The Clause

The clause
is the basic unit of meaning in English
conveys a message
can provide information about
what is happening (verb group)
who, what is taking part (participant usually a
noun group)
when, where, how, why surrounding the activity
(circumstance)

can be identified by the presence of a

single verb or verb group.

Examples of clauses

Help!

Help me!

The woman was able to help me.

Yesterday the young woman was able to help me.

Yesterday the young woman who was passing was able to help me
at the scene of the accident.

Yesterday the young German woman who was passing was able to
help me immediately at the scene of the accident.

Yesterday, because of her first aid experience, the young German

woman who was passing was able to immediately help me at the
scene of the accident.

Independent and Dependent Clauses

Independent
Can stand on its own and convey a message
Is always finite ie has a Subject (unless in the imperative form)
You must give some money to charity. (Independent)
You must give some money to charity (Independent)
because you are very rich (Dependent)
You must give some money to charity (Independent) and
you should give some to me as well. (Independent)

Independent and Dependent Clauses

Dependent
Cannot stand on its own is bound to an independent clause, eg with a binding
conjunction such as if to make meaning.
Usually provides more circumstantial information eg how, when, where and
why or projects mental or verbal processes
When I get home (Dependent) I am going to bed
He thought that he should go home (Dependent)
Can be moved with the binding conjunction in front of or after the independent
clause and the meaning remains the same.
If I am going to be late (Dependent), I will ring you (Independent).
OR
I will ring you (Independent) if I am going to be late. (Dependent)

Dependent or Independent?
Activity
Identify the dependent and independent clauses
When the tap is turned on, be sure it is not too hot.
After five minutes place the mixture in the oven.
By dialling an emergency number, I quickly got help.
Because I wasnt really sure of myself, I decided not to go.
People are destroying the environment by logging forests.
Do you like opera?
Even though she disagrees with me, she will listen to me
They knew that I would go.
To make a great pizza, you need a good base.
I went to Broome, which is a really interesting place.

Activity Answers
When the tap is turned on, (Dependent) be sure it is not too hot.
After five minutes, place the mixture in the oven (Independent)
By dialling an emergency number (Dependent, non-finite), I quickly got
help.
Because I wasnt really sure of myself, (Dependent) I decided not to go.
People are destroying the environment (Independent) by logging forests
Do you like opera? (Independent)
Even though she disagrees with me, (Dependent) she will listen to me
They knew (Independent) that I would go.
To make a great pizza, (Dependent, non-finite) you need a good base.
I went to Broome, which is a really interesting place.(Dependent)

Classified clause a dependent

Adjective Clause or Relative Clause

An adjective clause is a dependent clause that
modified a noun or a pronoun. It is introduced by
relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that, of
which) or by subordinating conjuctions (where, when,
why).
Example :
The woman who wears red hat is my aunt
The house of which the door is red will be
renovated

Adverb Clause
An adverb clause is a dependent clause that
modified a verb, an adjective or an adverb. It is
introduced by subordinating conjunctions, such as
when, where, before, since, as, so, because,
though, although, unless, etc.
Example :
It was hot when we went out
I cant hear you unless you shout

Noun Clause
A noun clause is a dependent clause that is
used as noun. It is introdused by words, such as
who, which, what, that, where, when, how, and
why.
Example:
What we does is his business.
I know where she lives.
Tell whomever you wish that story.

Embedded Clause
Functions inside another clause , ,usually as a part of the noun group or
as participant.
Use who or that when referring to people
Use which or that when referring to things.
The woman who is over there is my mothers best friend.
Attachment 8 (continued)
The dog that barks all night belongs to the man who lives across the
road.
What I really needed was a long holiday
Note that interrupting and projected clauses are dependent, whereas
embedded clauses are simply seen as part of another clause.

Relative clauses as dependent clauses

Relative clauses are dependent clauses which with
who, which, that. Relative clauses can be used to
form more complex sentences
We travelled to Broome, which is a really interesting
place. (Relative clause added to the main
independent clause)
Broome, which is a really interesting place, is
becoming a popular tourist location. (Interrupting
clause)
Some people felt that it was the only solution.
(Projecting clause)

Activity
With a partner, analyse the shaded sections of the text
in Attachment 11B and then try to find the following
language features:
Note that there may not be examples of all of these
features in the text you choose.
An independent clause and then identify its different parts.
Two independent clauses joined by a linking conjunction eg and, but, and
then

A dependent clause joined to an independent clause

A projected clause
A relative clause added to an independent clause
A relative clause in an embedded clause.

Questions!!!

1. What is Independent and Dependent

Clauses?
2. Mention kinds of a dependent clause!
3. Make a one clause sentences!
4. Change the following clauses into the
embedded clausese!
a) The man who was injured in the game was
taken to the hospital
b) The girl who is sleeping under the tree is
Amirs ex girlfriend