Unit 4: Clauses and
Sentence Structure
Main and Subordinate Clauses
LESSON 23
Main clause
• Main clause contains a subject and a predicate. Also called
independent because it can stand alone as a sentence.
• The baby cried.
• Subordinate clause, or dependent clause, contains a subject and
predicate but cannot stand alone. This type of clause must be used
with a main clause in order to make sense. It usually begins with
• a subordinate conjunction(lesson 10- see next slide);
• a relative pronoun such as who, whom, whose, whoever,
whomever, which, whichever, that, what, whosoever, whatever;
• Maya is the student who wrote the article.
• or a relative adverb, such as when, where, or why.
• The baby cried when the dog barked loudly.
• When the dog barked loudly, the baby cried.
Subordinating Conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions join
two ideas, or clauses, so that one is
grammatically dependent on the
other.
• Example: He listened to the
music until he fell asleep.
• Example: Whenever I see a
mountain, I want to climb it.
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• In order that •
• Since
After
Although
As
As far as
As if
As long as
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
If
So
So that
Than
Thought
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Whereas
Wherever
While
Practice
• Directions: Draw one line under the subordinate
clause or clauses in each sentence.
• Example: While I hem the skirt, will you finish
the blouse?
1. After the storm cleared, the flight took off.
2. You will learn to speak Spanish if you practice.
3. I know a girl who sings in the chorus.
4. Although English is my favorite subject, I also
like algebra.
5. We can go to the mall unless you are too busy.
Practice: Answers
• Directions: Draw one line under the subordinate
clause or clauses in each sentence.
• Example: While I hem the skirt, will you finish
the blouse?
1. After the storm cleared, the flight took off.
2. You will learn to speak Spanish if you practice.
3. I know a girl who sings in the chorus.
4. Although English is my favorite subject, I also
like algebra.
5. We can go to the mall unless you are too busy.
Simple and Compound Sentences
LESSON 24
Simple and Compound Sentences
• Simple sentence contains one main clause and no subordinate
clauses. The simple sentence may not appear to be simple. It
may have a compound subject or a compound predicate. It
may also contain modifiers. As long as it has only one main
clause, it is a simple sentence.
• Sally and Maria sang a beautiful duet.
• Compound sentence contains two or more main clauses that
are usually joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunction
(lesson 10 –see next slide),
• Maria sang one of her own songs, and Robert danced.
• Maria sang, Robert danced, and Sally played the piano.
Conjunctions
• A word that joins single words or groups of words
• Coordinating Conjunction joins words or groups of words that have
equal grammatical weight in a sentence.
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For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
• Example: Germaine washed the dishes and
dried them.
• Example: The squirrel buried the nut, but the
dog dug it up.
Practice
• Directions: write s if the sentence is simple or c if it is
compound.
• Example: __S___ Marcus and Wolfgang, brothers from
Germany, toured the United States and Canada last Spring.
1. _____ The polio vaccine was developed by Jonal Salk and
Albert Sabin.
2. _____ My little bother Jake got a toy in his breakfast-cereal
box.
3. _____ We watched the baseball game, and we went for ice
cream afterward.
4. _____ A red car pulled up to the house, and a girl climbed
out.
5. _____ One of the remotes controlled the stereo and
another controlled the television.
Practice
• Directions: write s if the sentence is simple or c if it is
compound.
• Example: __S___ Marcus and Wolfgang, brothers from
Germany, toured the United States and Canada last Spring.
1. __S___ The polio vaccine was developed by Jonal Salk and
Albert Sabin.
2. __S___ My little bother Jake got a toy in his breakfast-cereal
box.
3. __C___ We watched the baseball game, and we went for ice
cream afterward.
4. __C___ A red car pulled up to the house, and a girl climbed
out.
5. __C___ One of the remotes controlled the stereo and
another controlled the television.
Complex and Compound-Complex
Sentences
LESSON 25
Compound and Compound-Complex Sentences
• Complex sentence contains one main clause and one or more
subordinate clauses.
