverb Clause (AdvC)

• [S+V/] that acts like an adverb• Example: [After we drove to the mall] , we looked

for a bookstore. This clause gives information about how or why the action happened, so it acts like an adverb.

• AdvCs always begin with a subordinating conjunction• after although as because before

even though if since unless until when