CLAUSES
A clause is a group of words,
and there are two types of
clauses.
Independent
Clauses
Dependent
Clauses

Independent Clause
Has both a subject and a
verb.
 Makes up a complete
thought, with no missing
elements.
 Is the same as a sentence.


Example: People like this
school.

Dependent Clause
Does not make a complete
thought.
 When on its own, is the same
as a fragment. If joined to
an independent clause, can
made a complete sentence.
 Is missing either a subject or
a verb, or it has some other
element that makes it
incomplete.

Example: Because it has
many beautiful trees.
 Running on empty.
 People like this school
because it has many
beautiful trees.

THE PIECES OF AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE
He
loves computer games.
Verb
Subject
Verb


Subject
Dave
Subject
and Tina are peaceful
people.
THE PIECES OF A DEPENDENT CLAUSE (BOTH
OF THESE ARE ALONE, SO THEY ARE
FRAGMENTS)
Waiting
for my mom.
Kind of a
verb, kind of
not.
No Subject!
Has two subjects but no verb.
The
television and radio.
ANOTHER TYPE OF DEPENDENT CLAUSE/FRAGMENT
MIGHT HAVE A SUBJECT AND VERB BUT ALSO
CONTAINS A WORD THAT MAKES IT INCOMPLETE.
Because
you already know
me.
If
Miguel flies in from
Cancun.
As
though the fall had hurt.
THERE ARE SIX TYPES OF FRAGMENTS (SEE
MORE ABOUT THESE IN WRITING WITH CONFIDENCE.)
Missing or
incomplete
verbs
Although
/because
Fragments
Who,/Which/
That
Fragments
Missing subject
Infinitives and
–ing words
FRAGMENTS ARE NOT
ACCEPTABLE IN COLLEGE OR
PROFESSIONAL WRITING. THEY
MUST BE FIXED.
1.
2.
Identify the fragment (in other words, the dependent
clause on its own, masquerading as a sentence).
Add the missing subject or verb or independent clause,
or subtract a word that makes the clause dependent.
IDENTIFY A FRAGMENT BY ITS MISSING SUBJECT OR
VERB, OR ITS GENERAL INCOMPLETENESS. THEN FIX
IT IN ONE OF TWO WAYS.
Cut out the word
that creates
incompleteness.
• Because you already
know me.
• You already know me.
Add an independent • Because you already
clause, which will
know me, you can be
make the dependent
familiar with my
clause a legitimate
family.
part of a larger
sentence.