Sentences and Clauses

Sentences, Clauses, Subordination, Coordination and Apposition

Types of Sentences

​Simple - one main clause
Compound - two or more main clauses, no subordinate clauses
Complex - one main clause plus one subordinate clause
Compound-Complex - two or more main clauses plus one or more subordinate clauses

Open Ended

What determines the type of sentence?

Clauses

​Main (Independent) Clause

• a group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb and that expresses a complete idea

Clauses

​Subordinate (Dependent) Clause

• a group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb but that does not express a complete idea

• begin with subordinators

  • Adverb subordinate clauses usually modify verbs and begin with subordinators that answer when, why, how, to what degree.

  • Adjective subordinate clauses modify nouns or pronouns and begin with that or which.

Multiple Choice

What type of subordinating clause is in the following sentence:

The field that Micah plowed is finally ready for planting.

• Adjective Subordinating Clause

• Adverb Subordinating Clause

Multiple Choice

What type of subordinating clause is in the following sentence:

The snowstorm blew across the state while we hunkered down in our cabin.

• Adjective Subordinating Clause

• Adverb Subordinating Clause

Subordination, Coordination & Apposition

Subordination

​showing that one idea has less value in its placement in a sentence

If two simple sentences are closely related but unequal in importance, combine the sentences and turn the less important idea into a subordinate clause to show its subordinate (or inferior) position.

Example: Many women could not cast a vote in a federal election. The Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920.

• Combined: Many women could not cast a vote in a federal election until the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified in 1920.

  • (The bold/underlined part is an example of subordination.)

Coordination

​placing ideas in a sentence so that they have equal value

Coordination is achieved by connecting equal ideas from separate sentences and joining them with a conjunction.

Example: Kangaroos carry their young in pouches. Koalas carry their young in pouches.

• Combined: Combined: Kangaroos and koalas carry their young in pouches.

  • (The bold/underlined part is an example of coordination.)

Apposition

using appositives and appositive phrases correctly

A noun or pronoun is placed beside another noun or pronoun to identify or describe it.

Example: The cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, was the first person in space.

• Appositive phrase: An appositive and its modifiers.

• Example: Officer Webb, one of the security guards, caught the burglar.

  • (The bold/underlined part is an example of appositive and appositive phrase.)

Open Ended

Write the appositive word or phrase for this sentence.

Monica, the girl with the boots, is my best friend.

Open Ended

What is the subordinate idea in the following sentence?

Rowan read "The Hunger Games," before he fell asleep.

Open Ended

What is the subordinating idea in the following sentence?

Although he was not hungry, Rowan demanded a peanut butter sandwich.

Open Ended

What is the coordinating word in the following sentence?

Una will go to sleep or she will stay awake talking to herself.

Open Ended

Write the appositive word or phrase for this sentence.

Her braces were put on by the orthodontist, Mr. Buchanan.

Open Ended

What is the subordinate idea in the following sentence?

Even though she was really smelly, Mom let Una go to sleep without a bath.