Clauses are the building blocks of sentences.

A clause is a group of words that contains

(at least) a subject and a verb.

These are clauses: These are not clauses:

 Ecology is a science to protect the environment
 Because pollution causes cancer after working all day
Independent An independent clause contains a
clauses subject and a verb and expresses a
complete thought. It can stand alone
as a sentence by itself. An
independent clause is formed with

Subject + verb (+complement)

Students normally spend four years in college.

I will declare my major now, but I may change it later.

Many international students experience culture shock when

they come to the United States.
 Dependent A dependent clause begins with a
clauses subordinator such as when, while, if, that, or
who.
A dependent clause does not express a
complete thought and cannot stand alone as a
sentence by itself. A dependent clause is formed
with

Subordinator + subject + verb (+complement)

…although students normally spend four years in college…
…if I declare my major now…
…when they come to the United States…
…who was accepted at Harvard University…
…that the experiment was a success…
Clause Three groups of words are used to connect
Connectors clauses in order to form different kinds of
sentences. They are subordinators
(subordinating conjunctions), coordinators
(coordinating conjunctions), and conjunctive
adverbs.
 SUBORDINATORS (SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS)

afterbefore that when which

although even though though whenever while
as now unless where who
as if if until wherever whom
as soon as since what whether whose
because so that

COORDINATORS (COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS)

You can remember the seven coordinators by the phrases FAN BOYS:

for and nor but or yet so

CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS

Accordingly furthermore in contrast meanwhile on the other hand

besides hence indeed moreover otherwise
consequently however instead nevertheless therefore
for example in addition like wise nonetheless thus
EXERCISE 1
Independent and Dependent Clauses
Write INDEP next to the independent clauses and put a period (.) after them. Write DEP next to the
dependent clauses.
______ 1. Jet lag affects most long distance travellers
______ 2. Which is simply the urge to sleep at inappropriate times
______ 3. During long journeys through several time zones, the body’s inner clock is
disrupted
______ 4. Also; changes in work schedules can cause jet lag.
______ 5. When hospital nurses change from a day shift to a night shift, for example
______ 6. Although there is no sure way to prevent jet lag
______ 7. There are some ways to minimize it
______ 8. Because jet lag is caused at least partially by loss of sleep, not just a change in the time of
sleep
______ 9. A traveller should plan to arrive at his or her destination as late as possible
______10. Upon arriving, he or she should immediately go to bed
______11. Then the traveller should start to live in the new time frame immediately
 Kinds of Sentences

Simple Sentences/Parts of a Sentence

A sentence is a group of words that contains at least one subject and one
verb. A sentence expresses a complete thought.
There are four kinds of sentences in English: simple sentences, compound
sentences, complex sentences, and compound-complex sentences. First, we will
learn about simple sentences.

A simple sentence has one subject and one verb. The subject
tells who or what did something. The verb tells the action (or
condition).
These are simple sentences:
Subject Verb
I study
I study and work
My head hurts
My head and neckhurt
It is raining
The studentsare reading
(Notice that the subject in a simple sentence may be compound: My head and neck hurt. Also,
the verb in a simple sentence may be compound: I study and work.)
Note: “Save your money” is also a complete sentence. The subject “you” is understood and
not included.
A sentence may also have a complement (but it does not have to have one). The complement
completes the meaning of the verb or adds more information to the sentence. There are many
types of complements. A complement in a simple sentence may be a noun, pronoun, adjective,
or adverb.
Subject Verb Complement
I study English (noun)
I don’t understand you (pronoun)
His girlfriend is smart (adjective)
It isn’t raining now (adverb)
A complement may also be a noun phrase, a verb phrase, or a prepositional phrase.
My father owns his own business (noun phrase)
My girlfriend wants to get married (verb phrase)
The students are reading in the library (proportional phrase)
A complement may also be a combination
I study English at Greenhills College (noun + prepositional phrase)
She wants to get married soon (verb phrase + adverb)
Subject-Verb Agreement
You already know that subjects and verbs must agree in number.

My sister is married (singular)

My sisters are married (plural)
My brother and my sister are single (plural)

Sometimes students make mistakes in subject that begins with a

preposition and ends with a pronoun, noun, or noun phrase.
EXERCISE 2
Identifying Subjects, Verbs and Complements
Underline the subjects, verbs, and complements in the following sentences and
write S, V, or C above them. Also put parentheses
() around prepositional phrases.

