The (Cute) Clauses Page: Where we talk about sentences and the like.
When you look at the word, "clause," notice how it sort of resembles "close" (as in close the door).
That's because "close" is where "clause" comes from. And can you see the word "sense" in the word "sentence?"
Excellent!
We are talking about closing an idea.
This is a very loose interpretation, but it does hit at the heart of the meaning of "clause."
To be complete, to be in a position to close, a clause needs to have something to talk about, and to then talk about it: subject and predicate.
There are two basic types of "clause."
When the subject and predicate together make a complete thought, are able to present an idea that can stand up for itself, we call it an "independent clause."
(Another, more commonly used term for "Independent Clause", is the word "sentence.")
A "sentence" is a clause that makes sense all by itself.
Please notice the three other sentences in this paragraph. Each is an independent clause, unless I screwed up.
Let me know. I'm sure you will.
Dependent is the opposite of Independent.
A "dependent clause" still needs to be a closed thought, still needs both a subject and a predicate.
However, they are designed to work with other parts of the sentence.
They are dependent upon other parts of the sentence.
When Sally first met Harry. . .
After he had completed the test. . .
. . .that he should never do naughty things again.
. . .which was a really tough assignment.
Notice the urge you have to add to each of the examples of dependent clauses above.
You have the urge because the clause is incomplete.
Go ahead and complete them in your head.
When you do, you have an independent clause.
Before you get too judgmental about dependent clauses being weaker, being less complete, being wimpy, frightened, insecure little punky imitations of the INDEPENDENT Clause, please note that dependent clauses do us a lot of good.
Without them our sentences would be always short, choppy and dull.
In fact, one way to make your writing better is to combine some of your shorter independent clauses by making one or more of them dependent.
Ralph and Martha went home. They made breakfast.
could become
After Ralph and Martha went home, they made breakfast.
Dick left New York. Dick went home. Dick's home is in Bermuda.
Too many Dicks!
How about,
After he left New York, Dick went to his home in Bermuda.
Take a minute to look over something you've written.
Can you see the way you have used clauses?
Are there any that would be improved by combining them?
Do it!
For improving writing, sentence combining is such an important/useful process, I put in a whole section: Sentence Variety.
There are three jobs Dependent Clauses do: noun jobs, adverb jobs, and adjective jobs.
Nouns can be the subject of a sentence, direct or indirect objects, predicate nouns, objects of prepositions, and so can dependent clauses.
Adverbs can describe verbs, adjectives and other adverbs, and so can dependent clauses.
Adjectives can describe nouns, and so can dependent clauses.
Busy little buggers, aren't they!
One of the main reasons you care about clauses is to avoid the dreaded "Sentence Fragment" condemnation on turned in papers, as well as its companion, "Run On Sentences."
You care enough, and your English teacher cares enough, that there's a whole section about [Sentence Fragments And Run On Sentences] Go there and be enlightened.
To return to Step Two, please click : Step Two
