21.5 Identifying Clauses

Instructors note 1: From here, you may need to reference sections Comma After Introductory Material, Comma Around Words that Interrupt the Flow of Thought, and Comma Between Complete Thoughts in Chapter 36 if you need additional explanation.)

Instructors note 2: Remember that unlike phrases which are missing a subject or a verb, or both, clauses always have both a subject and a verb. A main clause (a.k.a. independent clause) expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. While a subordinate clause (a.k.a. dependent clause) contains a subject and a verb, it is not a complete thought and thus cannot stand alone as a sentence. To be part of a complete sentence, a subordinate clause must be attached to at least one main clause. Section 21.5 focuses on the three types of subordinate clauses: noun clause, adjective clause, and adverb clause. The type of subordinate clause is determined by how it functions within the sentence. Now complete the following activity.

Directions: Write the type of clause over each bolded clause--noun clause, adjective clause, or adverb clause. As you analyze each sentence, look at the cue words (that, who, which, because, what, etc.) that begin the clauses, and think about how the clauses function. Do they work as nouns, as adjectives, or as adverbs? To help tell the difference between adjective and noun clauses, try substituting it for the noun clause.

1. What the commencement speaker said put everyone in the audience to sleep.

2. When the lead guitarist shows up, the band will go on.

3. What to do with nuclear waste remains a major problem in the movement to build more nuclear power plants.

4. Try raising a chicken if you want a truly messy pet.

5. The police officer who pulled Professor Allen over for speeding was one of his former students.

6. Paul Simon, who began performing in high school, has had a successful musical career for over 40 years.

7. Marla thinks that John Travolta is a fine actor.

8. The elm tree that is leaning over my house concerns me.

9. The Milky Way galaxy, which contains our solar system, looks like a sprinkling of glowing dust in the night sky.

10. After we raced to get to the doctors office on time, we sat and waited for 45 minutes.