Clauses in English

Clauses in English Developed by Yang Ying & Chan Janet

Outline • What is an English clause? • Six basic clausal patterns • What is an independent clause? • What is a dependent clause? • Identifying common clausal errors

Clauses • A clause contains the basic units of a subject(S) and a main verb (V). e.g. The sunshines. S V Hewrote me a letter. S V

Six common clausal/sentence patterns (1) The cat jumps. S V (2) A dog is chasing a cat. S V Obj (3) The girl isbeautiful. S VSC (4) Wemadehimsuccessful. S V ObjObjC (5) Igavehima Christmas present. S VIObjD Obj (6) Herunsfast. S VAdv

Pause and Review 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?

Two Types of Clauses There are two main types of clause structures: independent clauses and dependent clauses.

Independent 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.

Dependent Clauses 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.

Dependent Clauses 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, If you want to come, Because he was ill, you can read this book. you can come. he couldn’t come to class yesterday.

Practice Read the following passage and identify the clauses in it. Decide whether each one is a dependent clause or an independent clause. • (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.

Reference answer to practice In the past, most of the studies on the impact of chemicals on human reproductionwere focused on women during pregnancy (1 clause). S V Now werealize(1 clause) that these toxic exposures to men S V and womenmay be just as important (1 clause) before they S V S plan to have children (1 clause), because the cellsthatare 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 motherrealizes S V that sheis pregnant, shecan be seriously affected by certain chemicals (3 S V S V clauses).

Common Mistakes in Clausal Structures (1) *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.

Common Mistakes in Clausal Structures (2) • 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

Common Mistakes in Clausal Structures (3) • 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.

Common Mistakes in Clausal Structures (4) • 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.

Identify errors: • 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.

Reference answers: • Thecultural 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.

E-learning Identifying Independent and Dependent Clauses • http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/598/01/ • http://www.learnenglish.de/grammar/clausetext.htm • http://www.waylink-english.co.uk/?page=31020

Grammar on Video • A video on subordinate (dependent) clause http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6UGOynTTq4 • A video explanation to clauses (dependent and independent clauses) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SS0izdn9Ybs&feature=related

Clauses in English