DGP WEDNESDAY NOTES (Clauses and Sentence Type)
Clauses Sentence TypesSentence Purpose
CLAUSES
Each CLAUSE must have a SUBJECT and VERB!
There are TWO types of CLAUSES…
*Independent
*Dependent
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES (MAIN CLAUSE)
Every sentence must have at least one independent clause.
The INDEPENDENT clause can usually stand alone.
An INDEPENDENT clause does not start with a relative pronoun or subordinating conjunction.
DEPENDENT CLAUSES (SUBORDINATE CLAUSE)
The DEPENDENT clause can NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER stand alone.
A DEPENDENT clause starts with a relative pronoun or a subordinatingconjunction.
3 Types of DEPENDENT CLAUSES…
AdverbAdjectiveNoun
ADVERB DEPENDENT CLAUSES
Usually starts with a subordinating conjunction and acts like a verb.
He literally stitched mail sacksuntil his fingers bled. (The dependent clauseuntil his fingers bledmodifies the verbto stitch. It is an adverbial clause.)
We will eat when the bell rings.(modifies eat)
“We will eat” is independent.
ADJECTIVE DEPENDENT CLAUSES
Usually starts with a relative pronoun and acts like an adjective.
The carwhich your wife sold me last weekhas broken down.(The dependent clausewhich your wife sold me last weekdescribes the car. It is an adjective clause.)
She likes the guy who sits in front of her.(modifies guy)
“She likes the guy” is independent.
NOUN DEPENDENT CLAUSES
Usually starts with a relative pronoun and acts like a noun.
Whoever turned the ovens offis keeping quiet.(The dependent clauseWhoever turned the ovens offis the subject of this sentence. It is a noun clause.)
I hope that you understand the examples.(acts as direct object (DO))
“I hope” is independent.
DGP WEDNESDAY NOTES (Clauses and Sentence Type) continued
SENTENCE TYPES
The independent clause(s) is shaded in the examples below.
Simple sentence = one independent clause.
Curiosity killed the cat.
Compound sentence = two or more independent clauses.
I always wanted to be somebody, butI should have been more specific.
Complex sentence = one independent clause + one or more dependent clauses.
Stay in the bathuntil the phone rings.
The car swerved to miss Mrs Jackson, who had slipped off the pavement.
Compound-complex sentence=two or more independent clauses + one or more dependent clauses
Because my wife didn't set the alarm, I was late for work this morning and I might miss my deadline.
SENTENCE PURPOSE
A declarative sentence makes a statement and ends in a period.
An interrogative sentence asks a question and ends in a question mark(?).
An imperative sentence gives a command and ends in a period.
An exclamatory sentence expresses strong feelings and ends in an exclamation point!