Clauses

A group of words that has a subject and a
predicate (verb). A clause can function as a
sentence by itself or a part of a sentence.
Clause as a sentence: I ran home.
Clause as part of a sentence: When I went
home (not a complete sentence)
Main Clause

Has a subject and a predicate and expresses
a complete thought.
 Can stand alone as a complete sentence.
 Is also known as an independent clause.
EX: The cast bowed, and the audience
applauded.
Simple Sentences

Has one complete subject and one complete
predicate.

A simple sentence contains one main clause
(independent clause) and no subordinate
clauses.

The subject, the predicate, or both may be
compound.
Simple Sentences
EX: Valerie ran her fingers through her
long, straight hair.
EX: That song always melts my heart.
EX: Jan and Steve walked to the grocery
store.
Compound Sentences

Contains two or more simple
sentences.

Contains two or more main clauses
(independent clauses) but no
subordinate clauses.
Compound Sentences Punctuation

Use a comma followed by a
conjunction to combine two main
clauses/two simple sentences.

Conjunctions: and, or, but

EX: I may seem calm to you, but inside
I’m really quite nervous.
Compound Sentences

A semicolon may also be used to join
two main clauses to form a compound
sentence without a conjunction.

EX: Get used to hearing a racket;
Glenna’s moving next door.
Compound Sentences

A semicolon is also used before a
conjunctive adverb, such as:
moreover, however, therefore, etc.

EX: I was nervous about asking Marcia
to dance; therefore, I stumbled on my
way across the room.
Practice: Make a compound sentence out of the
following two independent clauses.

Spring arrived late this year
 Mona’s garden was as beautiful as ever.
EX: Spring arrived late this year, but Mona’s
garden was a beautiful as ever.
 Spring arrived late this year; Mona’s garden
was beautiful as ever.
 Spring arrived late this year; however, Mona’s
garden was as beautiful as ever.

Practice: Write in the blank whether the sentence is
simple or compound.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
________ Dave Matthews sings and
entertains.
________ The entire crowd waited quietly,
and Nicki made the basket.
________ The old car’s engine sputtered
and died.
________ Reading is a great past time;
therefore, students read all of the time.
________ The students were wishing for a
break, but the grammar kept coming.
________ I love writing sentences.
Subordinate Clause
Contains a subject and a predicate but
cannot stand alone.
 It depends on a main clause, so it is
also known as a dependent clause.
 Does not express a complete thought.

EX: When the dog barked…
(needs something more)
Subordinating Conjunctions

Usually, a
subordinating
conjunction
introduces a
subordinate clause,
although it can be a
relative pronoun or
relative adverb.
Subordinate
Conjunction
Subordinate
Conjunction
Relative
Pronoun
Relative
Adverb
After
As if
As though
Who
When
As
As soon as
Because
Whose
Where
Before
Inasmuch as
Whom
Why
Since
So that
Which
Before
Although
Even though
Though
That
Until
If
What
When
Whenever
Than
While
Unless
Where
Wherever
Practice: Underline the main clauses once and the
subordinate clauses twice.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Unless Tony goes with us, we won’t know
how to get there.
The park where we used to play is now the
location of a mall.
My brother bought some stamps yesterday,
and he placed them with his collection.
Ed and I checked and rechecked our
answer.
Kelin cleaned her room before she left for the
party.
Complex Sentences

Contains one main clause
(independent) and at least one
subordinate clause (dependent).
Subordinate Clause

EX: When Beth takes pictures, she
prefers black and white film.
Main Clause
Complex Sentences
EX: Emily breaks out in hives whenever
she eats strawberries.
 EX: While it rains, the twins love to
splash in the puddles.
 EX: We’ll have pizza for supper tonight
if we get home before the store closes.
 EX: Our band, which won the trophy,
will perform after the game is over.

Practice: Identify each sentence as simple, compound, or
complex.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
________ Daises are my favorite flower.
________ Everyone stopped talking as the curtain
rose.
________ When Sammy practices the violin, the
dog howls.
________ Roses bloom in temperate climates, and
they bloom on shrubs.
________ Although she is the shortest person on
the basketball team, Sheila has the highest shooting
percentage.
________ After he stole our cheese, we chased the
mouse.
Compound-Complex Sentences

Contains two or more main clauses
(independent) and at least one
subordinate clause (dependent).

EX: After the game was over, some of
the class went for pizza, but most of us
went home.
Compound-Complex Sentences

EX: Whenever we have an ice storm, the
twins go skating, and I enjoy the peace.

EX: I ran down the path to the spot where it
divides, and then I turned back.

EX: Unless I’ve misunderstood the store clerk,
the package should arrive next Thursday;
however, it may have to be back-ordered.
Practice: Identify each sentence as simple, compound,
complex, or compound-complex.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
________ If it rains, Sue will cover the firewood with
a plastic sheet, and Keith will close the windows.
________ Although he had hired the best
advertising company in the east to promote him, the
candidate still lost the race.
________ When roses do have a scent, it is quite
noticeable, some people even think the rose
fragrance is too heavy.
________ Roses are also eaten in salads and
jellies.
________ I read Frankenstein, which Mary Shelley
wrote, and I reported on it.
________ I love grammar even though it is difficult.