SENTENCE STRUCTURE

The sentence is the basic unit of communication.  Even when certain particular words may not be fully understood, the communication still conveys meaning due to the context and flow within the sentence  [As an example taken from The Little, Brown Handbook, by H. Ramsey Fowler, consider: "The stintless rumfrums biggled the jittish poobas who were kerpesting the gloots."  These senseless words still convey meaning because we can identify the subject, the verb, the direct object and modifiers to these.]  Hence, let us consider the parts of the sentence and a method for indicating our understanding of its flow.  This will help us to understand more completely and accurately the communication found in the passage being studied.

Parts of the Sentence

SUBJECT

The subject of any sentence is directly related to the verb.  It may be the doer (in an active situation) of the action expressed in the verb; or, it may be the recipient of the action of the verb (in a passive situation).  Example of an active subject: "He saved us."  (Here the subject is the doer of the action described by the verb.)   Example of a passive subject: "You must be born again."  (In this example, the subject receives the action described by the verb from an actor outside the subject.)   The subject will generally be either a noun or a pronoun.

1.  Nouns - Nouns "name" persons, places, or things.  All things have names; these names are nouns (dog, ball, house, car, etc.).  There may be proper nouns (Bob, City Hall, Dallas) and collective nouns (army, family, church) also.

2.  Pronouns - Pronouns generally replace or substitute for nouns and can be used in the same manner as nouns.  There are personal pronouns (I, we, you, he, she, it, they), indefinite pronouns (everybody, somebody), demonstrative pronouns (this, that, these, those), relative pronouns (who, which, that),  intensive pronouns (himself, yourself, myself, themselves, etc.), reflexive pronouns (same as intensive but used to reflect the action), and interrogative pronouns (who, what, which).  Many of these will be explained further along in this section.

 

VERBS, VERBALS, ADVERBS

Verbs indicate action or some state of existence (or being).  Verbals (infinitives and participles) are used to modify verbs and nouns.  They may be used as adjectives to modify nouns; or, they may be used as adverbs to modify verbs.   Adverbs can be used to modify verbs or adjectives, other adverbs, and whole groups of words within clauses.

1.  Verbs - Verbs in English may indicate several things as they are used in sentences.

       a. Person - The "person" of a given verb may be indicated by the verb form, although in English the indicators are not always present.  The "first person" is used  when the speaker or doer is included within the subject:  "I go to the store;" or, "We go to the store."  The "first person pronoun" (singular, "I;" plural, "we") is used.  The "second person" is used when the subject is addressed by the speaker or writer: "You go to the store."  ("You," the second person pronoun, can be either singular or plural.)  The "third person" is used when the subject is being spoken about by others who are not the subject:  "He goes to the store."  "Goes" has an indicator ("-es" added to "go") which indicates it is "third person singular."  Sentences with nouns or other words taking the place of the designated subject are always in the third person.  The important thing to remember is "person."  What is involved in the sentence?  Is it first person (where the speaker or doer is included in the subject)?  Is it second person (where the subject is being addressed by the speaker or writer)?  Is it third person (where the subject is being talked about by others)?  Note the differences in these.

       b. Number - As mentioned above, verbs will be either singular or plural.  This is not always clear in English without considering attending words, such as the subject.  In the following example, the verb and subject are singular: "The dog chases the ball."  "The dogs chase the ball" has a plural verb (note the loss of the "s") as well as a plural subject.  The verb "chase" does partially and irregularly indicate what person it is in the present tense by the presence or absence of the "s," which serves as a marker.

       c. Tense - Tense generally indicates the time relationship of the verbal action in relation to other situations within the context.  The English tenses are present, past, future, present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. 

        1. Present Tense - The action is taking place at the time concurrent with the context:  "I am going to the store."  The action is generally current and linear.

        2. Past Tense - The action took place previous to the time concurrent with the speaker or writer.  "I went to the store."  The action took place before "now;" but it is unclear how much earlier it happened.

        3. Future Tense - The action has not yet happened; but, it will take place some time in the future: "I will go to the store."  This may or may not be used in the Bible as a prediction.  It may express determination; or, it may only express a hope.

        4. Present Perfect Tense - The action took place at some time in the past and has abiding results up to the present: "I have gone to the store."  This tense does not say that the results will continue into the future.  It is not promissory or prophetic. 

        5. Past Perfect Tense - The action took place at some time in the past and had results which abided up to some point in the past but does not necessarily have effects reaching to the present:  "I had gone to the store."

