Page 19 - DENG201_ENGLISH_II

Unit 1: Functional English Grammar—Types of Sentences, Sentence Structure

When a complex sentence begins with a subordinator such as sentences A and D, a comma is required Notes
at the end of the dependent clause. When the independent clause begins the sentence with
subordinators in the middle as in sentences B, C, and E, no comma is required. If a comma is placed
before the subordinators in sentences B, C, and E, it wrong.
Note that sentences D and E are the same except sentence D begins with the dependent clause which
is followed by a comma, and sentence E begins with the independent clause which contains no comma.
The comma after the dependent clause in sentence D is required, and experienced listeners of English
will often hear a slight pause there. In sentence E, however, there will be no pause when the
independent clause begins the sentence.
Dependent Clauses
Adverb Clauses
A dependent adverb clause begins with an adverbial subordinator such as when, while, because, although,
if, so that, etc.
1. Although women in the United States could own property, they could not vote until 1920.
2. In the United States, women could not vote until 1920 although they could own property.
Notice that there are two possible positions for an adverb clause: before or after the independent
clause. If it comes before the independent clause, it is followed by a comma (sentence 1). If it comes
after the independent clause, no comma is used (sentence 2).
Adjective Clauses
A dependent adjective (relative) clause begins with a relative pronoun such as who, whom, which,
whose, or that, or with a relative adverb such as where or when. An adjective clause functions as an
adjective; that is, it modifies a noun or pronoun. The position and punctuation of dependent adjective
clauses is discussed in Chapter 13.
3. Men who are not married are called bachelors.
4. Last year we vacationed on the Red Sea, which features excellent scuba diving.
Noun Clauses
A dependent noun clause functions as a noun and begins with a wh-question word, that, whether, or
sometimes if A dependent noun clause can be either a subject (sentence 5) or an object (sentence 6).
No commas are necessary.
5. That there is a hole in the ozone layer of the earth’s atmosphere is well known.
6. Scientists believe that excess chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere are responsible for
creating it.
Self-Assessment
9. A. STEP 1 Underline the independent clause of each sentence with a solid line.
STEP 2 Underline the dependent clause with a broken line.
STEP 3 Write SUB above the subordinator. Refer to the chart on page 154 for a list of
subordinators.
Example
Because the cost of education is rising, many students must work part-time.
1. When students from other countries come to the United States, they often suffer from
culture shock.
2. Because the cost of education has risen, many students are having financial problems.
3. Please tell me where the student union is.
4. Engineers, who have an aptitude for drafting and mechanics, must also be artistic and
imaginative.

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