S-V + Adv. Clauses
S-V-DO + Adv. Clauses
S-V-SC + Adv. Clauses
Another way to expand a sentence base is by adding a clause.
DEFINITION
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
A dependent (or subordinate) clause cannot stand, or make sense, by itself. It needs to "lean on" a dependent clause.
An independent clause can stand, or make sense, by itself.
A clause is a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.
A dependent (or subordinate) clause cannot stand, or make sense, by itself. It needs to "lean on" a dependent clause.
An independent clause can stand, or make sense, by itself.
We could add a dependent (or subordinate) adverb clause to the sentence base:
"When the sun is starting to rise above the hills, Julia writes intelligently." "When the sun is starting to rise above the hills" is an adverb clause because it contains a subject and verb and it modifies, enhances, or changes, the verb. It answers the question, "When does Julia write?"
In the above sentence, "when" is called a subordinating conjunction.
DEFINITION
A subordinating conjunction both connects and shows the relationship between two clauses that are not equally important. A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause in order to complete the meaning of the dependent clause. (The dependent clause is subordinate to -- LESS IMPORTANT THAN -- the independent, or main, clause.)
Note: Adding a dependent clause turns a "simple sentence" into a "complex sentence" -- a sentence with one or more DEPENDENT clauses. A sentence with one or more INDEPENDENT clauses is called a "compound sentence".A subordinating conjunction both connects and shows the relationship between two clauses that are not equally important. A subordinating conjunction connects a dependent clause to an independent clause in order to complete the meaning of the dependent clause. (The dependent clause is subordinate to -- LESS IMPORTANT THAN -- the independent, or main, clause.)
Here are the most common subordinating conjunctions. These will have to be memorized for the exam in June.
after
although
as
as if
as long as
as though
because
before
if
in order that
provided that
since
so that
though
till
unless
until
when
whereas
while
Examples:
1. Although he never liked adverbs, Joseph started using them all the time in 9th grade.
2. Madeline decided to buy a Mercedes because excellent students should drive excellent cars.
3. Until the sun turns into blue cheese, Morgan will be a kind and brilliant person.
4. Asia tried to get to know her classmates better so that her 9th grade year would be the best one yet.
Notice that the subordinate clauses ARE LESS IMPORTANT THAN THE MAIN CLAUSES. Also, notice that the subordinate clauses have a subject and verb (which makes them clauses), and they answer the questions how, where, or when, which makes them ADVERB clauses. (See p. 19.)
