Other – Part of Speech

Parts of a Sentence: The Clause

writer — Fri, 01 Jul 2016 17:42:43 +0000

In grammar, the sentence is the smallest independent unit which expresses a complete thought. Perhaps, you already know that there are three basic kinds of sentence structures namely:

Simple sentence
Compound Sentence
Complex Sentence

One of the similarities of the three kinds mentioned above is that all of them are made up of at least one clause.

So what is a clause anyway?

In its simplest sense, a clause is the most basic grammatical unit which conveys a complete preposition. Just like a sentence, it is also a group of words composed of a subject and a verb.

Different Types of Clauses

Now that you already have an idea on what a clause is, the different types of clauses will now be discussed.

1. Independent Clause

The independent clause, also called the main clause, is the type which can stand on its own. It expresses a complete thought, and every kind of sentence structure must contain at least one independent clause (or else, the group of words will just be a sentence fragment instead of an actual sentence).

Formula: independent clause= subject + verb

Examples:

The pretty girl stumbled across the stage.

This whole simple sentence is the independent clause. The subject is the “girl,” while the verb is “stumbled.”

Note: All simple sentences are composed of one independent clause.

Because my sister is lactose intolerant, she only drinks goat’s milk.

In this complex sentence, the italicized part is the independent clause. You can notice that it has a subject (she) and a verb (drinks), and it expresses a complete thought even without the first part of the sentence.

I enrolled in the Italian class, and my brother took the French class.

In this compound sentence, there are two independent clauses (italicized parts) joined together by the clause connector “and.” For the first independent clause, the subject is “I,” while the verb is “enrolled.” On the other hand, the second independent clause has “brother” as the subject, and “took” as the verb.

2. Dependent Clause

Unlike the first type, a dependent clause (subordinate clause) cannot stand on its own, even though it has its own subject and verb.

Formula: dependent clause= subordinate conjunction + subject + verb

Examples:

As the days passed by, he began to understand what the old woman said.

In the italicized dependent clause, the subject is “days,” and the verb is “passed.”

Because the weather is too bad, my dad decided to postpone the trip.

In this sample sentence, you can notice that although the italicized part has a subject (weather) and a verb (is), it still needs the latter part of the sentence in order to make complete sense.

3. Relative Clause

Also called an adjectival clause, the relative clause functions as an adjective, and cannot stand on its own.

Formulas: relative clause= relative pronoun (whom, who, which, whose, that) + subject + verb

relative clause= relative adverb (where, why, when) + subject + verb

relative clause= relative pronoun acting as a subject + verb

Example:

To calm her best friend, Monica offered a cookie which Rachel did not accept.

The relative pronoun in this sentence is “which,” the subject is “Rachel,” and the verb is “did accept” (“not” is an adverb).

4. Noun Clauses

As the name suggests, this type refers to any clause that acts as a noun.

Example:

You really do not want to know what the old man does inside that rugged cabin.

(The italicized part is the noun clause.)

Final Thoughts

A strong grasp on the concept of clauses is necessary for you to understand compound sentences and complex sentences. It can also help you in determining the appropriate clause connector to use, when to use commas, and avoid sentence fragments or run-on sentences. Needless to say, a deep understanding of clauses can increase the clarity of your writing, and significantly improve your overall writing style.

Transition Words- an Overview

writer — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:03:25 +0000

In writing a composition, your primary objective should be to communicate your message or information to the readers, in a clear manner. For you to accomplish this, you must make sure that you are creating successful links between the sentences and paragraphs in your write-up.

One of the most effective ways to build these connections is through the use of transition words and phrases. Basically, transition words help you shift smoothly from one sentence to another and avoid sudden gaps between ideas. You can also think of them as road signs that guide your readers throughout the development of your whole composition.

In the next sections of this article, you will learn more about the different kinds of transitions, as well as some examples of transition words that you can use to convey various kinds of relationships.

Kinds of Transitions

Now that you already know the importance of using transition words when writing, let’s discuss the different types. Different types of transition words are used in different parts of your writing. So, these are the different categories, based on where they can be found in a piece of writing.

1.) Within Paragraphs- this kind of transitions is mainly used to move from one idea or sentence to another in a single paragraph. They tend to be short phrases or words located at the beginning of a new sentence, or within the sentences of the paragraph.

2.) Between Paragraphs- the function of this kind of transitions is to organize the paragraphs of a write-up in a logical manner. Transition words, phrases, or sentences located at the end of the paragraph or at the beginning of the new paragraph (sometimes both) can be used, in order to show the relationship of the two.

3.) Between Sections- this type of transitions is common in longer texts. Transition words, phrases, or even paragraphs can be used to introduce the next section by summarizing and showing the relevance of the previous one.

Examples of Common Transition Words

In this section, some examples of transition words that are grouped together based on their functions will be provided.