        6. Future Perfect Tense - The action will take place at some time in the future and will have results which abide for some time thereafter: "I shall have gone to the store."  That resulting abiding point is the focus.

       d.         Voice -Voice describes the relationship of the subject to the action of the verb within the sentence.  New Testament Greek and other languages show voice by changing the spelling of a particular verb form.  English reflects voice by  construction or word arrangement.  There are only two voices in English: active, or passive; although, the middle voice can be expressed by rearrangement or reconstruction of the clause.  Because NT Greek does have a middle voice which is reflected in the translation of the New Testament, we will consider it in this section also.

1) active - In the active voice, the subject acts directly through the verb.  "The boy hits the ball" indicates the active voice.  "The boy" is the actor who acts directly through the verb ("hits") upon the direct object ("the ball").  "Jesus wept" is also an example of the active voice although a direct object is not present.  Jesus (the subject) actively performs the action ("wept").   The action flows from the actor, the subject, through the verb.

2) middle - The middle voice shows that the subject is the actor who acts upon himself or for his own interest; that is, the subject is involved in some way with the action of the verb.  When the subject acts upon himself, the direct middle voice is employed.  Here is an example of the direct middle voice:  "The boy hits himself."   

When the subject acts for himself or for his own interest, the indirect middle voice is employed.   "The boy hits the ball for himself."  The subject has an interest in the action although the action is not performed directly upon the subject.

The intensive middle intensifies the subject in some manner.  "I did it myself!"  "I myself am captain of this ship!" 

3) passive - The passive voice represents the action as being performed by someone or something other than or outside of the subject.  The subject receives the action from this outside source or agent.  "The ball is hit by the boy."  The ball is the subject, but it is not the actor.  Rather, it is the recipient of the action from an outside source, namely, the boy."   Another example: "The house is being painted by the man."  The house is not doing the painting; it is receiving the paint.  The actor is outside and separate from the subject.  This is a very important exegetical point when considering some passages such as John 3:7 and Eph. 2:8.

       e.         Mood - Mood generally indicates the attitude of the writer or speaker towards what is stated.  Some would say that it is the "manner of affirmation" found in the verbal construction.  Mood will answer the question, "What is the relation of the verb to reality as intended by the writer or speaker?"  English employs three moods: indicative, imperative, and subjunctive.  NT Greek occasionally employs a fourth mood as well: optative.  These moods may also be divided into "actual" (indicative mood) and "potential" (imperative, subjunctive, and optative).  The three moods other than the indicative are called "potential" because their "reality" depends upon someone or something outside the control of the actors within the sentence.

1) indicative mood - The indicative mood generally indicates that the writer or speaker intends to convey some information as factual.  Whether it is really a fact that is objectively verifiable is irrelevant.  The writer/speaker wants the reader/hearer to understand it as factual or expressed opinion.  Further, the indicative mood can be used in a question.  An example: "I work all week."  The "veracity" or "reality" of this may depend upon whom you ask!!  However, the statement is offered as "truth."  "What are you doing?" is an example of the indicative mood because it assumes that "you" are actually doing something.

2) imperative mood - When a writer/speaker uses the imperative mood, he intends to influence the will of the reader/hearer.  Sometimes the imperative is called the mood of volition because it is used to make a command or plea.  The imperative omits the subject and employs (by implication) only the second and third persons in the Bible.  [The first person cannot be used in the imperative due to the definition of the mood.  "I" cannot command or plead with myself to do something.]  "Work all week long" is a command to "you" from the speaker.  "You" (second person) is the understood subject.  The context will indicate whether "you" is singular or plural.  An example of third person imperative: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."   Another: "Let them flee" (Mt. 24:16).

3) subjunctive mood - The subjunctive mood expresses contingency, hesitation, doubt, prohibition, or even something that is contrary to fact.   It does not express fact, intended or otherwise.  Potentiality and probability are the realms of the subjunctive.  The subjunctive is generally used in dependent clauses; although it  can be used in independent clauses.  These dependent clauses which employ the subjunctive may indicate a suggestion, a requirement, or a particular condition that may be either assumed or potential.  Independent clause usage: "Let us love one another"  (I John 4:7).  (Note that this is similar to the imperative third person usage mentioned in the previous section.  Here, in the subjunctive example, the first person is used; whereas, the first person cannot be used in the imperative.)  "What shall we eat" also is subjunctive in an independent clause showing deliberation (Mt. 6:31).   Examples of the subjunctive in dependent clauses:  "The manager insisted that Bob work on Saturday," "If I were you, I would save my money."  "These things I write to you in order that you may not sin."   (Clauses will be treated more fully in following sections.)

