Subordination Adverb, Adjective, and Noun Clauses

ClausesIndependent:

I always get popcorn.subject and verb; complete thought

Dependent:When I go to the movies.

subject and verb; incomplete thoughtWhen I go to the movies, I always get popcorn.I always get popcorn when I go to the movies.

Clauses

Whenever I finish my homework, I willwatch the TV show Ghost Hunters.

I need to eat something before I go topractice.

Whenever I finish my homework, I willwatch the TV show Ghost Hunters.

I need to eat something before I go topractice.

Whenever I finish my homework, I willwatch the TV show Ghost Hunters.

I need to eat something before I go topractice.

Adverb Clauses

Subordinating Conjunctions

after, because, before, if, since, that, though,unless, until, when, where, while

Adverb ClausesBefore we go to the dance, we have reservations for dinner.

We have reservations for dinnerbefore we go to the dance.

Before the dance, we havereservations for dinner.

Before we go to the dance, we have reservations for dinner.

We have reservations for dinnerbefore we go to the dance.

Before the dance, we havereservations for dinner.

Adverb ClausesComma after introductory adverb

clause

Before we go to the dance, we have reservations for dinner.

Adverb ClausesNo comma if at the end of a

sentence

We have reservations for dinnerbefore we go to the dance.

Adverb ClausesCommas are needed around the

clause if in the middle

We, before we go to the dance, have reservations for dinner.

Elliptical ClausesI am much better at dancing than

him.

He needed to practice more than her.

I am much better at dancing than he is at dancing.

He needed to practice more than she needed to practice.

Adjective Clauses

Relative Pronouns who, whom, whose, that, which,

whoever, whomever, and whicheverRelative Adverbs

where, when, and why

Adjective ClausesHere are the notes that you need.

Here are the notes you need.

We ate at Red Robin, where she was working.

Here are the notes that you need.

Here are the notes you need.

We ate at Red Robin, where she was working.

Here are the notes that you need.

Here are the notes (that) you need.

We ate at Red Robin, where she was working.

Here are the notes that you need.

Here are the notes (that) you need.

We ate at Red Robin, where she was working.

Adjective ClausesEssential ClauseYou ate the ice cream that I made.Essential Clause (no commas)You ate the ice cream that I made.

Nonessential ClausesYou ate the ice cream which I made.

Essential Clause (no commas)You ate the ice cream that I made.

Nonessential Clauses (commas)You ate the ice cream, which I made.

Adjective ClausesMisplaced Modifiers

The bird ignored the cat that chirped in the cage.

…the cat that chirped in the cage?

Misplaced Modifiers

The bird ignored the cat that chirped in the cage.

…the cat that chirped in the cage?

The bird that chirped in the cage ignored the cat.

Noun Clauses

The Subordinators:

that what who whoever whose whatever whether which where when why if how how much how many how long

how far how often

Noun Clauses

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

Why you did not hire me is hard to comprehend.

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

(subject) lv PA InfinitiveWhy you did not hire me is hard to comprehend.

Noun Clauses

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

We wonder what your plans for the trip are.

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

S tv (direct object)We wonder what your plans for the trip are.

Noun Clauses

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

My hope is that you ace the quiz.

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

S lv (PN)My hope is that you ace the quiz.

Noun Clauses

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

One should profit from what he sees and learns.

used the same way as a noun or pronoun

S iv object of prep

One should profit from what he sees and learns.