Subordinate Word Groups

1. Subordinate Word Groups Bedford Ch. 64b Clauses

2. Clauses • A clause is a group of words containing a subject and predicate and used as part of a sentence. • Independent clauses can stand alone and make complete sense. An independent clause written with a capital letter at the beginning and a period at the end is a simple sentence. • Subordinate clauses cannot stand alone. They are used as single parts of speech (nouns or modifiers) within the sentence.

3. Clauses • There are three types of subordinate clauses: • adjective clauses • subordinate clause modifies a noun or pronoun • adverb clauses • subordinate clause modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb • noun clauses • subordinate clause functions as subject, object, predicate nominative, etc.

4. Clauses • An adjective clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a noun or pronoun. • The house where he was born has been made a national shrine. (adj. clause modifies house) • She is one who earned her honors. (adj. clause modifies one) • The paper, which I wrote last year, received a grade of C. (adj. clause modifies paper)

5. Clauses • A relative pronoun is a pronoun that begins a subordinate adjective clause. It is related to a noun or pronoun already mentioned. A relative pronoun does three things: • It refers to a preceding noun or pronoun. • It connects its clause with the rest of the sentence. • It performs a function within its own clause by serving as the subject, object, etc. of its clause.

6. Clauses • A noun clause is a subordinate clause used as a noun. • Whoever wins the election will have many problems. (noun clause as subject) • This is what she does. (noun clause as P.N.) • Do you know what the score is?(noun clause as D.O.) • Here is a copy of what I said. (noun clause as object of preposition)

7. Clauses • A nounclause may begin with an indefinite relative pronoun: that, what, whatever, who, which, whoever, whichever. • A noun clause may begin with an indefinite relative adjective: whose, which, whichever. • A noun clause may begin with an indefinite relative adverb: where, when, how, etc.

8. Clauses • Adjective and nounclauses are sometimes used without an introductory word. • James Earl Jones is an actor I admire. (Adj. clause I admire modifies actor.) • She says I.M. Pei designed the building. (Noun clause I.M. Pei. . .building used as object of verb.)

9. Clauses • An adverb clause is a subordinate clause that modifies a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. • She plays golf as though she were in a hurry. [how] • She plays golf whenever she can.[when] • She plays golf wherever she travels.[where] • She plays golf because she enjoys it.[why] • She plays golf if the weather permits.[under what conditions]

10. Clauses • Adverb clauses may also modify adjectives and other adverbs: • She is confident that she will win.[modifies adjective confident] • He played better than I did. [modifies adverb better]

11. Clauses • A conjunction that begins an adverb clause is called a subordinating conjunction. It joins the clause to the rest of the sentence and establishes the relationship between the clause and the main sentence. • Common subordinating conjunctions include after, although, because, before, if, since, than, though, unless, until, when, where, whether, while, etc.