CLAUSES

WHAT ARE CLAUSES ?

A clause is a group of words that can act as a sentence, but is not necessarily a complete sentence on its own. All clauses contain both a subject and a predicate, which always contains a verb. A predicate tells something about what the subject is doing. Some clauses can stand alone as a complete sentence; others cannot.

Independent Clause is a group of words that can stand on its own as a sentence: it has a subject, a verb, and is a complete thought. 

example      :

a)   He ran fast.

b)  I was late to work.

c)   The paper does not specify which type of format it must be in.

A dependent clause is a group of words that also contains a subject and a verb, but it is not a complete thought. Because it is not a complete thought, a dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence; it is dependent on being attached to an independent clause to form a sentence.

example      :

a)   Because I woke up late this morning… (what happened?)

b)  When we arrived in class… (what occurred?)

c)   If my neighbor does not pay his rent on time… (what will happen?)

Kind of Sentences

Compound Sentence

A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined together with a coordinator such as for, and or but. It is distinct from a complex sentence, which is an independent clause that is joined with a dependent clause.

Example     : Chelsi  likes to fish, and she is going fishing on Friday. Chelsi likes to fish is an independent clause. "Chelsi" is the subject, "likes" is the action, and a complete thought is expressed.

Complex Sentence     :

Complex sentence contain an independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Example     : Because my coffee was too cold I heated it in the microwave.

Compound-complex sentence

A compound-comples sentence is comprised of at least two independent clauses and one or more dependent clauses.

Example     : Though Chelsi prefers watching romantic films, she rented the latest spy thriller, and enjoyed it very much.

http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/sentences/compound-sentences.html