LESSON 5

5.0 5.1 5.2

THE SENTENCE: CO ORDINATE CLAUSES

OBJECTIVES INTRODUCTION SENTENCE, CLAUSES AND PHRASES

5.2.1 Main Clause 5.2.2 Subordinate Clause 5.5.3 Phrase

5.3

CO-ORDINATION AND SUBORDINATION: MAKING THE MAIN IDEA

PROMINENT

5.3.1 Co-ordinate Clause

5.4 5.5

SUMMING UP ANSWERS TO SELF-CHECK QUESTIONS

LESSON 5

THE SENTENCE: CO ORDINATE CLAUSES

5.0 Objectives
At the end of this lesson you will be able to: Know the meaning and types of phrases and clauses. Understand the difference between phrases and clauses and how to use them correctly. Know the four types of coordinate clauses and coordinating conjunctions. Improve sentence construction.

5.1 Introduction
People belonging to all vocations need to speak and write English effectively. The success which they get depends largely upon their ability to express their thoughts in correct and forceful English. Skill in using English can be acquired only when one can construct simple and correct sentences. For this, knowledge of the parts of a sentence, i.e., phrases and clauses and their use is essential.

5.2 Sentence, Clauses and Phrases

A sentence is a group of words which express a single, complete thought. The larger units not single words which make up a sentence are Main (or Coordinate) Clauses, Subordinate Clauses, and Phrases. 5.2.1 Main Clause A Main Clause, as the name implies, is the clause which makes the main statement in a sentence. Example: He will come when the work is finished. In the simplest form of a sentence, the main clause is the complete sentence.

Example: His father is a lawyer. Two or more main clauses in the same sentence are called Co-ordinate Clauses: that is, clauses of equal rank. Example: The lightning flashed and the thunder roared. 5.2.2 Subordinate Clause A Subordinate Clause is a group of words which has a subject and a verb, but which is dependent upon a main clause; that is, it cannot stand by itself and make sense. Examples: If you will go with me. That the plan was successful. Which shaded the house.

To make a complete statement, a subordinate clause must be combined with a main clause. Examples: If you will go with me, we will drive to town. We thought that the plan was successful. The tree, which shaded the house, was blown down.

5.2.3 Phrase A Phrase is a group of words which does not have a subject and a verb, and which, like a subordinate clause, is dependent on a main clause. Examples: After the game. Seeing the danger. To find a substitute.

To make a complete statement, a phrase must be combined with a main clause. Examples: After the game, our team disbanded. Seeing the danger, the driver stopped. He was trying to find a substitute.

Self-Check Questions
Point out the main clauses in the following sentences. 1. This is a vital question which concerns every American citizen. 2. The town was crowded with refugees who wanted to get passage on the first steamer to America. 3. The gray lines of cadets marched up the street, keeping perfect time to the music. 4. The windows were broken, and the door was hanging by one hinge. 5. For two hours we listened to the lecture and took copious notes. 6. The building, when it is completed, will cover a solid block. 7. It was still raining, but the clouds were breaking in the west. 8. If the rain continues much longer, the fields will be flooded. 9. Wherever we went, we found crowds of people, but they seemed sullen and depressed. 10. We thought that they would go to Florida before the beginning of winter.

5.3 Co-ordination and Subordination: Making the main idea prominent

We have seen that a sentence should express a complete thought and contain only a single thought. A third requirement is that this thought shall stand out in the proper perspective with the most important idea featured most prominently and the less important details placed in the background. This result is secured primarily by the correct co-ordination and subordination of the different elements. The elements with which we are chiefly concerned in the present discussion are main or co-ordinate clauses, subordinate clauses, and phrases. 5.3.1 Co-ordinate Clauses In coordinate clauses the second clause may exist in some relation to the first one. The chief kinds of relation existing between co-ordinate clauses maybe of four types: I. Harmony a continuation of the same line of thought. Examples: The work was interesting, and the results should be valuable for future reference. Everyone must be at his desk by 8.44 a.m.; moreover, he must be ready to start work promptly at nine oclock. He is not only a good worker but also honest.

