Dr. Joanna Wolfe
University of Louisville
CLAUSES
or, what is a comma splice anyway?
4 types of clauses:
main, subordinate, relative (or modifying), noun
a clause has at least a subject and a verb (or an action and a person or object that does the action)
A main clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence. All other types of clauses (subordinate, relative, noun) are dependent clauses, meaning that they depend on a main clause to anchor them in a sentence.
Main (or Complete) clause
A main clause can stand by itself as a complete sentence.
Every sentence MUST have at least one main clause.
The test was hard.
The computer ate my homework.
When a sentence has two complete, or main, clauses that are joined only by a comma, you have a grammatical error known as a comma splice.
Incorrect: It rained hard, I forgot my coat.
Correct: It rained hard. I forgot my coat. (two sentences)
Also Correct: It rained hard, and I forgot my coat. (combined with "and")
If two main clauses are combined by a conjunction such as and or but, a comma goes before the conjunction.
HOWEVER
The word however, when used in the middle of a sentence is responsible for a high proportion of comma splices. Sometimes "however" in the middle of the sentence acts as an interjection and the sentence would read perfectly fine if it were removed. However, more often the word however actually signals the beginning of a new main clause and thus creates a comma splice.
Incorrect: I went to the store, however I forgot my list.
Correct: I went to the store. However I forgot my list (two sentences)
Also correct: I went to the store; however I forgot my list (two sentences w/ semicolon)
Also correct: I went to the store, but I forgot my list (changed second clause to a subordinate clause)
Subordinate clause
A subordinate clause is one type of dependent clause, meaning it cannot exist without a main clause. It depends on a main clause.
A subordinate clause begins with a subordinate conjunction:
although, though, despite, while, when, whenever, before, as, where, wherever, but, if, unless, because, since, so, in order to, in order that
Although I studied hard
because he broke his leg
If you are nice
but she is forgetful
A subordinate clause MUST be paired with a main clause.
Although I studied hard, I did not do well on the test.
Tom was late for class because he broke his leg
If you are nice, you may have a cookie.
Sally is smart, but she is forgetful.
If someone tells you that you should vary your sentence structure—or that you tend to use simple sentences—you should try including more subordinate or other dependent clauses in your writing.
Relative (or modifying) clause
A relative clause contains a relative pronoun or relative adverb:
who, whom, whoever, which, that, when, whenever, where, wherever
which really bites
who is accident prone
A relative clause MUST be paired with a main clause.
Although I studied hard, I did not do well on the test, which really bites.
Tom, who is accident prone, was late for class because he broke his leg
Noun clause
Any clause that functions as a noun becomes a noun clause. Look at this example:
You really do not want to know the ingredients in Aunt Nancy's stew.
ingredients = noun
You really do not want to know what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew.
what Aunt Nancy adds to her stew = noun clause
MODELING EXERCISE
Instructions: Underline the subordinate conjunction or relative pronoun in the following sentences and then write a sentence using the same structure but on the topic of your movie, book or album review.
1. Before she spoke to reporters, she conferred with her lawyers.
2. Since I had no money, I walked all the way home.
3. Although the mosquitoes were out, we had an enjoyable walk.
4. While Jones never won an election, she participated in many successful campaigns.
5. I worked in a department store for a year so that I could save money.
6. Money cannot make you happy, though it can make you comfortable.
7. In my new car I average thirty-five miles per gallon, whereas my old car only averaged twenty.
8. The accident could have been avoided, which made it harder to bear.
9. Until power was restored, we cooked our meals by the fireplace.
10. Pavarotti was cheered as he finished the beautiful aria in which Rodolfo declares his love for Mimi.