• When she heard the applause, Beth felt proud.
• Compound-Complex Sentence has more than one main
clause and one or more subordinate clauses.
• Although we had difficulty deciding, we finally chose a
destination, and Dad bought the airline tickets.
Practice
• Directions: draw one line under each main clause and two
lines under each subordinate clause. Then write c if the
sentence is complex or cc if the sentence is compoundcomplex.
• Example: __C___ As we neared the hot-air balloon festival,
the sky looked like a fairyland.
1. _____ Until they were called home, the children played
happily.
2. _____ When we went to the opera, we saw Luciano
Pavarotti, but we didn’t get to see Placido Domingo.
3. _____ Although I didn’t brew it long, the coffee tastes bitter,
and I will not drink it.
4. _____ As the morning bell rang, the students rushed quickly
into class.
5. _____ I have always volunteered at the hospital because I
enjoy helping others.
Practice
• Directions: draw one line under each main clause and two
lines under each subordinate clause. Then write c if the
sentence is complex or cc if the sentence is compoundcomplex.
• Example: __C___ As we neared the hot-air balloon festival,
the sky looked like a fairyland.
1. __C___ Until they were called home, the children played
happily.
2. __CC___ When we went to the opera, we saw Luciano
Pavarotti, but we didn’t get to see Placido Domingo.
3. __CC___ Although I didn’t brew it long, the coffee tastes
bitter, and I will not drink it.
4. __C___ As the morning bell rang, the students rushed
quickly into class.
5. __C___ I have always volunteered at the hospital because I
enjoy helping others.
Adjective Clauses
LESSON 26
Adjective Clauses
• An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun
or pronoun. Remember that a subordinate clause contains a
subject and verb but cannot stand alone. An adjective clause
usually begins with a relative pronoun, such as who, whom,
whose, that, and which or a subordinating conjunction, such as
where or when.
• The book that I lent him is now overdue. (The adjective clause
modifies the noun book.)
• Sometimes the relative pronoun or subordinating conjunction is
left out.
• The book I lent him is now overdue.
• An adjective clause can be essential or non-essential to the
meaning of a sentence. An essential adjective clause is an
adjective clause that cannot be omitted from a sentence without
changing its meaning. A nonessential adjective clause can be
omitted from a sentence, and the meaning of the sentence will
remain the same.
Practice
• Directions: Underline the adjective clause, and circle the noun or
pronoun it modifies.
• Example: The lamb that Dena showed at the fair placed second in
its division.
1. The basketball player whom I admired most retired last year.
2. The company that I worked for last summer went out of
business.
3. The Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted three days, ended in
victory for the Union soldiers.
4. The chair that we bought at the garage sale looks great in the
living room.
5. The telegraph, which was the forerunner of the telephone,
transmits signals over a wire.
Practice
• Directions: Underline the adjective clause, and circle the noun or
pronoun it modifies.
• Example: The lamb that Dena showed at the fair placed second in
its division.
1. The basketball player whom I admired most retired last year.
2. The company that I worked for last summer went out of
business.
3. The Battle of Gettysburg, which lasted three days, ended in
victory for the Union soldiers.
4. The chair that we bought at the garage sale looks great in the
living room.
5. The telegraph, which was the forerunner of the telephone,
transmits signals over a wire.
Adverb Clauses
LESSON 27
Adverb Clauses
• An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a
verb, an adjective, or an adverb. It is used to tell when,
where, why, how, to what extent, or under what
conditions. An adverb clause is usually introduced by a
subordinating conjunction.
• I cry whenever I see a sad movie. (The adverb clause
modifies the verb cry. It tells when.)
• An adverb clause that seems to have missing words is
called elliptical. The words that are left our are
understood in the clause.
• Steve runs faster than I [run].
Practice
• Directions: Underline the adverb clause in each
sentence.
• When they arrived at the space camp, the aspiring
astronauts grew nervous.