The principal connectives for this group are and, likewise, moreover, furthermore, besides, not only.but also etc. The connective is sometimes omitted. Specific examples and explanations: The harmony group includes a subclass consisting of sentences in which a general statement is followed by a specific example or a specific explanation. Examples: The employees are well paid: for example, an unskilled laborer received four dollars a day. This is a rare phenomenon: only few other instances of a similar occurrence are on record. Sometimes the clauses are connected by for example, for instance, thus, or similar expressions. In other cases, a connective is not used and the punctuation is a semi-colon. Example: To err is human; to forgive divine. II. Contrast- a change in the line of thought. Examples: The summers are pleasant, but the winters are bleak. He promised to be here at four oclock; however, it was midnight when he arrived. John likes to study; Harry hates books. The principal conjunctions are but, nevertheless, however, yet, on the contrary, on the other hand, etc. The conjunction is sometimes omitted and a semi-colon is used. III. Alternation or choice: a choice between two ideas. Examples: The entire amount must be paid by Saturday, or the payments previously made will be forfeited. Either the money was misplaced, or it has been stolen. The principal connectives are or, nor (negative), either.or, neither. nor, otherwise.

IV. Consequence or inference: one clause tells the result or inference emerging from the other. Examples: The sun has been shining all day; consequently the streets are dry. Our neighbors have not been at home for a week, therefore they are probably out of town. It has not rained for weeks, therefore the rivers are dry.

The principal connectives are therefore, consequently, hence, so, accordingly, thus, as a result, and for this reason.

Self-Check Questions
Complete the following parts of sentences by adding co-ordinate clauses which show the type of relation indicated in the previous section: 11. The wind was blowing a gale. (consequence) 12. The house was burned to the ground.. (contrast) 13. Our football team must improve in tacking and tackling.. (alternation) 14. He had not prepared for the examination.... (consequence) 15. A few of the houses are in the middle price range . (i. specific example) . (ii. contrast) . (iii. harmony)

5.4 Summing Up
A main clausesometimes called an independent clausemust contain a subject and a verb as well as express a complete thought. You must have at least one main clause in every sentence. A main clause is the essential component. Without a main clause, a group of words is a fragment, a major error in writing. A sentence can contain any number of other grammatical units, such as participle phrases, prepositional phrases, subordinate clauses, appositives, etc. It must, however, contain at least one main clause. Example:

While dissecting a rabbit heart in her anatomy class, Leela realized that a cheeseburger, her favorite lunch, was no longer appetizing. While dissecting a rabbit heart = participle phrase. In her anatomy class = prepositional phrase. Leela realized = the essential main clause. That a cheeseburger was no longer appetizing = subordinate clause. Her favorite lunch = appositive.

5.5 Answers to Self-Check Questions

1. This is a vital question which concerns every American citizen. 2. The town was crowded with refugees who wanted to get passage on the first steamer to America. 3. The gray lines of cadets marched up the street, keeping perfect time to the music. 4. The windows were broken, and the door was hanging by one hinge. 5. For two hours we listened to the lecture and took copious notes. 6. The building, when it is completed, will cover a solid block. 7. It was still raining, but the clouds were breaking in the west. 8. If the rain continues much longer, the fields will be flooded. 9. Wherever we went, we found crowds of people, but they seemed sullen and depressed. 10. We thought that they would go to Florida before the beginning of winter. 11. The wind was blowing a gale, so the streets were deserted. (consequence) 12. The house was burned to the ground, but the people were safe. (contrast). 13. Our football team must improve in tacking and tackling, or they will lose the match. (alternation) 14. He had not prepared for the examination, therefore he could not pass. (consequence) 15. A few of the houses are in the middle price range, i. ii. iii. for example a three bedroom house would be in the 1 lac range. (specific example) but the others are very expensive. (contrast) and also have a very good location. (harmony)