1. Transition Words Used to Show Similarity

Examples:

just as
likewise
in the same way
similarly
also

2. Transition Words Used to Show Contrast

Examples:

however
despite
and yet
contrary to
on the other hand

3. Transition Words Used to Show Comparison

Examples:

compared to
comparatively
meanwhile
whereas
as compared with

4. Transition Words Used in Adding Information

Examples:

in addition
moreover
in fact
furthermore
and then

5. Transition Words Used to Show Cause and Effect

Examples:

it follows
subsequently
accordingly
thus
hence

6. Transition Words Used to Show Time Order

Examples:

prior to
presently
later on
until now
afterward

7. Transition Words Used in Giving Examples

Examples:

namely
for instance
suppose that
for example
such as

8. Transition Words Used to Show Sequence

Examples:

at first
after that
lastly
secondly
finally

9. Transition Words Used in Emphasizing an Idea

Examples:

above all
indeed
primarily
most of all
especially

10. Transition Words Used to Show Concession (Acceptance of an Idea)

Examples:

naturally
admittedly
certainly
although this may be true
of course

11. Transition Words Used in Indicating an Exception

Examples:

yet
in spite of
nevertheless
though
still

12. Transition Words Used in Summarizing or Concluding

Examples:

as I have said
as a result
to sum up
in short
therefore

The transition words that you use suggest HOW one idea is related to another, which is why it is extremely important for you to know the different functions of each transitional word. Just imagine if you want to convey contrasting ideas and then you made use of the transitional word “similarly,” wouldn’t your reader miss the point?
Final Thoughts
Transition words are essential components of writing. Not only do they make your written piece sound great, but they should be used to help readers make sense of what you’re trying to say or what you’re getting at. These transition words should guide your readers as they follow through your train of thought. The words should help them piece together all the ideas you are offering, into a single logical argument. It doesn’t really matter whether you use transition words or transition phrases, as long as they serve their purpose.

Transition Words List

writer — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:34:02 +0000

Transition words and phrases are used in order to organize the thoughts and ideas in a particular text. When used properly, a transition word can serve as a bridge that takes the readers from one idea to another, and will help improve the overall coherence of the write-up. Just to make sure that everyone’s on the same page, coherence is a very important aspect in writing which adds to how continuous and easy to understand the text is. The list shown below provides a wide variety of transition words and phrases that you can use depending on the kind of relationship that you want to convey.

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used for Adding Information

and
additionally
afterward
equally important
moreover
after
again
also
first
at last
thus
at the same time
besides
embracing
initially
concurrently
as mentioned earlier
furthermore
eventually
at length
extending
further
in addition
and then
in conclusion
too
other
finally
including
another
encompassing
later
likewise
meanwhile
as was previously stated
next
overall
presently
previously
second
consequently
what’s more
since
soon
subsequently
supplementing
then
simultaneously
now
following this
so too
to begin with
while
a further
nor
moreover
last

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used to Show Contrast

but
although
conversely
Though this may be
despite
however
in contrast
inspite of
counter to
instead
otherwise
namely
regardless
but another
a clear difference
nonetheless
a distinct difference
rather
a strong distinction
at the same time
conversely
nevertheless
not withstanding
on the other hand
indeed
still
though
yet
the reverse of
to oppose
to differentiate
even though
on the contrary
for all that
and yet
despite the fact that
contrarily
while
or
although this may be true
even so
by contrast
up against
in opposition to
an opposing view
balanced against
against
alternatively

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used in Giving Examples

for example
in other words
an analogy
to show
for one thing
consider
to bring to light
take the case of
as an example
consider as an illustration
in one example
for instance
in this situation
on this occasion
to illuminate
to illustrate
that is
such as
suppose that
specifically
to be exact
to exemplify
in particular
to demonstrate
as an illustration

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth last”]

Transition Words Used in Summarizing or Concluding

to sum up
therefore
accordingly
to summarize
as has been noted
in short
as I have said
in brief
as I have shown
on the whole
summing up
to conclude
it follows
as a consequence
as a result
consequently
hence
to sum up
in conclusion
therefore
in sum
so
then
thus

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used to Show Concession/ Acceptance of an Idea

although this may be true
although it is true that
admittedly
naturally
granted
of course
certainly
it is true that
true

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used to Indicate Time Order

earlier
formerly
yesterday
recently
previously
of late
not long ago
at present
in the past
preceding
at the same time
immediately
right away
at this moment
until now
simultaneously
currently
by now
concurrently
after a short while
hereafter
thereafter
soon after
in the future
afterward
later on
while
right after

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used to Show Cause and Effect

therefore
thus
in view of
it follows that
so
on subsequently
account of
otherwise
owing to
the end result
the outcome
then
for this purpose
henceforth
due to
by reason of
furthermore
consequently
hence
caused by
because of this
for this reason

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth last”]

Transition Words Used to Emphasize

most important of all
certainly
moreover
decidedly
in fact
definitely
especially
of great concern
furthermore
more emphatically
increasingly
important
indeed
equally important
most of all
of major concern
certainly
above all
after all
decidedly
especially
actually
definitely
as a matter of fact

[/col]

[col type=”one-fourth”]

9.Transition Words Used to Show Sequence

after that
in the second place
following that
second/secondly
immediately
following
on the next occasion
later on
in turn
next
at the beginning
at the onset
commencing with
from this point
in the first place
to begin with
initially
at first
once upon a time
starting with

[/col]
[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used in Comparing

correspondingly
however
in contrast
in like manner
equal
equally important
equivalent
of little difference
in the same way
identical
nevertheless
in a similar
fashion
in comparison
likewise
as well as
balanced against
compared to
correlate
consistent with
along the same lines
correspondingly
comparable

[/col]
[col type=”one-fourth”]

Transition Words Used to Indicate Purpose

so that
to this end
for this purpose
for that reason
because of this

[/col]
[col type=”one-fourth last”]

Transition Words Used to State an Exception

sometimes
in spite of
yet
nevertheless
despite
once in a while
however
still
of course

[/col]

As you can see in this sample list, there are many Transition words and phrases and you can probably come up with more! Just be sure to use them appropriately because they are very important. Transitional words can make your writing shift smoothly from one idea to the next, making it clear and easy to read. But you wouldn’t want to confuse your reader by using them incorrectly!