Independent vs. Subordinate Clauses

* & *

What is a clause anyway?

Nope, wrong Claus.

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a

verb.

A clause differs from a phrase because a phrase does NOT contain a subject and a verb.

#Clause#

A clause may act as a noun, an adjective, or as an adverb in a sentence.

Noun = person, place, or thing (i.e., naming words)

Adjective = describing wordsAdverb = added to a verb to modify its meaning;

usually tells when, where, how, in what manner, or to what extent and action is performed.

#Noun Clause#

The ninja could not remember what he said last night.(what I said last night = noun)

The ninja could not remember his speech.(speech = noun)

#Adjective ClausE#

The ninja, who usually refuses to go near the water, dived in the ocean to chase a pirate.(who usually refuses to go near the water = adj)

The water-shy ninja dived in the ocean to chase a pirate.(water-shy = adjective)

#Adverbial Clause#

He lost his double chin after he gave up saki.(after he gave up beer = adverb)

He lost his double chin recently.(recently = adverb)

What is an Independent Clause?

An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone in a sentence (i.e., it expresses a complete thought).

An independent clause, like all clauses, has a subject and verb.

Examples of an Independent Clause

As the sun set, the ninja with the rainbow hachimaki flew across the star.

The ninja riding his ninja unicorn, letting his red hair fly in the wind, slashed his katana at the three-headed dragon.

Ninjas have no need of money, unless they have to buy something.

What is a subordinate clause?

Also known as a dependent clause, a subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought.

Still contains both subject and verb

Examples of Subordinate Clauses

Although they are mysterious and quiet, ninjas are amazing at Parkour.

Ninja Nova attended a mysterious meeting at the Great Wall of China that meeting was the last time anyone saw her.

As the sun set, the ninja with the rainbow hachimaki flew across the star.

#Simple Sentence#

When there are no subordinate clauses in the same sentence as an independent clause, the independent clause is a simple sentence.

Ninjas like coconut macaroons.(both an independent clause and a simple sentence)

#Complex Sentence#

Ninjas like coconut macaroons even though they dislike coconut.(Independent clause & Subordinate clause = complex sentence)