In some cases a clause can be added to a sentence and used as a modifier. A clause may serve several different purposes. An adjective clause supplies additional information about a person, place, or thing in the sentence to which it is added. Depending on the subordinate clause that is used, an adverb clause may show one of the following relationships: time, cause, condition, place, result, or purpose.
Combining with Who, That, and Which
When you add a group of words to provide information about a person, place, or thing, you begin the clause with who or that.
Who takes the place of he. The clause who spread Greek ideas throughout the world is then added to the first sentence to modify the word general. In the following example, that is used to create the adjective clause.
In the two examples above, the added groups of words are necessary to the meaning of the sentences. In the first example, the clause shows which general; in the second example, the clause shows which plans. Because both of these clauses are essential, they are not set off with commas.
In some sentences, however, the added group of words is not absolutely necessary to the meaning. When the clause merely provides additional information, combine it with who or which and set it off with commas.
- Alexander the Great was a general. He spread Greek ideas throughout the world.
- Alexander the Great was a general who spread Greek ideas throughout the world..
Who takes the place of he. The clause who spread Greek ideas throughout the world is then added to the first sentence to modify the word general. In the following example, that is used to create the adjective clause.
- The plans reveal every detail of my invention. Professor Masuri took them from my office.
- The plans that Professor Masuri took from my office reveal every detail of my invention.
In the two examples above, the added groups of words are necessary to the meaning of the sentences. In the first example, the clause shows which general; in the second example, the clause shows which plans. Because both of these clauses are essential, they are not set off with commas.
In some sentences, however, the added group of words is not absolutely necessary to the meaning. When the clause merely provides additional information, combine it with who or which and set it off with commas.
- In the United States alfalfa is grown for livestock feed. It is a member of the pea family.
- In the United States alfalfa, which is a member of the pea family, is grown for livestock feed.
Combining with Adjective Clauses | |
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Combining to Show Relationship
You can use an adverb clause beginning with a subordinating conjunction and combine sentences in order to clarify the relationship between ideas such as these: time, cause-effect, condition, place, and purpose.
Events usually occur in a sequence. Combining sentences can help you clarity when and in what order events occur.
To add a group of words that shows a relationship in time, begin the group with the subordinating conjunctions as, after, before, since, until, whenever, or while.
To add a group of words that shows the place where something occurs, begin the adverb clause with the subordinating conjunction where or wherever.
To add a group of words that clarifies a cause-effect relationship, begin with adverb clause with the subordinating conjunction because or since.
To add a group of words that expresses a condition, begin the added clause with the subordinating conjunctions if, although, though, or unless.
To add a group of words that explain a purpose, begin the added clause with so that or in order that..
Punctuation Note: When you start a sentence with an adverb clause, place a comma at the end of that clause.
Events usually occur in a sequence. Combining sentences can help you clarity when and in what order events occur.
To add a group of words that shows a relationship in time, begin the group with the subordinating conjunctions as, after, before, since, until, whenever, or while.
- The railroads crossed the Mississippi. The population of the western United States grew rapidly.
- After the railroads crossed the Mississippi, the population of the western United States grew rapidly.
To add a group of words that shows the place where something occurs, begin the adverb clause with the subordinating conjunction where or wherever.
- The early settlers of Paducah built their city. The Ohio and Tennessee Rivers join at that place.
- The early settlers of Paducah bulit their city where the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers join.
To add a group of words that clarifies a cause-effect relationship, begin with adverb clause with the subordinating conjunction because or since.
- Napoleon left Russia with his army. The winter defeated him.
- Napoleon left Russia with his army because the winter defeated him.
To add a group of words that expresses a condition, begin the added clause with the subordinating conjunctions if, although, though, or unless.
- Peter the Great made Russia a great world power. He brutally beat down all opposition.
- Although Peter the Great made Russia a great world power, he brutally beat down all opposition.
To add a group of words that explain a purpose, begin the added clause with so that or in order that..
- NASA developed the battery-powered jet pack. Astronauts can leave their vehicle and move about in space.
- NASA developed the battery-powered jet pack so that astronaut can leave their vehicle and move about.
Punctuation Note: When you start a sentence with an adverb clause, place a comma at the end of that clause.
Combining with Adverb Clauses | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | doc |