Sentence Structure Questions Long
There are three main types of clauses: independent clauses, dependent clauses, and relative clauses. Each type of clause contributes to the overall structure of a sentence in different ways.
1. Independent clauses: An independent clause is a complete sentence that can stand alone and express a complete thought. It contains a subject and a predicate and does not rely on any other clause to make sense. Independent clauses contribute to sentence structure by functioning as the main building blocks of a sentence. They can be used on their own as simple sentences or combined with other clauses to form complex or compound sentences.
Example: "She went to the store."
2. Dependent clauses: A dependent clause, also known as a subordinate clause, cannot stand alone as a complete sentence because it does not express a complete thought. It relies on an independent clause to make sense. Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions such as "because," "although," "when," or "if." They contribute to sentence structure by adding additional information or providing context to the main clause.
Example: "Although she was tired, she went to the store."
3. Relative clauses: A relative clause is a type of dependent clause that functions as an adjective to modify a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It begins with a relative pronoun such as "who," "whom," "whose," "which," or "that." Relative clauses contribute to sentence structure by providing additional details or descriptions about the noun or pronoun they modify.
Example: "The book that she bought was very interesting."
In summary, the different types of clauses contribute to sentence structure by either serving as complete sentences (independent clauses), adding additional information or context (dependent clauses), or providing descriptive details (relative clauses). By combining these clauses in various ways, writers can create sentences with different levels of complexity and convey more nuanced meanings.