Developed by Yang Ying & Chan Janet
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What is an English clause?
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Six basic clausal patterns
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What is an independent clause?
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What is a dependent clause?
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Identifying common clausal errors
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A clause contains the basic units of a subject
(S) and a main verb (V).
e.g. The sun shines.
S
V
He wrote me a letter.
S
V
(1) The cat jumps.
S
V
(2) A dog is chasing a cat.
S
V
Obj
(3) The girl is beautiful.
S
V
SC
(4) We made him successful.
S
V Obj ObjC
(5) I gave him a Christmas present.
S V IObj
D Obj
(6) He runs fast.
S
V Adv
Q: What is a clause?
What are the six common clausal patterns?
What do these six clausal patterns have in
common?
Are these clauses also sentences?
Q:
Is a clause always a sentence?
There are two main types of clause structures:
independent clauses
and
dependent clauses.
Independent Clause: a clause (containing a
subject and verb) that can stand alone and
express a complete thought. An independent
clause is also a sentence.
e.g. They got married last year.
He is a professor at NUS.
I wrote a letter to him.
When a clause needs to attach itself to an
independent clause (sentence) to complete its
meaning, it is called a dependent clause. A
dependent clause can not stand alone, or it
becomes a sentence fragment.
e.g. When you are free, please come to see me.
If you want to come, you can come.
Because he was ill, he couldn’t come to class
yesterday.
When a clause needs to attach itself to an
independent clause (sentence) to complete its
meaning, it is called a dependent clause. A
dependent clause can not stand alone, or it
becomes a sentence fragment.
e.g. When you are free, you can read this book.
If you want to come, you can come.
Because he was ill, he couldn’t come to class
yesterday.
Read the following passage and identify the clauses in it. Decide whether each
one is a dependent clause or an independent clause.
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(1) In the past, most of the studies on the impact of
chemicals on human reproduction were focused on
women during pregnancy. (2) Now we realize that
these toxic exposures to men and women may be
just as important before they plan to have children,
because the cells that are in their bodies, sperm
forming tissues (men) and eggs (women), can be
affected. (3) Also, during the early weeks of
pregnancy before the mother realizes that she is
pregnant, she can be seriously affected by certain
chemicals.
In the past, most of the studies on the impact of chemicals on human
reproduction were focused on women during pregnancy (1 clause).
S
V
Now we realize (1 clause) that these toxic exposures to men
S
V
and women may be just as important (1 clause) before they
S
V
S
plan to have children (1 clause), because the cells that are in
V
S
S
V
their bodies, sperm forming tissues (men) and eggs (women), can be
affected (2 clauses).
V
Also, during the early weeks of pregnancy before the mother realizes
S
V
that she is pregnant, she can be seriously affected by certain chemicals (3
S V
S
V
clauses).
*Our values today may much different from those in
the past.
Error type
Verb in the clause is missing
Correction
Our values today may be much different from
those in the past.
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The accidents happened recently in Singapore have
confirmed our suspicions.
Error Type:
There are two main verbs in a clause
Correction:
The accidents that happened recently in Singapore
S
have confirmed our suspicions.
V
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There are a few strategies that I have found to be
particularly effective for learning. One of which is
revising your work.
Error type:
 Dependent clause stands alone.
Correction:
There are a few strategies that I have found to be
particularly effective for learning. One of which is
revising your work.
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Information sent by email is safe, it is more likely to be
received intact.
Error Type:
 Two independent clauses separated by a comma.
Correction:
 Information sent by email is safe; it is more likely to be
received intact.
 Information sent by email is safe. It is more likely to be
received intact.
 Information sent by email is safe as it is more likely to be
received intact.
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The cultural differences we experienced in school.
Unlike primary or JC education system, in which the teachers
prepare all the materials and do the tedious work.
The environment in university very much different from that
of the secondary.
We must always ready to learn new things.
If the problem unsolvable, I should consult the lecturer.
An individual might get frustrated , angry and
depressed whenever he/she facing those problems.
9% of people suffered from depression will commit suicide.
There are thousands of students want to study in local
institution.
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The cultural differences we experienced in school help us
gain a better understanding of other people’s beliefs.
Unlike primary or JC education system, in which the teachers
prepare all the materials and do the tedious work, the
university system emphasizes independent work.
The environment in university is very much different from
that of the secondary.
We must always be ready to learn new things.
If the problem is unsolvable, I should consult the lecturer.
An individual might get frustrated , angry and
depressed whenever he/she faces those problems.
9% of people suffering (who suffer) from depression will
commit suicide.
There are thousands of students who want to study in local
institutions. / Thousands of students want to study in local
institutions.
Identifying Independent and Dependent
Clauses
 http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/
598/01/
 http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/clauset
ext.htm
 http://www.waylinkenglish.co.uk/?page=31020
A video on subordinate (dependent) clause
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6UGOynT
Tq4
 A video explanation to clauses (dependent
and independent clauses)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS0izdn9Yb
s&feature=related
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