Clause: subject + verb

Main clause

Subordinate clause

As sentence starts with capital letter and ends to full stop.

Types of sentences:

Simple: 1 main

Compound: main + main

Complex: main + subordinate

Compound-complex: main + main + subordinate

Compound sentences need connectors. There are three types of connectors:

Compound: main + connector + main

1. FANBOYS → for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

I am very happy, but my friend is sad.

I am very happy, yet my friend is sad.

She was very tired, so she went to bed early.

2. Semicolon

I went to the park; the weather was nice.

3. Conjunctive adverbs

I am very happy; however, my friend is sad.

I am very happy. However, my friend is sad.

I am very happy; my friend, however, is sad.

She was very tired; therefore, she went to bed early.

She was very tired. Therefore, she went to bed early.

She was very tired; she, therefore, went to bed early.

Contrast: however, nevertheless, conversely, in contrast, on the other hand, …

C & E: therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, hence, …

Addition: moreover, in addition, furthermore, addedly, also, …

For example, for instance

Similarly, likewise
Complex: main + subordinate

Subordinate can play three roles: adjective, adverb, noun

Adverb clause of time:

I will finish the report before the boss arrives.

She was eating dinner when we arrived.

Before the boss arrives, I will finish the report.

I will call you as soon as my plane lands.

As soon as my plane lands, I will call you.

Adverb of place:

I will stop the car wherever I find a good restaurant.

Wherever I find a good restaurant, I will stop the car.

Adverb of reason:

I ate a sandwich because I was hungry.

I ate a sandwich as I was hungry.

I ate a sandwich since I was hungry.

Adverb of condition:

You will pass the test if you study hard.

If you study hard, you will pass the test.

Adverb of concession [contrast] Always has comma

I went to work, although I was very sick.

Although I was very sick, I went to work.

I helped him, even though I didn’t like him.

She came home late, while her parents had told her not to do so.

I went to work, whereas I was very sick.

Adverb clause of purpose:

I wear glasses so that I can see better.

People immigrate to Canada so that they can have a better future.

Adverb clause of result

I was so cold that we had to stay in our room.

So + adj/adv + that

It was so beautiful that …

He was driving so carelessly that …

Such+ noun + that

It was such snow that we couldn’t go out.

It was such heavy snow that we couldn’t go out.

Pay attention to the punctuation of adverb clauses:

Main clause + subordinate clause

Subordinate clause + comma + main clause

Adjective clause

adjective clauses are sometimes called Relative clauses

Mr Brown is the man who is standing near the window.

The boy who is running in the yard is my nephew.

The man whom we saw in the park was very happy.

The house which has large windows belongs to Mike.

The car which she bought was very expensive.

That = who, whom, which

The man who his hair is black is my uncle. Incorrect

The man whose hair is black is my uncle. correct

The woman whose dress is long lives here.

This is the city where we spent our childhood. Where is not the subject here.

Spring is the time when flowers appear. When is not the subject here.

This is the city which has many old buildings. Which is the subject here.

Spring is the time which brings happiness. Which is the subject here.

The man who is sitting over there is a thief. Defining adjective clause does not need comma

My mother, who is sitting over there, loves cats. Non-defining adjective clause needs comma

The boy who he is running in the yard is my nephew. He is extra subject.

The man whom we saw him in the park was very happy. Him is extra object.

The house which it has large windows belongs to Mike. It is extra subject.

The car which she bought it was very expensive. It is extra object.

Preposition:

The man whom I was talking to was the bank manager.

The man to whom I was talking was the bank manager.

The picture which I am looking at is painted by Picasso.

The picture at which I am looking is painted by Picasso.

This is the tool which I fixed the device by.

This is the tool by which I fixed the device.

Internet is an invention without which we can’t live.

Noun clause:

1. Answers the question WHAT?

2. Noun clause is the subject or object of main clause

3. Wh-words / that / if (whether)

I like what my mother cooks.

He told me that he would not come to the party.

Can you tell me if you are ready or not?

What he said was not funny.

That he is unemployed makes me very sad.

Whether we can go on a picnic depends on the weather.

The police are trying to find the man who committed the crime. Adjective clause

The police do not know who committed the crime. Noun clause

I will finish the report when the boss arrives. Adverb clause

The secretary didn’t tell me when the boss arrives. Noun clause

When the boss arrives, I will talk to him. Adverb clause

When the boss arrives is unknown to all of us. Noun clause

Scientists are trying to find a planet that has life sustaining conditions. Adjective clause

Scientists believe that Mars has life sustaining conditions. Noun clause