Module 5 lesson 5.1
- 1. A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb. There are two kinds of clauses in English: independent clauses and dependent clauses. Module 5 Independent and Dependent Clauses
- 2. INDEPENDENT CLAUSE An independent clausehas one SV pair and expresses a complete thought. Independent clause is just another name for a simple sentence. Examples: It rained. S V Paris has excellent art museums. S V We finished our homework. S V
- 3. DEPENDENT CLAUSE A dependent clause is an independent clause with a subordinating word, such as because, after, and when added to the beginning of it. Examples: … after it rained... S V … because Paris has excellent art museums… SV … when we finished our homework… S V SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION
- 4. A dependent clause doesn’t express a complete thought, so it is not a sentence by itself. It is only have a sentence. It MUST be joined to an independent clause. TOGETHER, the two clauses express a complete thought. Examples: INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT CLAUSE Art students should visit Paris because it has excellent art museums. DEPENDENT CLAUSE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE After we finished our homework, we watched TV for a while.
- 5. There are many subordinating words that can make a dependent clause. We call them adverb subordinators because they introduce dependent clauses that act like adverbs. They answer the questions when?, why?, where?, and so on. Adverb Subordinators
- 6. Certain adverb subordinators introduce time clauses. Here are some common time subordinators. After: I will go to bed after I finish this presentation. As soon as: She felt better as soon as she took the medicine. Before: Wait for a green light before you cross.
- 7. Until: We can’t leave until everyone finishes. When: Where were you when I called? Whenever: Whenever I don’t eat, I get a headache. While: She was listening to music while I was studying.
- 8. CAUTION! A few times subordinators are also prepositions. Prepositions are followed by nouns. Subordinators are followed by subject-verb combinations. after my accident (preposition) Noun after Ihad an accident (subordinator) S V Before class (preposition) Noun Before class begins (subordinator) S V Information taken from: Hogue, A. (2008). First steps in academic writing. Longman: N.Y.