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.
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