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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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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