Clause

Performance Indicators:

P.S. ELA-1 Language:   Demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

A. Notice and correct grammatical and mechanical errors in writing.
B. Demonstrate command of correct sentence structure and variety.
C. Apply standard usage to formal speaking and writing.

Add these definitions to the Phrase vocabulary assigned previously.  You will be able to use the definitions on the upcoming Clause/Phrase Test.

Clause/Phrase Terms

CLAUSE-  a group of words consisting of a subject and its predicate (verb)

INDEPENDENT CLAUSE– a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence

SUBORDINATE CLAUSE- a clause that cannot stand alone as a separate sentence since its meaning depends on the meaning of the main clause and simply gives additional information. In the sentence

ADJECTIVE CLAUSE- A subordinate clause that usually begins with a relative pronoun and serves to modify a noun or pronoun.

EXAMPLE:  Those people whose names are on the list will go to the assembly.

ADVERB CLAUSE- A group of words containing a subject and its verb that modifies a verb, adjective or adverb. 

EXAMPLE:  As soon as I saw you, I knew something was wrong.

 

NONRESTRICTIVE CLAUSE- A subordinate clause that does not limit or restrict the meaning of the noun phrase that it modifies.  

EXAMPLE: 
 James Belanger, who talks a great deal in class, could do better on the test.

COORDINATING CONJUNCTION-Coordinating conjunctions, also called coordinators, are conjunctions that join two or more items of equal syntactic importance, such as words, main clauses, or sentences.   Recognize a coordinating conjunction when you see one. And, but, for, nor, or, so, and yet—these are the seven coordinating conjunctions. To remember all seven, you might want to learn this acronym: FANBOYS,

EXAMPLE:  Jade went to the office and Logan went to the nurse.

F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so

SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION– a conjunction that begins an adverb clause while serving to join the clause to the rest of the sentence.

after
although
as
because
before
even if
even though
if
in order that
once
provided that
rather than
since
so that
than
that
though
unless
until
when
whenever
where
whereas
wherever
whether
while
why

EXAMPLE:  He was wearing a coat, although it was hot

As opposed to…

He was wearing a coat, yet it was hot.

Determine whether the following underlined clauses are independent or subordinate by placing I for independent or  S for subordinate in the space next to each sentence.

_____1. Henry tasted the cookie batter while Owen looked on in disbelief.

_____2. Josh plays football and Michaela plays the piano.

_____3. Josh plays football while Michaela plays the piano.

_____4. Tony warned us about the earthquake since he was interested in science.

_____5. Jacey is always chirping away even though he is normally quite shy.

_____6. Jade ran away from the monster but he caught her anyway.

_____7. Hunter can yodel quite well for he is a national champion.

_____8.Kody shot a bear in the woods, however, no one saw him do it.

_____9. Tyler and Donald flew to Jamaica while the storm raged on.

_____10. Donald went to the zoo where he raced an alligator in the pool.

_____11. Jayce and Henry fought as Josh whistled “Why can’t we be friends.”

_____12. After winning the trophy as the best yodeler Hunter climbed the Matterhorn.

_____13. Logan slept during the instruction, but he still passed the test.

_____14. Logan slept during the instruction, still, he still passed the test.

_____15. Jade does not like snakes; they slither around her pillow while she sleeps.

_____16. As Owen rushed to the door, the crazy man chased him.

 _____17. Jayce laughed hysterically, for he was the crazy man.

 _____18. Tony looked concerned as he wondered whether the beans were spoiled.

 _____19. Tyler strummed a song on his guitar; it was a shoe-stomping melody.

 _____20. As the entire class got to dancing, the teachers just rolled their eyes.

Use the following link to practice your understanding of independent and subordinate (dependent clauses).  Other practice quizzes are included if you desire to improve your understanding of the upcoming clause test.

Clause Practice #1

Clause Practice #2

Clause Practice #3

Clause Practice #4