1. After I finished doing the dishes, I helped my dad mow
the lawn.
2. The little girl was upset because her puppy was lost.
3. That old house looked spookier than any other house
in the neighborhood.
4. Jeremy left for the football game before I could offer
him a ride.
5. Jennifer will go on the retreat unless it rains.
Practice
• Directions: Underline the adverb clause in each
sentence.
• When they arrived at the space camp, the aspiring
astronauts grew nervous.
1. After I finished doing the dishes, I helped my dad mow
the lawn.
2. The little girl was upset because her puppy was lost.
3. That old house looked spookier than any other house
in the neighborhood.
4. Jeremy left for the football game before I could offer
him a ride.
5. Jennifer will go on the retreat unless it rains.
Noun Clauses
LESSON 28
Noun Clauses
• A noun clause is a subordinate clause that is used as a noun.
A noun clause may be sued as a subject, a direct object, an
indirect object, an object of a preposition, an appositive, or a
predicate nominative.
• A noun clause usually begins with one of these words: how,
that what, whatever, when, where, which, whichever, who,
whom, whoever, whose, why.
direct object (what?)
• Cindy did not know where the beakers were kept.
Subject
• What makes them different is their ability to change colors
to blend with their environment.
Practice
• Directions: Underline the noun clause in each sentence.
• I do not care which route we take to the cabin.
1. Sam did not know where the art exhibit was.
2. I do not know why Tonya chose to go with them
instead of us.
3. I dreamed that I was the president of the United
States.
4. What makes them so special is their ability to see
the good in everyone.
5. Whoever was in charge of the experiment made it
easy to understand.
Practice
• Directions: Underline the noun clause in each sentence.
• I do not care which route we take to the cabin.
1. Sam did not know where the art exhibit was. (direct objectwhat?)
2. I do not know why Tonya chose to go with them instead of
us. (direct object- what?)
3. I dreamed that I was the president of the United States.
(direct object- what?)
4. What makes them so special is their ability to see the good
in everyone. (subject)
5. Whoever was in charge of the experiment made it easy to
understand. (subject)
Kinds of Sentences:
Declarative and Imperative
LESSON 29
Declarative and Imperative
• A declarative sentence makes a statement
and usually ends with a period.
• Diet soda is my favorite drink.
• An imperative sentence gives a command
or makes a requests. The subject “you” is
understood.
• (You) Report any safety violations to the
supervisor. - command
Practice
• Directions: label each sentence dec for declarative sentence
or imp for imperative sentence.
• _IMP_ Always wear eye protection in the laboratory.
1. _____ The backyard was flooded after the strong
rains.
2. _____ Come to my house after band practice.
3. _____ Slowly pour the solution into the beaker.
4. _____ The spaghetti was cold by the time we sat
down to eat.
5. _____ My glasses were bent after my little sister sat
on them.
Practice
• Directions: label each sentence dec for declarative sentence
or imp for imperative sentence.
• _IMP_ Always wear eye protection in the laboratory.
1. _DEC_ The backyard was flooded after the strong
rains.
2. _IMP_ Come to my house after band practice.
3. _IMP_ Slowly pour the solution into the beaker.
4. _DEC_ The spaghetti was cold by the time we sat
down to eat.
5. _DEC_ My glasses were bent after my little sister
sat on them.
Kinds of Sentences:
Interrogative and Exclamatory
LESSON 30
Interrogative and Exclamatory
• Interrogative sentences asks a
question and ends with a question
mark.
• Are your allergies bothering you?
• An exclamatory sentence shows
strong or sudden feeling. It ends with
an exclamation point.
• We won the game!
Practice
• Directions: Insert a question mark if the
sentence is interrogative, or an exclamation
point if the sentence is exclamatory.
• Don’t drop that fragile vase?
1. How did you find out about the surprise party
2. Watch out for the falling rocks
3. Is this the place where Lee surrendered
4. Were you frightened by the loud noises
5. When will the train be leaving
Practice
• Directions: Insert a question mark if the sentence
is interrogative, or an exclamation point if the
sentence is exclamatory.
