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Session 10: Complex Sentences Name Date

(Dependent / Independent Clauses)

A clause is a group of words that has a subject + a verb.

There are two kinds of clauses: independent (main) and dependent (subordinate)
Independent clauses make complete sense by themselves. (ex: I ran.)
Dependent clauses do NOT make complete sense by themselves. (ex: When I ran…)
There are three types of dependent clauses: adjective, noun, adverb

Adjective Clauses

These function exactly the same as a one-word or phrasal adjective.

Most dependent clauses can be differentiated by the clause word they use. These are words that begin the
clause.
In adjective clauses, these words that commonly begin the clause are called relative pronouns and are who,
whom, that, which, when, where.

Who – describes the person that is the subject of the clause.

(ex: The girl who is standing outside is wearing a red hat.)

Whom – describes the person that is the object of the clause.

(ex: The girl whom I met was very funny.)

That – describes a thing that is the subject or the object of the clause.
That is used when stating an adjective that is essential for the sentence to make sense.
(ex: The chair that is broken can be dangerous to children.)

Which – describes a thing that is the subject or the object of the clause.
Which is used when stating an adjective that is non-essential for the sentence to make sense.
(ex: The chairs, which are in the room, are gray.)
Non-essential adjective clauses are separated from the rest of the sentence by commas.

Exercise 1
Directions: In the following passage, underline each adjective clause and circle the noun or pronoun it modifies.
Put a second line under the relative pronoun in the clause.

Are you a person who is shy? Or are you a person who is outgoing? And why are you shy or outgoing? Are these
characteristics that you had at birth? Or are they characteristics that came from your life experiences? These are
questions that psychologists have been trying to answer for a long time. According to modern psychologists, a
combination of biological factors and experiences shaped your personality. This is something that mothers know,
too. Each child seems different from the others, even as a newborn. And as her children grow, the mother can see
differences in their experiences. She can see how the experiences that her children have help to shape their
personalities. Sometimes the theories that psychologists develop express what mothers have always known.

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Exercise 2
Directions: Complete the sentences with the adjective clauses in parentheses. Write the adjective clauses after
the nouns or pronouns that they modify. Use commas where needed.

1. The people are older now. (who are in the photo)

2. My aunt lives in New Mexico now. (who likes to paint)

3. My aunts and uncles have telephone conversations. (that last for hours)

4. I’ve had some great vacations with my uncle (who is a mountain climber)

5. The bird-watching book is very popular. (that my uncle wrote)

6. My aunt is someone. (whom you would really like)

7. My outgoing uncle has become a talk show host, so now he has a job. (that is perfect for his personality)

8. People often comment on the differences in their personalities and interests. (who know my mother and her
brothers and sisters)
Exercise 3
Directions: Combine the sentences. Use the second sentence to make an adjective clause. Use any
appropriate relative pronoun. Use commas where needed.

1. A big family lives in the house. The house is next door to mine.

2. The little girls are very talkative. They are outgoing.

3. The little girl takes longer to make new friends. She is shy.

4. Have you met the people? They live next door.

5. I talked to a person. The person knows my sisters.

6. Sleeping until noon is an activity. The activity appeals to my lazy sister.

7. An activity is going running at 6 am. The activity appeals to my energetic sister.

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8. Elvira’s two brothers have very different personalities. Her brothers are interested in Africa.

9. The timid brother collects stamps. The stamps come from countries in Africa.

10. The adventurous brother wrestles with crocodiles. The crocodiles live in rivers in Africa.

Exercise 4
Directions: Combine the sentences. Use the second sentence to make an adjective clause. Use any
appropriate relative pronoun. Use commas where needed.

1. The woman is creative. Jerry is dating the woman.

2. The pickle ice cream was delicious. She made the ice cream.

3. The story was true. I heard it.

4. I heard the story from a person. I trust the person.

5. Arthur isn’t shy when he is around people. He knows them well.

6. The discussion was very serious. Arthur and I had the discussion recently.

7. The most fun-loving person is Tony. I know the person.

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Adverb Clauses

These function exactly the same as a one-word or phrasal adverb.

Adverb clauses can be divided into
time clause
reason clause
purpose clause
contrast clause
Adverb clauses commonly begin with subordinating conjunctions that tell when, where, why, how, or under
what conditions something happens.
Subordinating conjunctions
Time – after, before, since, when, until, while, as, as long as, as soon as, once, whenever
Reason – because, since, as
Purpose – so (that)
Contrast – while, even though, although,
Commas must be used when the adverb clause begins the sentence.
Adverb clause , comma independent clause.
Independent clause + adverb clause. [no comma]

Exercise 5
Directions: The following passage contains 6 adverb clauses. Underline each adverb clause and circle the
subordinating conjunction.