1. My name is Roberto Sanchez

2. I was born (on September 21, 1978) (in the city) (of San Juan, Puerto Rico)
3. I am a student at Greenhills College in Boston, Massachusetts
4. Some of my classes are difficult
5. Some of the homework is boring
6. None of my classmates speak Spanish
7. A lot of my classes are in Dante Hall
1. A lot of my time is spent in the student lounge
2. My father works in an office
3. None of us are married
4. My youngest brother and sister are still in high
school
5. My father understands English but doesn’t speak it
6. In my country most of the people are Catholic
7. Neither of my parents has been to the United
States.
Exercise: Subject-Verb Agreement

Complete the essay with the correct verb forms. Put parentheses () around prepositional phrases.
A Courageous Man
Christopher Reeve _______is_______a famous Hollywood actor. He played the role
1. be
of Superman in several movies. Some of his other movies ____________ Deathtrap, The
2. include
Bostonians, and The Remains of the Day.

Reeve was also an experienced horseback rider. However, on May 27, 1995, while he was
performing in a riding competition, his horse stopped suddenly. He was thrown off and hit his head
on the ground. Tragically, he suffered serious injuries and
____________ now paralysed¹ Reeve _______________ unable to use his arms and
3. be 4. be
legs. He ___________ around in a motorized wheelchair. He cannot breathe without the
5. get
aid of a respirator.² He also ________________ a neck support. At first, he could not
6. wear
eat solid food, but now he can.
Reeve ______________ a strong support system. His loving family
7. have
and friends _______________ there for him. During his hospital stay,
8. be
his wife, Dana, visited him and often brought along their young son,
Will. One of his Hollywood friends ______________ comedian 9. be
Robin Williams. Williams’ funny jokes _____________ him ________
10. Make 11. laugh
And ____________ his spirits. A lot of Americans and people around
12. lift
the words have sent him cards, letters, and telegrams of
encouragement and best wishes.
Reeve ___________ truly grateful to everyone. He __________
13. be 14. be
thankful for the excellent medical care he received from
the medical staff at the hospital. His doctor ________________
him a courageous man and a wonderful 15. call
patient. He was released from the hospital in December 1995.
Then on March 25, 1996, Reeve made a surprise appearance
at the Academy Award ceremonies in Hollywood and made
a speech.
Reeve ________________ a strong will to live as
16. have
normal a life as possible. Pictures of his smiling,
handsome face ___________________ his positive
17. show
Attitude. All of Reeve’s friends and supporters
________________ and ________________
18. hope 19. pray.
for his recovery.
EXERCISE 4.
Simple Sentences

• Write two simple sentences with one subject and one verb.
• Write two simple sentences with one subject and two verbs
• Write two simple sentences with two subjects and two verbs.
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is two or more independent clauses joined together.
There are three ways to join the clauses:

1. With a coordinator: I enjoy tennis, but I hate golf.

2. With a conjunctive adverb: I enjoy tennis; however, I hate golf
3. With a semicolon: I enjoy tennis; I hate golf.

Let’s study each type of compound sentence in more detail.

1. Compound Sentences with Coordinators
A compound sentence can be formed as follows:

Independent clause, + coordinator + independent clause

Notice that there is a comma after the first independent clause. The following
sentences illustrate the meanings of the seven “FAN BOYS” coordinators.

B. For each pair of sentences below, choose a coordinator that best fits the
meaning, and join the two independent clauses to form a compound sentence.
Use each FAN BOYS coordinator once. Write your new sentences on a separate
sheet of paper, and punctuate them correctly.
Example
Nuclear accidents can happen. Nuclear power plants must have strict safety controls.
Nuclear accidents can happen, so nuclear power plants must have strict safety
controls
Nuclear accidents can happen; nuclear power plants must have strict safety controls

Exercises
1. The accident at the nuclear power plant at Three Mile Island in the United States
created fears about the safety of this energy source. The disaster at Chernobyl in
the former Soviet Union confirmed them.
2. Solar heating systems are economical to operate. The cost of installation is very
high.
3. Energy needs are not going to decrease. Energy sources are not going to increase.
(Use nor and question word order in the second clause, deleting the word not.)
4. Burning fossil fuels causes serious damage to our planet. We need to develop
other sources of energy.
1. Ecologists know that burning fossil fuels causes holes in the
ozone layer. People continue to do it.
2. Poorer nations especially will continue this harmful practice.
They don’t have the money to develop “clean” energy sources.
3. All nations of the world must take action. Our children and
grandchildren will suffer the consequences.

