Clauses

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Clauses
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A Main Clause

• This is the main part of the sentence. Without
  this part, the sentence does not make sense. It
  normally has a noun and a verb but it may have
  other parts of speech.
• Examples
• Jimmy ate the ice cream
• I eat my tea at 5 o clock
• Julie hates Maths

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A Subordinate Clause

• A subordinate clause is the minor clause of a
  sentence. Not also sentences have a subordinate
  clause. They normally give more information. A
  subordinate clause does not make sense on its
  own!
• Examples
• On Tuesday
• which she really enjoyed
• , called Brian,

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Breaking Up Main Clauses and Subordinate Clauses

• You can see that if you take out the subordinate
  clause, the main clause still makes sense.
  However, if you take out the main clause, the
  subordinate clause cant stand on its own.
• Main and subordinate clauses are usually broken
  up by a comma. Examples
• Every Monday, Ellen and Frank get a takeaway.
• I went to Drayton Manor over the holidays, which
  I really enjoyed.
• Emma, Sharons sister, is 5 years old.
• Well done, Dave!

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What Do You Do If You Have Two Main Clauses?

• A full stop usually breaks up two main clauses,
  but if you want to link the two main clauses, you
  can split them up using a semi-colon!
• Examples
• I like cheese I often eat it with biscuits and
  grapes on a Sunday evening.
• There was a man by the railway station I didnt
  like the look of him at all!
• Every Tuesday I go to Tai Chi however, this week
  I couldnt because I had too much to do.

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A Semi-Colon Story

• Mr. Full Stop and Miss Comma wanted to have a
  child. Mr. Full Stop was a very forceful and he
  was sure that his child would be the same. Miss
  Comma, however, was quite weak, and she was sure
  her child would be similar.
• The child that they had they called Master
  Semi-colon. It happened that both of his parents
  were correct he was not as strong or forceful as
  his father because he couldnt break up
  sentences however, he was stronger than his
  mother because he could link two main clauses.
• Next lesson Mr. Full Stop and Miss Comma have
  another child! What will they call this one, and
  who will it take after the most?!

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A Colon Story

• Mr. Full Stop and Miss Comma have another child
  called Mademoiselle Colon. She was quite unlike
  her mother, Miss Comma however, she was quite
  like her father and her brother.
• Mademoiselle Colon had a very special quality in
  the sense that she was very good at introducing
  things she was a great public speaker and was
  invaluable at parties for introducing friends to
  other friends.

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Colons

• Colons also link two main clauses, but in a
  different way.
• You use a colon normally for three different
  reasons
• To introduce direct speech
• To introduce a description
• To introduce something that proves what youve
  just said

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Colons Introduce Direct Speech

• Examples
• Helen said what are you doing here?
• I couldnt believe it when Natasha shouted Oi!
  Kenney! over the grass.
• When I called Frank a monster, he replied Dont
  you dare call me that again!

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Colons Introduce Description

• Examples
• Gemma got lots of gorgeous things for Christmas
  a pony, a new teddy and a book about trees.
• Gareth had never seen anyone so beautiful before
  she was tall, slim and had black, shining hair.
• Marys lamb really didnt look very well its
  fleece was certainly not as white as snow this
  morning!

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Colons Introduce Something to Prove the Truth of
What Youve Just Said

• Examples
• I am a good swimmer I can swim 1000 metres in
  under 30 minutes.
• Georgina is well-liked at school in Maths,
  everyone wants to sit by her.
• Nikki is a mean girl last week she took my
  pencil case and she wouldnt give it back until I
  told me form tutor.