4) optative mood - This mood is found in NT Greek but is usually covered in English by the subjunctive.  It is used to express a wish or desire that is only potential.   Some have explained that "the subjunctive is the mood of probability; the optative is the mood of possibility"  (Vaughan/Gideon).  Note the lean of the two moods:  the subjunctive leans more to the probable than optative, the optative is more potential than the subjunctive.  Examples of the optative:  "May grace and peace be multiplied to you" (1 Peter 1:2);  "May the Lord guide your hearts" (2 Thess. 3:5).

In sum, the indicative mood will show fact or reality; the imperative attempts to act upon another's will; the subjunctive indicates potentiality or probability; and, the optative shows a wish or desire.  These moods are not so clearly discerned by reviewing only an English Bible; however, they are quite clearly indicated by NT Greek and to a lesser extent by OT Hebrew.  A good student of the Bible can determine the moods of particular verbs by reviewing "parsing guides" or Bible software now readily available.  Examples will be offered in succeeding sections to show how to use this information for in-depth study.

2.  Verbals - The verbals group contains the parts of speech called infinitives and participles.  These are "verbals" because they are action related (or may reflect a state of being) but are not controlled by person, number, time of action, or mood.  Further, these verbals can cross the line between verbs and nouns.  They can be used to reflect the verbal idea of the infinitival or participial root (the plain meaning) and to modify the main verb; or, they can be used to color or modify nouns, or even take the place of a noun, much like an adjective.  Hence, they may be considered as either adverbial (modifying the main verb) or adjectival (modifying nouns or taking their place).  [Adverbs and adjectives are reviewed in the following sections.]

  1. Infinitives --  The infinitive form of a verb is that form commonly found listed as the dictionary entry ("walk," "run," "ride," etc.).  Often the infinitive is preceded by the word "to" ("to walk," "to run," "to ride").  They can be used in several different ways, either alone or in an infinitival phrase as follows:

1.  As a noun complement - "The goal of sports is to exercise."  The infinitive "to exercise" is coupled to the subject by the "being" verb ("is"); and, it complements (completes the predicate and modifies) the subject "the goal."  "The goal of the serious sports enthusiast is to exercise all his body."  Here, "to exercise all his body" is an infinitival phrase used as a noun complement.

2.  As an adjective - "Bob is the person to hire."  The infinitive "to hire" is the adjectival modifier of "the person."  "Bob is the person to hire for the position."  "To hire for the position" is an infinitive phrase also acting as an adjective.

3.  As a noun object or subject - "The quarterback desired to win."  "To win" is used as a noun and serves as the object of the verb "desired."  "To run constantly seemed to be his desire."  "To run constantly," the infinitive phrase, is the subject.

4.  As an adverb - "Bill was anxious to leave."  "To leave" modifies the verb "was anxious" and so is "adverbial."  "John needed to eat quickly."  This infinitive phrase, "to eat quickly," is used adverbially to modify "needed."

[NT Greek infinitives also have tense and voice which generally must be reflected in one's interpretation / translation.  See the previous sections regarding tense and voice.  The major points to consider are these:  a present tense infinitive reflects a linear or continuous action type; the aorist tense generally reflects a punctiliar or completely viewed action; the active voiced infinitive is like the usual English infinitive shown above; the passive infinitive will employ "be" in the phrase.  Some examples:  "to eat" (present active) indicates "to eat continuously" actively as a linear act;  "to eat" (aorist active) indicates "to eat" actively as a completely viewed act, not as a linear action;  "to be eaten" (present passive) shows a linear act being performed upon its antecedent by an outside actor; "to be eaten" (aorist passive) reflects a completely viewed act being performed upon its antecedent by an outside actor.  TIME of action in these is not considered.  Past time, present time, future time are only present in the INDICATIVE mood.  The TYPE of action is the focus of the tense form, not its time relationship.]

  1. Participles - Present participles are constructed from the infinitive form by adding the ending "-ing."  Past participles are formed by adding the "-ed" ending to the infinitive form (of regular verbs).  This is generally the same form as the past tense form of the verb.  Irregular verbs will have root form changes and may have the ending "-ed" or "-en."   Participles (alone) or participial phrases can be used as adjectives, adverbs, or nouns.  They add an "action" idea.