• Don’t drop that fragile vase?
1. How did you find out about the surprise party ?
2. Watch out for the falling rocks!
3. Is this the place where Lee surrendered ?
4. Were you frightened by the loud noises ?
5. When will the train be leaving ?
Sentence Fragments
LESSON 31
Sentence Fragments
• A sentence fragment is an incomplete sentence.
It may lack a subject, a verb, or both.
Alternatively, it may be a subordinate clause that
cannot stand alone. Correct it by adding the
missing phrase or words.
• Although he bought the tie for his brother
(fragment).
• Although he bought the tie for his brother, he
kept it for himself. (complete sentence)
Practice
• Directions: Write frag next to each sentence fragment.
Write s next to each complete sentence.
• _FRAG_ In the event of a disaster.
1. _____ Georgia O’Keeffe became one of the best-loved
American artists.
2. _____ Because she had an innovative style.
3. _____ Works from charcoals and watercolors to
pastels.
4. _____ O’Keeffe, feeling that her creations were
personal, kept to herself.
5. _____ By distancing herself from historians,
biographers, and critics.
Practice
• Directions: Write frag next to each sentence fragment.
Write s next to each complete sentence.
• _FRAG_ In the event of a disaster.
1. __S__ Georgia O’Keeffe became one of the best-loved
American artists.
2. _FRAG_ Because she had an innovative style.
3. _FRAG_ Works from charcoals and watercolors to
pastels.
4. __S__ O’Keeffe, feeling that her creations were
personal, kept to herself.
5. _FRAG_ By distancing herself from historians,
biographers, and critics.
Run-On Sentences
LESSON 32
Run-On Sentences
• A run-on sentence contains two or more complete sentences
written as one.
• Comma Splice- two main clauses separated by a comma
• Incorrect: There was a mistake on our bill, the server took
care of it.
• Correct: There was a mistake on our bill. the server took
care of it.
• Fused Sentence- two main clauses with no punctuation
between them.
• Incorrect: I ran into Margaret she is leaving for Florida
tomorrow.
• Correct: I ran into Margaret; she is leaving for Florida
tomorrow.
Run-On Sentences
• Incorrect: Pulitzer left money to Columbia University the awards
were established in 1917.
• 4 Ways to correct a run-on
• Add a period
• Correct: Pulitzer left money to Columbia University. The awards were
established in 1917.
• Add a semi-colon (only if the two complete sentences relate)
• Correct: Pulitzer left money to Columbia University; the awards were
established in 1917.
• Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction
• Correct: Pulitzer left money to Columbia University, and the awards were
established in 1917.
• Add a subordinating conjunction
• Correct: Because Pulitzer left money to Columbia University, the awards
were established in 1917.
Practice
• Directions: write run-on next to each run-on sentence.
• _Run-On_ Prizes encouraged excellence one particular
prize is the Pulitzer Prize.
1. _____The Pulitzer Prize is awarded each year, it awards
excellence in journalism, letters, and music.
2. _____ The awards were established by the powerful
publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
3. _____ Pulitzer owned the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he
purchased the New York World in 1883.
4. _____ Pulitzer helped to shape the modern newspaper.
5. _____ He added many features to his newspapers,
including sports, comics, fashions, and illustrations.
Practice
• Directions: write run-on next to each run-on sentence.
• _Run-On_ Prizes encouraged excellence one particular
prize is the Pulitzer Prize.
1. _Run-On_ The Pulitzer Prize is awarded each year, it
awards excellence in journalism, letters, and music.
2. _____ The awards were established by the powerful
publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
3. _Run-On_ Pulitzer owned the St. Louis Post-Dispatch he
purchased the New York World in 1883.
4. _____ Pulitzer helped to shape the modern newspaper.
5. _____ He added many features to his newspapers,
including sports, comics, fashions, and illustrations.