Clauses (verb & subject) – Independent & Subordinate
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The Clause: Independent and Subordinate Clauses
Holt Handbook, Chapter 4: The Clause
A clause is a word group that contains a verb and its subject and that is used as a
sentence or part of a sentence.
There are two main types of clauses: independent and subordinate.
I. Independent Clauses
An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand by itself as a
sentence. An independent clause can also be called a main clause.
Note: An independent clause by itself is generally called a sentence.
Example: Although I was tired, I stayed up to watch “Lost”.
II. Subordinate Clauses
A subordinate clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand by itself as a
sentence. A subordinate clause can be used as an adjective, a noun, or an adverb in a
sentence.
Example: when she went to the store
It becomes complete when it is combined with an independent clause.
Example: She bought fruits and vegetables when she went to the store.
There are three types of subordinate clauses: the adjective clause, the noun clause, and
the adverb clause.
Tip: Overusing short, simple sentences can lead to choppy writing. One way to avoid
choppy sentences is to change some sentences into subordinate clauses.
Types of Subordinate Clauses
Clauses are categorized according to how the clause is being used (what part of speech).
a. Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or a pronoun. Adjective
clauses usually start with relative pronouns (that, which, who, whom, whose).
Example: I watch Pirates of the Caribbean last night, which was the most popular
movie of the year.
To modify a place or time, an adjective clause may begin with when or where. These
words are called relative adverbs.
Clauses (verb & subject) – Independent & Subordinate
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Example: She wrote about the time when she won the championship.
Sometimes the relative pronoun or relative adverb is not expressed, but it is understood.
Example: The game [that] I played yesterday was exciting.
An adjective clause can be essential or nonessential. An essential clause provides
information that is necessary to the meaning of the sentence. A nonessential clause
provides additional information that can be omitted.
b. The Adverb Clause
An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb.
An adverb clause tells how when, where, why, to what extent, or under what conditions.
Example: Donna sounds as if she has caught a cold. [The adverb clause modifies the
verb sounds, telling how Donna sounds]
As long as he starts early, he will arrive on time. [The adverb clause modifies the verb
will arrive, telling under what condition he will arrive on time.]
Subordinating Conjunctions
An adverb clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction – a word that shows the
relationship between the adverb clause and the word or words that modify the clause
modifies. Unlike a relative pronoun, which introduces an adjective clause, a
subordinating conjunction does not serve a grammatical function in the clause it
introduces.
Common subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, because, since, though, etc.
NOTE: Some subordinating conjunctions can also be used as adverbs (HH p.20) or
prepositions (HH p.24). (See page 97 in the Holt Handbook for more subordinating
conjunctions)
c. The Noun Clause
A noun clause is a subordinate clause that is used as a noun. It may be used as a subject,
a predicate nominative, a direct object, an indirect object or the object of a preposition.
Example: The team will meet at whatever time the coach specifies.
Note: Another kind of noun clause is the infinitive clause which consists of an infinitive
with a subject, along with any modifiers and complements the infinitive has.
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