1.  As an adjective (modifying nouns, pronouns, or phrases used as nouns) - "The running water drove the sleeper crazy."  The present ptcp. "running" modifies the noun "water."  "The warped part no longer worked."  The past ptcp. "warped" modifies the noun "part." 

2.  As an adverb - "He ate while running."  The ptcp. "running" is the adverbial modifier for the verb "ate," indicating a circumstance that took place during the action of the main verb. 

3.  As a noun (gerund) - "Working excited Larry."  Here, the present ptcp. "working" is  used as a noun and as the subject of the sentence.  "Larry hated working."  "Working" is the direct object.

[NT Greek participles have tense and voice (as the infinitives) which also must be reflected in one's interpretation / translation.  See the above discussion on infinitives.] 

3.  Adverbs - Adverbs further describe the actions of the main verb; and, they can modify adjectives, other adverbs, and phrases.

a.  Adverbs which modify verbs --  The form of the adverb may include the addition of "-ly."  Adverbs will indicate "where, when, how, or to what extent," with regard to the verb they modify.  "Bob stroked the cat roughly."  The adverb is indicated by the "-ly" and indicates "how" Bob stroked the cat.  "Throw the ball here."  The adverb "here" shows "where" the ball is to be thrown.

b.  Adverbs which modify adjectives - "Goliath was an extremely large man."  "Extremely" is the adverb which modifies the adjective "large."  "Robin Williams is an incredibly funny man."  "Incredibly" (adverb) modifies "funny" (adjective).

c.  Adverbs which modify adverbs - "The cake was eaten very quickly."  "Very" is an adverb which modifies the adverb "quickly."

 

[This concludes the section on VERBS, VERBALS, and ADVERBS.]

 

OBJECTS - Direct and indirect objects, along with the main verb, and modifiers make up the predicate of the sentence (those things not making up the subject).  We have considered verbs and verbals.  We will now focus on the recipient of the verbal action (the direct object) and the person or thing for whom (which) or to whom (which) the verbal action is done (the indirect object).

1.  Direct Object - The direct object is the receiver of the action of the main verb.  To have a direct object, the sentence must have an active voice verb (Review the previous section on "voice" in verbs.).  "Bob hit the ball."  "The ball" is the recipient of the action and serves as the direct object of the verb.  The action starts with the subject, moves thru the action of the verb, and is received by the direct object.  "John ate the sandwich."

2.  Indirect Object - The indirect object is the person or thing related or connected to the action of the verb "indirectly" and shows "to whom or for whom the action of the verb is directed."    "The church sent assistance to the family."  "Assistance" is the direct object, showing what was sent; "family" is the indirect object showing "for whom" the assistance was sent.

 

ADJECTIVES - As shown above in the VERBALS section, adjectives modify or describe nouns and pronouns.  "The blind man fell down."  "Blind" is the adjective modifying the noun "man."  "The letter was delivered by a mysterious someone."  "Mysterious" is the adjectival modifier for the pronoun "someone."

 

PREPOSITIONS, PREPOSITIONAL PHRASES

1.      Prepositions - A preposition is "a linguistic form that combines with a noun, pronoun, or noun equivalent to form a phrase that typically has an adverbial, adjectival, or sub-stantival relation to some other word" [Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary].  Some of the most common English prepositions, as listed by The Little, Brown Hand-book, are:  about, above, across, after, against, along, among, as, at, before, behind, below, beneath, beside, between, beyond, by, despite, down, except, for, from, in, inside, into, near, of, on, outside, over, since, through, to, toward, until, up, upon, with, within, without.

Prepositions can be used alone (which is not indicated in the definition above from Webster's) or in a phrase.  Used alone: "The dog ran outside."  Here, "outside" is used adverbially (modifying the verb) and indicates the direction of the dog's running.  The sentence "He is the boy inside" uses "inside" as an adjective to modify the noun "boy," indicating "which boy."

2.      Prepositional Phrases - When used in phrases, "prepositions always connect a noun, a pronoun, or a group of words functioning as a noun-called the object of the preposition-to another word that usually precedes the whole group" (The Little, Brown Handbook).  Again, prepositional phrases can be used as adjectives, adverbs, or rarely as substantives (nouns).  The phrase will consist of the preposition, its object, and possibly a modifier or modifiers of the object.

a.      Prepositional phrases used as adjectives

1. "I bought the car in the display window."  "In the display window" is the prepositional phrase.  "In" is the preposition, "window" is the noun serving as the object in the prepositional phrase, "the" is the definite article, and "display" is the adjectival modifier for the noun "window."

