Honors English 11 Name___________________

Davies - 2015-2016
Hour________

CLAUSES

A clause is a group of words that contains a verb and its subject and is used as part
of a sentence.

Kinds of Clauses

Although every clause has a subject and verb, not all clauses complete a complete
thought. Those that do are called independent clauses. Such clauses could be written as
separate sentences. We think of them as clauses when they are joined with one additional
clause or more in a single larger sentence.

An independent (or main) clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself.

Each independent clause has its own subject and verb and expresses a complete thought.
In this example, the clauses are joined by a comma and the coordinating conjunction and.
They could also be written with a semicolon between them:

Ms. Santana works in one of the law offices in downtown Oregon; she has a
successful practice.

or as separate sentences:

Ms. Santana works in one of the law offices in downtown Oregon. She has a
successful practice.

A subordinate (or dependent) clause does not express a complete thought and cannot
stand alone.

Subordinate means “lesser in rank or importance.” Subordinate clauses are so described

because they need an independent clause to complete their meaning.

Subordinate Clauses: before you know it

because I told him
after the show is over

These clauses sound incomplete to our ears because we know the subordinate part they
play in the sentences. Notice that the reason they sound incomplete is not that something
is missing in the clause. Just the reverse is true, for by omitting the first word we can
make each of these subordinate clauses into a complete sentence. Most subordinate
clauses are introduced by a word like when, if, until, or because that makes them
subordinate. When we hear a clause that starts with one of these words, we know that
there has to be at least one more clause in the sentence, and that at least one of the other
clauses must be independent.

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Exercise 1
Identifying Independent and Subordinate Clauses: Identify each underlined clause as
being either independent or subordinate. Please write the entire word on the line
provided.

____________________1. When my family sent to New York last summer, we visited

the Theodore Roosevelt museum.

____________________2. The museum has been established in the house where

Roosevelt was born.

____________________3. It is located in the basement floor of Roosevelt’s birthplace,

which is on East Twentieth Street.

____________________4. The museum contains books, letters, and documents that

pertain to Roosevelt’s public life.

____________________5. There are mounted heads of animals, a stuffed lion, and zebra
skins from the days when Roosevelt was hunting big game in Africa.

____________________6. Because Roosevelt was once a cowboy, there are also

branding irons and chaps.

____________________7. Before Theodore Roosevelt became President, he gained

fame in the Spanish-American War.

____________________8. During that war he led the Rough Riders, who made the
famous charge up San Juan Hill.

____________________9. Trophies that Roosevelt received during his life are on

exhibit in the museum.

___________________10. The Roosevelt Memorial Museum Association, which

established the museum, charges a nominal admission fee to visitors.

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THE USES OF SUBORDINATE CLAUSES

Subordinate clauses, like phrases, function in sentences as single parts of speech. A

subordinate clause can be used as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun, thus enabling us to
express ideas that are difficult or impossible to state with single-word nouns and
modifiers alone.

An adjective clause is a subordinate clause used as an adjective to modify a noun or

pronoun.

In the following sentences the arrow points to the noun or pronoun that each adjective
clause modifies.

This is the new music video that I like best.

Griffins, which are mythological beasts, are seen on many coats of arms.

The adjective clause follows the word it modifies, and it is sometimes set off by commas
and sometimes not. Commas should be used unless the clause answers the question
Which one? in which case no commas are used.

Relative Pronouns

Adjective clauses are generally introduced by relative pronouns. The relative pronouns
are who, whom, whose, which, and that. They are called relative because they relate the
adjective clause to the word that the clause modifies. Remember that the noun to which a
pronoun refers is the antecedent of the pronoun. The noun or pronoun modified by the
adjective clause, then, is the antecedent of the relative pronoun that introduces the clause.
Besides introducing the adjective clause, the relative pronoun has a function in the clause.

Examples Lois, who enjoys running, has decided to enter the marathon. [The
relative pronoun who relates the adjective clause to Lois. Who is used
as the subject of the adjective clause.]

Donna suggested the science project that I exhibited at the fair.

[Project, The word that the clause modifies, is the antecedent of the
relative pronoun that. The pronoun is used as the direct object in the
adjective clause.]

The students questioned the data on which the theory was based.
[The relative pronoun which is the object of the preposition on and relates
the adjective clause to the pronouns antecedent, data.]

Frequently the relative pronoun in the clause will be omitted. The pronoun is understood
and will still have a function in the clause.
Example Here is the cheeseburger you ordered. [The relative pronoun that is
understood. The pronoun relates the adjective clause to cheeseburger and
is used as the direct object in the adjective clause.]

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Occasionally an adjective clause will be introduced by the words where or when.

Examples They showed us the stadium where the game would be held.

Summer is the season when I feel happiest.

Exercise 2
Identifying Adjective Clauses: Underline the adjective clauses once in the following
sentences. Underline the relative pronoun that introduces the clause twice. Circle the
antecedent of the relative pronoun.

Example The students who published the yearbook felt proud.