Before they try to sell a product, advertisers need to know which group of consumers would be most likely to buy it.
Advertisers call these consumers the “target market” for the product. The target market for a product may be very
large or relatively small. Because they want to advertise effectively, advertisers do a great deal of research on the
consumers in the target market. They try to find out about the consumers’ habits, interests, opinions, and buying
behavior.
Advertisers use various techniques to get information from and about consumers. When consumers buy a product,
they are often asked to fill out a questionnaire. They are asked to comment on products or advertisements in
telephone surveys or in group interviews. Advertisers also observe consumers while they are shopping. Although
consumers may not be aware of it, advertisers gather data about their Internet shopping habits, too. After
advertisers have collected all this information, they analyze it. Then they make decisions about products and
advertising.

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Exercise 6: Time Clauses

Directions: Use the subordinating conjunction in parentheses to combine the pairs of sentences in two different
orders. Use commas where needed.

1. People began doing research in the 1920s. Advertisers have learned a great deal about how trends spread
through a group. (since)

2. A new product is introduced. Only a few people begin using it. (when)

3. Innovators try a new product. They hear that it is available. (as soon as)

4. Innovators adopt a new product. Some people will try it. (once)

5. Advertisers must think about the product’s appeal. They plan their advertising strategies. (as)

6. Consumers are convinced that a product is good. They don’t buy it. (until)

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Exercise 7: Reason & Purpose Clauses

Directions: Use the subordinating conjunction in parentheses to combine the pairs of sentences in two different
orders. Use commas where needed.

1. I needed a computer for my school work. I’d been looking at computer ads. (because)

2. I was confused. I needed help. (since)

3. I asked a friend for advice. Computers are so expensive. (because)

4. Lots of her friends trust her opinion. She is an expert. (as)

5. We buy products. We can fulfill our needs and desires. (so that)

6. Jay drove a luxury car. He can show that he had achieved financial success. (so that)

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Exercise 8: Contrast Clauses

Directions: Use the subordinating conjunction in parentheses to combine the pairs of sentences in two different
orders. Use commas where needed.

1. We didn’t need to buy anything. We went to the shopping mall. (although)

2. We bought snacks at the food court. We had had a big lunch. (even though)

3. The mall was noisy and crowded. We had a good time. (though)

4. Some people like shopping. Others hate it. (while)

5. Some people prefer to eat dinner at home. Others prefer to eat out. (while)

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Noun Clauses

These function exactly the same as a one-word or phrasal noun.

Noun clauses can be used as the subject, object, or the object of preposition in a sentence.
Noun clauses commonly begin with that, who, what, where, how, why and if/whether.

Exercise 9
Directions: The following passage contains 9 noun clauses. Underline each noun clause and circle the word that
introduces it. Indicate how the noun clause is used in the sentence as subject, object, or object or
preposition.
Dear Editor:
I am extremely disappointed about the genre fiction in your magazine last month. That this inclusion is
inappropriate is obvious to any serious reader. A literary magazine is supposed to be about literature – written
works of art. Literature is fiction that is original and uses poetic language. With literature, you must read carefully
and think about whether you understand the meaning. It is clear that genre fiction is the opposite of literature.
Genre fiction just follows formulas. Reading genre fiction is like watching TV. My position is that you should stick to
literature from now on.
Dear Editor:
As a writer of genre fiction, I feel that I must respond to Professor Burton. First, 90 percent of all new fiction
published is genre fiction. I don’t know why the professor wants us to ignore 90 percent of all new fiction. Second, I
believe that most fiction includes borrowed ideas. Even Shakespeare got most of his stories from other sources!
Third, genre fiction deals with the same issues that the greatest works of literature deal with. Finally, I don’t
understand why the professor thinks watching TV is so bad. Perhaps he’s a snob. That TV and genre fiction can
bring people pleasure seems obvious and important.

Exercise 10
Directions: Use the words in parentheses to complete the noun clause.

1. It is obvious ________________________________________________________________________
(each genre / have its own rules)

2. For mysteries, a main rule is _____________________________________________________________

(the crime / must / be / important)

3. ________________________________________________________________ isn’t much of a puzzle.

(why / mysteries / be called / “page turners”)

4. As she read, she tried to notice ___________________________________________________________

(what / the clues / be)

5. I wonder ___________________________________________________________________________
(where / Julia / be)

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