�Clauses and Conjunctions
Clauses
Clauses are groups of words with an active verb and a subject; they make sense.
The subject is ‘the doer’ of the verb; it can be a noun or pronoun.
Harry looked around in amazement.
The sun shone brightly on a stack of cauldrons.
They stepped through the archway.
A cobbled street twisted out of sight.
Harry looked around in amazement
they stepped through the archway
A main clause
A new clause
When?
Conjunctions are joining words
They help add more detail by joining new clauses…
explaining when, why or where something happened.
When?
before
after
when
while
as
until
We can join a new clause, to add this detail, using a conjunction.
when
The choice of conjunction will change the meaning.
before
until
Different conjunctions help us add different types of information
When?
before
after
when
while
as
until
Why?
because
as
so
Where?
where
wherever
I am worn…
I am worn until I declare which house a student should join.
I am worn because I can sense where you belong.
I am worn where students are judged.
Add more detail by adding an extra clause
Conjunctions can join the clauses.
Hermione found a new spell book
she was in the library
Ron dropped his wand
he was surprised by a house elf
Harry hung on to the broomstick
he caught the snitch
Professor McGonagall appeared
a cat had been sitting moments before
when
because
until
where
Which of these clauses could add extra information to them?
These main clauses make sense but don’t tell us much.
Can you match up the clauses?
Which conjunction will you use?
Some other combinations will also work.
Some combinations will not make sense.
Does it matter which conjunction you choose?
Malfoy grinned
Gryffindor won the cup
before
Malfoy grinned
Gryffindor won the cup
until
Malfoy grinned
Gryffindor won the cup
after
Do these all have the same meaning?
Harry looked around in amazement
Main clause
Subordinate clause
Order of Clauses
When we add an extra clause,
it adds information to the main clause.
Has this changed the impact of the sentence? How?
they stepped through the archway
when
The main clause can go at the beginning of the sentence…
or go at the end of it.
Main clause
Subordinate clause
Order of Clauses – When to use a Comma
If you add a clause after a main clause, you don’t usually need a comma.
If the added clause (subordinate) is first, separate it with a comma.
The comma tells your reader or listener that the main bit is coming.
Harry’s broomstick snapped.
Harry’s broomstick snapped as he crashed into the tree.
As he crashed into the tree, Harry’s broomstick snapped.
The comma tells you to say the first clause differently. Try it.
Order of Clauses – When to use a Comma
Read these sentences. Which clauses need a comma?
Harry’s broomstick snapped where it struck the branch.
The class cheered when they heard the lesson was cancelled.
Because he was nervous Ron’s hands trembled.
Before she sneaked out of the dormitory Hermione listened carefully.
Where it struck the branch Harry’s broomstick snapped.
When they heard the lesson was cancelled the class cheered.
Ron’s hands trembled because he was nervous.
Hermione listened carefully before she sneaked out of the dormitory.
Answers
Order of Clauses – When to use a Comma
Read these sentences. Which clauses need a comma?
Harry’s broomstick snapped where it struck the branch.
The class cheered when they heard the lesson was cancelled.
Because he was nervous, Ron’s hands trembled.
Before she sneaked out of the dormitory, Hermione listened carefully.
Where it struck the branch, Harry’s broomstick snapped.
When they heard the lesson was cancelled, the class cheered.
Ron’s hands trembled because he was nervous.
Hermione listened carefully before she sneaked out of the dormitory.
Answers