1. The people who tape television commercials are called production workers.

2. At the aquarium we saw some frogs that are highly poisonous.

3. John Keats, who was one of the most promising of English poets, died in Rome.

4. The theater where we saw the movie is being renovated.

5. Is this the police officer whose quick thinking saved so many lives?

6. Lord Byron is the poet, who was called “the most interesting personality in
history.”

7. The young Byron attended a university that would not let him keep his dog in his
rooms.

8. Byron had a rebellious nature that often got him into trouble, but he also had quite
a sense of humor.

9. He deliberately acquired a pet for which the university had no rules.

10. Soon the authorities had to decide how to deal with a young poet who kept a tame
bear in his rooms.

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An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or and
adverb.

An adverb clause tells how, when, where, why, how much, to what extent, or under what
condition the action of the main verb takes place.

Examples After I had proofread my paper, I typed it. [The adverb clause After I
had proofread my paper tells when I typed it.]

Because manicotti takes so long to prepare, Joy makes it only on special

occasions. [Because manicotti takes so long to prepare tells why Joy
makes it only on special occasions.]

You may come with us if you want to. [If you want to tells under what
condition you may come with us.]

The adverb clauses in the examples above modify verbs. Adverb clauses may also
modify adjectives or adverbs.

Examples His pitching arm is stronger today than it ever was. [The adverb clause
modifies the adjective stronger, telling us to what extent his arm is
stronger.]

My cousin Adele reads faster than I do. [The adverb clause modifies the
adverb faster, telling how much faster my cousin Adele reads.]

Subordinating Conjunctions

Adverb clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions. Become familiar with

these words.

after before unless

although if until
as in order that when
as if since whenever
as long as so that where
as soon as than wherever
because though while

Note: Remember that after, before, since, until, and as may also be used as
prepositions.

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Exercise 3
Identifying and Classifying Adverb Clauses: In the following sentences underline the
adverb clauses once. Circle the subordinating conjunction and then write what the
clause tells: when, where, how, why, how much, under what condition. (A sentence may
have more than one adverb clause. Remember that introductory adverb clauses are
usually set off by commas.)

1. If you have never read any of Robert Frost’s poetry, you might like to read about
him first.

2. Robert Frost and his family moved to New England when Frost was ten years old.

3. While Frost was growing up, he held many different jobs.

4. After he had taught awhile, he attended Harvard University.

5. Frost decided to move to England after he had studied at Harvard for two years.

6. While Frost was in England, he published two books of poetry.

7. After the public in England had read his poetry, they acclaimed Frost as a great
poet.

8. When Frost returned to the United States, he continued writing poetry.

9. Though Frost describes New England landscapes in his poems, the meanings of
the poems themselves are much deeper.

10. You might like to keep some of Frost’s books of poetry so that you will have
them when you want them.

Exercise 4
Writing Sentences with Adverb Clauses: Write ten original sentences of your own
using the following subordinate clauses as adverbs.

1. if you read Emily Dickinson’s poetry

2. although he liked pizza

________________________________________________________________________

3. whenever we play our cds

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 4. while she was studying for her history exam

5. after your sister finishes her tennis game

6. so that you can mail it

7. as if he wanted to say something

8. if the dog digs under the fence

9. when you get home from school

10. unless my mother says otherwise

A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun.

A noun clause may be used as a subject, a complement (predicate nominative, direct

object, indirect object), or the object of a preposition.

Nouns Noun Clauses

Subject: Her action was brave. What she did was brave.
Predicate nominative: The winner will be the fastest. The winner will be whoever
runner. runs fastest.
Direct object: She learned the answer. She learned what the answer
was.
Indirect object: We tell each caller the sale prices. We tell whoever calls the
sale prices.
Object of preposition: He checks the ID’s of visitors. He checks the ID’s of
whoever visits.

Noun clauses are usually introduced by that, what, whatever, who, whoever, whom and
whomever.

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Examples They did not know who it could be. [The introductory word who is the
predicate nominative of the noun clause – it could be who.]

Show us what you brought. [The introductory word what is the direct
object of the noun clause – you brought what.]

She wished that she were older. [The introductory word that has no
other function in the sentence.]

Like adjective clauses, noun clauses are sometimes used without the introductory word.
Compare the noun clauses in the following sentences:

His mother said that he could go.

His mother said he could go. [The introductory word that is understood.]

Exercise 5
Identifying and Classifying Noun Clauses: Underline the noun clause in each sentence.
Then identify how the noun clause is used: subject, predicate nominative, direct object,
indirect object, or object of a preposition.

1. We moved to New England and did not know what we would find there.

2. What surprised me first were the yellowish green fire engines.

3. I had thought that fire engines were always red.

4. Our new neighbors explained that the unusual color kept the fire engines from
being confused with other large red trucks.

