Sentece Structures (Clauses)

Sentence structures is one of the most important element in grammar. Beside phrases that we already discuss in the previous post, clause is also one of the main element in sentence structure.

What is clause??

A clause is a group of related words containing a subject and verb or a subject and predicate.

• the most basic kind of sentence consist of a single clause
• more complicated sentences may contain multiple clauses
• traditionally a clause was said to have both finite verb and its subject.

Clauses are divided into two types of clauses.

1. Independent clause

A group of words made up of a subject and a predicate. An independent clause (unlike a dependent clause) can stand alone as a sentence.

By itself, an independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a simple sentence.

Examples and Observations:

·        A clause is a group of words that [contains] a subject and a verb. There are two major types: independent clauses and dependent clauses. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, beginning with a capital letter and ending with terminal punctuation such as a period. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a sentence; instead it must be attached to an independent clause."
(G. Lutz and D. Stevenson, The Writer's Digest Grammar Desk Reference, 2005)

·        "When liberty is taken away by force, it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default, it can never be recovered."

·        "The average man does not want to be free. He simply wants to be safe.

·        "When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.

2. Dependent clause

A group of words that has both a subject and a verb but (unlike an independent clause) cannot stand alone as a sentence. Also known as a subordinate clause.

Dependent clauses include adverb clauses, adjective clauses, and noun clauses.

Examples and Observations:

·          "A dependent clause (also called a subordinate clause) is a clause that cannot stand alone, because something about it implies that there is more to come. On its own, a dependent clause is left hanging, its meaning incomplete. It must be combined with an independent clause in order to form a complete sentence.

"One type of dependent clause is essentially an independent clause with a subordinating word tacked on. Specifically, it opens with a conjunction that indicates a dependent relationship with information elsewhere in the sentence."

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