Clause types notes for CSS and PMS, Study notes of English Language

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Clause Types

Independent & Dependent … and …

Laurie Miller | George Mason University | Last updated April 2013

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 = I

Verb = bought

Object = a book

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.

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^ O Objects are nouns; this entire clause acts like a singular noun, so it is a noun clause.

• NCs follow verbs as objects or complements or come before verbs as subjects •“Answers” the question “What?” - Example: - Q: What do you think? - A: 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

• AdjCs follow nouns clause.
• Often start with relative pronouns or relative adverbs
  • but the relative pronoun/adverb 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