If a clause can stand alone as a sentence, it is an independent clause, as in the following example:
Using Clauses as Nouns, Adjectives, and Adverbs
- the Prime Minister is in Ottawa
- when the Prime Minister is in Ottawa
- The committee will meet tomorrow.
- adverb clause
- The committee will meet when the Prime Minister is in Ottawa.
A noun clause is an entire clause which takes the place of a noun in another clause or phrase. Like a noun, a noun clause acts as thesubject or object of a verb or the object of a preposition, answering the questions "who(m)?" or "what?". Consider the following examples:
- I know Latin.
- noun clause
- I know that Latin is no longer spoken as a native language.
In fact, many noun clauses are indirect questions:
- Their destination is unknown.
- noun clause
- Where they are going is unknown.
Here are some more examples of noun clauses:
- about what you bought at the mall
- Whoever broke the vase will have to pay for it.
- The Toronto fans hope that the Blue Jays will win again.
An adjective clause is a dependent clause which takes the place of an adjective in another clause or phrase. Like an adjective, an adjective clause modifies a noun or pronoun, answering questions like "which?" or "what kind of?" Consider the following examples:
- the red coat
- Adjective clause
- the coat which I bought yesterday
In formal writing, an adjective clause begins with the relative pronouns"who(m)," "that," or "which." In informal writing or speech, you may leave out the relative pronoun when it is not the subject of the adjective clause, but you should usually include the relative pronoun in formal, academic writing:
- The books people read were mainly religious.
- The books that people read were mainly religious.
- Some firefighters never meet the people they save.
- Some firefighters never meet the people whom they save.
- the meat which they ate was tainted
- about the movie which made him cry
- they are searching for the one who borrowed the book
- Did I tell you about the author whom I met?
An adverb clause is a dependent clause which takes the place of an adverb in another clause or phrase. An adverb clause answers questions such as "when?", "where?", "why?", "with what goal/result?", and "under what conditions?".
Note how an adverb clause can replace an adverb in the following example:
- The premier gave a speech here.
- adverb clause
- The premier gave a speech where the workers were striking.
- independent clause
- they left the locker room
- dependent adverb clause
- after they left the locker room
- Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle because the uncle had murdered Hamlet's father.
- Hamlet wanted to kill his uncle so that his father's murder would be avenged.
- After Hamlet's uncle Claudius married Hamlet's mother, Hamlet wanted to kill him.
- Where the whole Danish court was assembled, Hamlet ordered a play in an attempt to prove his uncle's guilt.
- If the British co-operate, the Europeans may achieve monetary union.
Effectively constructing each transition often depends upon your ability to identify words or phrases that will indicate for the reader the kind of logical relationships you want to convey. The table below should make it easier for you to find these words or phrases. Whenever you have trouble finding a word, phrase, or sentence to serve as an effective transition, refer to the information in the table for assistance. Look in the left column of the table for the kind of logical relationship you are trying to express. Then look in the right column of the table for examples of words or phrases that express this logical relationship.
Keep in mind that each of these words or phrases may have a slightly different meaning. Consult a dictionary or writer's handbook if you are unsure of the exact meaning of a word or phrase.
|LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP||TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION|
|Similarity||also, in the same way, just as ... so too, likewise, similarly|
|Exception/Contrast||but, however, in spite of, on the one hand ... on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet|
|Sequence/Order||first, second, third, ... next, then, finally|
|Time||after, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then|
|Example||for example, for instance, namely, specifically, to illustrate|
|Emphasis||even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly|
|Place/Position||above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there|
|Cause and Effect||accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus|
|Additional Support or Evidence||additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then|
|Conclusion/Summary||finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary|