CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words that contains a SUBJECT and a VERB. There are 2
types of clauses: DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT.
INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
An Independent Clause has a Subject and a Verb: it is a complete THOUGHT.
It serves as a sentence by itself. Examples:
1.- He goes to the library
2.- She will do her homework in the afternoon.
3.- Pedro reads.
DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
A dependent clause is an INCOMPLETE Thought and cannot stand alone as a
sentence. Although it may have a subject and a verb, it is not a complete
thought, it is DEPENDENT. Examples:
1.- Before he naps
2.- Because they were studying
3.- After she had finished to study biology
COMBINING CLAUSES
We can combine Clauses 2 ways:
1.- Independent clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent clause.
I was ready for the exam after I had studied all night.
She worked on her homework while I was making dinner.
2.- Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause + Independent Clause
Because I was studying, I couldn’t go to the party.
If
you want to get a good grade, you should
study hard.