5. My sister Patti was surprised by what she saw at the bowling alley.

6. The small grapefruit-sized bowling balls with no holes were not what she was
used to!

7. Whoever can knock down the pins with one of those bowling balls must be an
expert.

8. We learned that this sport is called “candlepin bowling.”

9. I was pleasantly surprised by the delicious New England ice cream.

10. They should give an award to whoever invented New England ice cream.

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SENTENCES CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO STRUCTURE

Classified according to structure, there are four kinds of sentences: simple,

compound, complex, and compound-complex.

A simple sentence has one independent clause and no subordinate clauses. It has
only one subject and one verb, although both may be compound.

Examples Several states have elected women to public office.

In 1953, Oveta Culp Hobby was named Secretary of Health, Education,

and Welfare, a newly created Cabinet post.

American women have held positions of responsible political leadership

in the development of our nation.

A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses but no subordinate

clauses.

Examples President Franklin Roosevelt appointed Frances Perkins Secretary of

Labor in 1933; since then, several other women have been Cabinet
members.

In 1977 President Carter appointed Patricia Roberts Harris Secretary

of Housing and Urban Development, and thus the United States had
its first African-American woman Cabinet member.

Amanda loved the sound of the orchestra at her school’s winter concert,
and she decided to study the violin.

A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.

Examples As we study the history of our government, we become aware that many
women have been appointed or elected to high government positions.

Martha Layne Collins of Kentucky was the third woman governor who
did not follow her husband into office.

In 1984 presidential campaign, Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman

who was nominated vice-presidential candidate for a major party.
When students have mastered the basics and can actually create music
with this stubborn instrument, they have reason to be proud.

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A compound-complex sentence contains two or more independent clauses and at
least one subordinate clause.

Examples President Ronald Reagan, who was elected in 1980, appointed three
women to key posts; these were Elizabeth Dole, Secretary of
Transportation; Margaret Heckler, Secretary of Health and Human
Services; and Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, Ambassador to the United
Nations.

We know that women will continue to hold high positions in government,

but when will a woman win the presidency?

Amanda did not always enjoy the many hours of practice, but they were
necessary because the instrument is so complicated.

Playing with others adds another dimension, and the excitement of

concerts and recitals is something that these young musicians might want
to experience.

Review
Identifying and Classifying Subordinate Clauses: Underline the subordinate clauses
in each of the following sentences. Identify the clause as adjective, adverb, or noun. If
the clause is used as an adjective or adverb, write the word it modifies. If the clause is
used as a noun, write subject, direct object, indirect object, predicate nominative, or
object of the preposition.

Examples The Sun also Rises is the first full-length novel that Ernest Hemingway
wrote. adjective – novel

Our teacher asked us what authors we liked best. noun – direct object

1. Do you know that our history test is next week?

2. John and I studied the chapter that our teacher had assigned us.

3. I read George Orwell’s 1984, which was on the best-seller list last week.

4. As soon as we get to the park, we should have lunch.

5. The ship on which we are sailing is eighty feet long.

6. I do not know what happened.

7. Congress can send the bill to the President after both houses have passed it.

8. My old house looked smaller than I had remembered it.

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 9. Everyone helped to bake the bread that Marc delivered to the fair.

10. My friend met Russell Baker, who is the writer for The New York Times, and she
asked him for his autograph.

Classifying Sentences According to Structure: Classify each of the following

sentences according to its structure. Be sure that you can identify all subordinate and
independent clauses.

Example When the judges announced the winners, Paul and Carol stood up and
cheered. complex

11. Marcia was the treasurer of her class last year; this year she is president.

12. Since my brother bought his calculator, he has mad fewer mistakes in his monthly
checking statement.

13. The author is touring several cities to promote his book; he will be in Chicago at
the end of October.

14. I have read many books by John Steinbeck, but my favorite is The Grapes of
Wrath.

15. Do you know the date of our math exam?

16. After school the three of us went to the park and played basketball.

17. In 1776 the members of Congress signed the Declaration of Independence, in

which the colonies declared their freedom from Britain.

18. John exhibited his science project at the fair, and he won first prize.

19. The doctor whom I see is my friend’s grandfather.

20. The flowers that I planted last spring are now in bloom.

21. Would you please pay for that dress now so that we can leave this store?

22. We know that the restaurant is open on Sunday, but is it open now?

23. If the DVD is damaged, you may return it for another.

24. Mrs. Thompson knows that the show starts at eight o’clock, and she will be on
time.

25. Please see your guidance counselor if you do not know what courses you should
take.

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 Writing a Variety of Sentence Structures: Write your own sentences according to
the following guidelines.

1. A simple sentence with a compound verb

2. A complex sentence with an adjective clause

3. A compound-complex sentence

4. A compound sentence with two independent clauses joined by the conjunction but

5. A complex sentence with a noun clause used as a subject

6. A simple sentence with a compound subject

7. A complex sentence with an adverb clause placed at the end of the sentence

8. A complex sentence with a noun clause used as a direct object

9. A compound sentence with two independent clauses joined by the conjunction or

10. A complex sentence with a noun clause used as an object of a preposition.

(Source Used: Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition: Third Course)

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