On a separate sheet of paper, write seven compound sentences of

your own, using each coordinator once.
 2. Compound Sentences with Conjunctive Adverbs

A compound sentences can also be formed as follows:

Independent clause; + conjunctive adverb, + independent clause

Notice the punctuation: a semicolon follows the first independent clause, and a
comma follows the conjunctive adverb. Also, just like the FAN BOYS coordinators,
conjunctive adverbs express relationships between the clauses. The following
chart shows the coordinators and conjunctive adverbs that express similar
meanings.
 Coordinator Conjunctive SENTENCE
Adverbs

And Besides Community colleges offer preparation for

Furthermore many occupations; moreover, they prepare
Moreover students to transfer to a four year college or
Also university.

But However Many community colleges do not have

Yet Nevertheless dormitories; however, they provide housing
Nonetheless several services.

Or Otherwise Student must take final exams; otherwise,

they will receive a grade of Incomplete.

So Accordingly Native and non native English speakers have

Consequently different needs; therefore, most schools
Hence provide separate English classes for each
Therefore group.
Thus
EXERCISE 5
Compound Sentences with Conjunction Adverb
•Add another independent clause to each independent clause that follows to form
compound sentences. Be sure to add a complete clause containing a subject and a verb.
Circle the conjunctive adverb and add punctuation.
Example
The college campus is located in the center of the city; therefore, it is very easy to do my
shopping.

1. Student can attend day classes

__________________________________________________________________________
2. Student can live in dormitories otherwise
__________________________________________________________________________
3. I have finished my math homework however
__________________________________________________________________________
4. I have studied English for six years nevertheless
__________________________________________________________________________
5. The instructor gave us eight weeks to write our term papers
nonetheless______________________________________________________________
6. My roommate scored very high on the English placement test consequently
___________________________________________________________
A simple sentences has one English grammar is easy.
Independent clause

A compound sentences has two Grammar is easy, so I learned it quickly.

independent clauses joined by Grammar is easy; therefore, I learned it quikly.
• a coordinator Grammar is easy; I learned it quickly.
• a conjunctive adverb
• a semicolon

A complex sentences has one With an adverb clause:

Because grammar is easy, I learned it quickly.
Independent and one (or more) I learned grammar quickly because it is easy.
dependent clauses.
With an adjective clause:
The punctuation depends on the kind of One of my favourite film is like Water for Chocolate,
dependent clause(s). which is in Spanish.
With a noun clause:
She doesn’t agree that grammar is easy.

A compound-complex sentence Because grammar is easy, I learned it quickly, but it

has two independent clauses and one (or more) took me several years to master writing
dependent clauses.
1.Clauses :
- The main building blocks of sentences.
- Two kinds of clauses: Independent and dependent.

An independent clause
• expresses a complete thought. English grammar is easy
• can be a sentence by itself.

A dependent clause
• begins with a subordinator. Adverb: … because grammar is easy …
• cannot be a sentence by itself. Adjective: … which is in Spanish …
• is one of three types: adverb, Noun: …that grammar is easy …
adjective, or noun.

2. There are four kinds of sentences in English: simple, compound,

complex, and compound-complex. Each kind is punctuated differently.
3. Although good writers use all four kinds of sentences, the use of
subordination (complex and compound-complex sentences) is considered a
more mature, interesting, and effective writing style.
COMPLEX SENTENCES:
DEPENDENT CLAUSE

ADVERB CLAUSES

A dependent adverb clause begins with an adverbial subordinator such as when,

while, because, although, if, so that, etc.

•Although women in the United States could own property, they could not
vote until 1920.

•In the United States women could not vote until 1920 although they could
own property.

Two possible positions for an adverb clause: before or after the independent clause.
If it comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma (sentence 1). If it
comes after the independent clause, no comma is used (sentence 2).
 ADJECTIVE CLAUSES

A dependent adjective (relative) clause begins with a relative pronoun such as who,
whom, which, whose, or that, or with a relative adverb such as where or when. An
adjective clause function as an adjective; that is, it modifies a noun or pronoun. The
position and punctuation of dependent adjective clause is discussed in Chapter 13.
3. Men who are not married are called bachelors.
4. Last year we vacationed on the Red Sea, which features excellent scuba
diving.

