Clause Types

Independent & Dependent and

Lets start with a simple sentence

I bought a book.
This sentence has the three basic elements
required of either a simple sentence or a
clause:

Subject = I
Verb = bought
Object = a book

Now, lets add another clause

While my mother drank her coffee,
I bought a book.

Now we have a two clause sentence, but these clauses

are not the same.
The original clause I bought a book can stand on its
own as a simple sentence. It expresses a complete
thought by itself. Therefore, it is called an independent
clause.

Independent Clause (IC)

An independent clause is a

S + V / O bject
or C omplement
or A dverbial
unit that expresses a complete thought and could stand
on its own as a simple sentence.
Whether you find an independent clause by itself as a
simple sentence or joined with other clauses, you
will be able to identify it because it:
is

a S+V/ unit that

expresses a complete thought

But what about the other clause?

While my mother drank her coffee,
I bought a book.
If we only consider the first clause,

while my

mother drank her coffee, we are left with a

question in our minds, What happened while your
mother drank her coffee?!

This clause can not stand on its own as a simple

sentence. It requires another clause to a complete its
meaning. Therefore, it is called an dependent clause.

Dependent Clause (DC)

A dependent clause is a

S + V / O bject
or C omplement
or A dverbial

unit that does not express a complete thought and

stand on its own as a simple sentence.

can not

A dependent clause must always be connected to an

independent clause. You will be able to identify it
because it:
is a S+V/ unit that
does not express a complete thought on its
own

Dependent Clauses
There are

3 different types of dependent clauses.

Noun Clause (NC)

Adjective Clause (AdjC)
Adverb Clause (AdvC)

Noun Clause (NC)

[S+V/]

that acts like a noun

Example: I think [you are sick].
sick].
S V
O
Objects are nouns; this entire
clause acts like a singular noun,
so it is a noun clause.

NCs usually follow verbs as objects or complements

Answers the question What?
Example:
Q: What do you think?
A: I think Spiderman is the best superhero.

Noun Clause (NC) -- continued

NCs can begin with that
that is a subordinating conjunction that
joins it to an IC
makes the clause it begins depend on the
IC to complete its meaning.
that is often omitted by native speakers:
Example:
thinkthat
Spiderman
is the
bestbest
superhero.
I Ithink
Spiderman
is the
superhero.

Adjective Clause (AdjC)

[S+V/] that acts like an adjective

[that
I am
reading]
Example: The story [that
I am
reading]
is sad.

relative
pronoun

This entire clause acts like an

adjective, so it is an adjective
clause.

AdjCs follow nouns

Often start with relative pronouns
but the relative pronoun can be omitted
if the clause has another noun to serve as
the subject
EX: The story [I am reading]is sad.

Adverb Clause (AdvC)

[S+V/]

that acts like an adverb

Example:

[After we drove to the mall] , we looked

for a bookstore.
This clause gives information
about how or why the action
happened, so it acts like an
adverb.

AdvCs always begin with a subordinating conjunction

after

although

even though
when

if

as
since

because
unless

before
until