Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
very often when writing a paper or an essay, we have to use complex or compound
sentences, i.e. we need to combine two or more simple sentences using coordination or
subordination
COORDINATION
A complex sentence has an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses
(independent clauses are in italics):
o Since we got to the concert late, we had to make our way to our seats in the
dark.
o We left class early so that we could attend a special lecture.
Lucy sang beautifully(main clauses), even though she was tired(subordinate clause).
subordinating conjunction - because, since, after, although, when or a relative
pronoun such as that, who, or which.
o When he handed in his homework, he forgot to give the teacher the last page.
o B. The teacher returned the homework after she noticed the error.
R Conjuctions example
e
l
a
ti
o
n
s
h
i
p
Ti when, while, Whenever the afternoon bell rings, a teeming horde of
me whenever children rush eagerly out of the school building.
I never knew what love meant until I met you.
after, once, still,
My uncle always calls after he watches the news.
until, before, as soon
as
Pl Where, I know a place where blackberries grow wild all along the
ace wherever roadside.
Wherever you can find an empty spot, just drop your
luggage there.
C as, in order Since you have to leave early, why don't you arrive a few
ause/ that , because , days earlier too?
e since, so that The cat took off in a panic because the dog started barking
ffect and growling.
C if, provided that, If my ticket doesn't arrive today, I won't be able to fly out
ondition unless tomorrow.
if only, in case He won't listen to you unless you make him turn off the radio
and look at you.
C although, Although I have called repeatedly, the credit card company
ontrast though has not corrected my account.
even though, He still brings her roses even though he knows she is allergic
to them.
while, wheras,
Punctuation patterns
RELATIVE CLAUSES
A relative clause is a dependent, subordinate clause that begins with a question word
(e.g. who, which, where) or the word that. You can use it to modify a noun or
pronoun (i.e. to identify or give more information about it).
DEFINING RELATIVE CLAUSES
o these clauses give essential information to define or identify the person or thing we
are talking about. Obviously, this is only necessary if there is more than one person
or thing involved.
Elephants who like mice are very unusual.
o In this sentence we understand that there are many elephants, but it is clear that we
are only talking about the ones who like mice.
o Punctuation: Commas are not used in defining relative clauses.
o You use a non-defining relative clause to supply additional information about the
noun, whose identity or reference is already established. You can also use it to
comment on the whole situation described in a main clause.
Albert Einstein, who put forward the theory of relativity, is considered by many
as the most intelligent person in human history.
o You should not use the relative pronoun that in non-defining relative clauses.
o Non-defining relative clause is always separated by commas from the rest of the
sentence
Relative pronouns
Person Thing Place Time Reason
Subject who/that which/that
Object who/whom/ that/ which/ where when why
Possessive whose whose
- In defining relative clauses who, that or which can sometimes be omitted. This
depends on whether the relative clause is the subject or the object of a sentence.
- When the relative clause is the subject of the sentence it cannot be omitted.
o The woman who lives next door works as a nurse.
o We cannot say The woman lives next door works as a nurse, as the woman is
the subject of the sentence.
- When the relative clause is the object of the sentence it can be omitted.
o The chair that I am sitting on belonged to my grandmother. =
o The chair I am sitting on belonged to my grandmother.
- A trick that may help decide if the relative clause is the subject or object is to look at
the word followed by the relative pronoun
o ... who showed me the pictures... --> the pronoun is followed by a verb so you
cannot omit it
o ... which I showed him ... --> the pronoun is NOT followed by a verb so you can
omit it
- But this explanation only applies for "who", "which", and "that".
- In addition to this, when a defining relative clause takes a continuous or ing form who,
that or which can be omitted.
1. The dog that is lying on the grass is very vicious. The dog lying on the grass is
very vicious.
2. The children who are doing the test are very intelligent. The children doing the
test are very intelligent.
In extra information clauses nothing can be omitted from the sentence. Instead, it
should be remembered that commas are always placed around the extra information
clause.