NOUN CLAUSES

A dependent noun clause functions as a noun and begins with a wh-question word, that,
whether, or sometime if. A dependent noun clause can be either a subject (sentence 5)
or an (sentence 6). No commas are necessary.
5. That there is a hole in the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere is well
known.
6. Scientists believe that excess chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere are
responsible for creating it.
EXERCISE 5
Compound Sentences with Conjunction Adverb
Add another independent clause to each independent clause that follows to form compound
sentences. Be sure to add a complete clause
containing a subject and a verb. Circle the conjunctive adverb and add punctuation.

Example
The college campus is located in the center of the city; therefore, it is very easy to do my
shopping.

1.Student can attend day classes

______________________________________________________________________
2.Student can live in dormitories otherwise
______________________________________________________________________
3.I have finished my math homework however
_____________________________________________________________________
4.I have studied English for six years nevertheless
______________________________________________________________________
5.The instructor gave us eight weeks to write our term papers
nonetheless_________________________________________________________
6.My roommate scored very high on the English placement test consequently
______________________________________________________
B. On a separate sheet of paper, combine the pairs of sentences
Example
Nuclear accident can happen. Nuclear power plants should have strict safety controls.
Nuclear accidents can happen; therefore, nuclear power plants should have strict safety
controls.
C. On a separate sheet of paper, write four compound sentences, using each of these
conjunctive adverbs once: furthermore, however, there fore, and otherwise.
3. Compound Sentences with semicolons
A compound sentence can also be formed with a semicolon alone:
This kind of compound sentence is possible only when the two independent
clauses are closely related in meaning. If they aren’t closely related, they
should be written as two simple sentences, each ending with a period.

Independent clause; independent clause

My older brother studies law; my younger brother studies medicine.

Poland was the first Eastern European country to turn away from communism; others soon followed.
Exercise 6:

Compound Sentences with Semicolons

Place a semicolon between the two independent clauses in the following

compound sentences.

1. The American way of life apparently does not foster marital happiness half of
all American marriages end in divorce.

2. Motherhood causes some women to quit their jobs others continue working
despite having young children to care for.

3. Three hundred guests attended his wedding two attended his funeral.

B. Write three compound sentences of your own, using a semicolon to join the
independent clauses.
EXERCISE 7
Combining Simple Sentences

Use what you have learned about forming compound sentences to improve the following
mini-essay, which contains many short, simple sentences. Combine sentences wherever
possible. Try to use each of the three methods at least once. There is not just one correct
way to combine the sentences; there are many possible ways.
Robots
1A robot is a mechanical device that can perform boring, dangerous, and difficult tasks.
2First of all, robots can perform repetitive tasks without becoming tired or bored. 3They are

used in automobile factories to weld and paint. 4Robots can also function in hostile
environments. 5They are useful for exploring the ocean bottom as well as deep outer space.
6Finally, robots can perform tasks requiring pinpoint accuracy. 7In the operating room,

robotic equipment can assist the surgeon. 8For instance, a robot can kill a brain tumor. 9It
can operate on a fetus with great precision. 10The field of artificial intelligence is giving
robots a limited ability to think and to make decisions. 11However, robots cannot think
conceptually. 12Robots cannot function independently. 13Humans have to program them.
14They are useless. (Use otherwise to combine sentences 13 and 14.) 15Therefore, humans

should not worry that robots will take over the world at least not yet.
EXERCISE 8 Complex Sentences
• STEP 1 Underline the independent clause of each
sentence with a solid line.
STEP 2 Underline the dependent clause with a broken line.
STEP 3 Write SUB above the subordinator.
Example
SUB
Because the cost of education is rising, many students
must work part-time.
1. When students from other countries come to the United
States, they often suffer from culture shock.
2. Because the cost of education has risen, many students
are having financial problem.
• Engineers, who have an aptitude for drafting and
mechanics, must also be artistic and imaginative.
4. While the contractor follows the blueprint, the engineer
checks the construction in progress.
5. Since the blueprint presents the details of the engineer’s
plans, it must be interpreted accurately by the
contractor.
6. Students should declare a major by their junior year
unless they have not made up their minds.
7. Even though students declare a major now, they can
change it later.
8. Last year, the government reported that drug use is
increasing.
9. Doctors are concerned about drug use by young people,
who think that smoking marijuana is risk-free.