2. "Jobs in the city of Memphis are plentiful in the distribution industry."  "In the city of Memphis" is a prepositional phrase constructed of two smaller prepositional phrases ("in the city" and "of Memphis")  which adjectivally describe the noun "jobs."  The jobs being discussed are those located "in the city;" but, they are located in a specific city, "the city of Memphis."

b.      Prepositional phrases used as adverbs

1. "The car crashed into the house."  "Into the house" is the adverbial prepo-sitional phrase modifying the verb by describing where, or how, the car "crashed."

2. "I flew on the plane for two hours."  Here are two adverbial prepositional phrases.  "On the plane" describes where (location) or how (manner) "I flew."  "For two hours" shows the length of time for the flying.

 

CONJUNCTIVES and CONNECTIVES   

Conjunctives and connectives are used to "conjoin" or "connect" words or groups of words (clauses) within sentences.  They can be used also to connect thoughts between paragraphs.  In NT Greek or OT Hebrew, connectives are used which seem unusual or out of place in English, but may be necessary to connect thoughts (Consider the repetitious use of "and" or "for" at the beginning of sentences or paragraphs in the King James translation of the Bible).  The relationship between words, clauses, or subsequent thoughts in paragraphs is established by the connective or conjunctive.  (The following section on clauses will further explain these uses.)

1.      Conjunctives - These will coordinate words or groups of words having equal grammatical rank within the context.

       a. "And" - This conjunction can be used additively: "I gave the ball to Bob and John."  "John" is added equally to "Bob" as new owners of the ball.  It can also be used ascensively, to ascend in the explanation, to intensify: ". . . . by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit" [Titus 3:5].  Here, it would be better to translate the conjunctive as "even," showing that the first series of words ("the washing of regeneration") is intensified and clarified by the second series of words ("renewing by the Holy Spirit").  Hence, this can be reflected as: ". . . . by the washing of regeneration, even the renewing of the Holy Spirit."

       b. "But, however" - These are used to show opposition, a difference, or a contrast between those words or thoughts that are conjoined.  The second word or series of words is not like, or is not parallel or equal to, the first word or series of words.  "I went to the store; but, Bob went home."  "I paid my money; however, I did not receive my books."

       c. "Or" - Alternative words or ideas which cannot be added together are indicated by the conjunction "or."  (One must take the place of the other.)  "The winner must be John or Ted."  It cannot be both.  "You can buy a soda, or you can buy a candy bar."

2.      Connectives - Connectives, as the term is used here, generally show relationships between clauses by indicating subordinated thoughts or ideas.  Some of the more prominent examples . . . .

a. "For" - Generally used to connect sentences or paragraphs; quite prominent in the King James translation which reflects its frequent use in NT Greek.  It is not quite so prominent in modern translations because many times the logical connection of paragraphs or clauses is obvious.  "For" can be used to introduce a reason or ground for what has been said previously: "You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" [Matt. 1:21].   It can be used also to introduce an explanation for the preceding thoughts:  "But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, 'Why do you think evil in your hearts?  For which is easier, to say, "Your sins are forgiven you," or to say, "Arise and walk?"'" [Matt. 9:4,5].

b. "If / since" - "If" and "since" indicate clauses expressing a condition.  "If" is used to indicate a conditional clause which expresses something that has not yet happened but may happen in the future.  And, "IF" it does, the result is expressed in the subsequent independent clause.  "If I win the lottery, I will be rich."  I will not be rich until the condition expressed ("If I win the lottery") actually happens.  "Since" expresses a condition that has happened; so, the subsequent independent clause will follow.  "Since I won the lottery, I am rich."  I am rich since the condition has been met: I have won the lottery.  (Can't I dream??)

c. "So that, that" - Result is expressed by "that" or "so that."  "He spoke quietly so that I could not hear him."  He spoke quietly.  The result: I could not hear him.  "His voice was so low that I could not hear him."

d. "In order that, that" - Purpose is expressed by "that" or "in order that."  "I went to the store in order that I might buy a loaf of bread."  The purpose of my going to the store was to buy a loaf of bread.  "He gave me the money that might buy something."

e. "Because" - This indicates cause.  "I could not buy a loaf of bread because I had no money."  The cause for my inability to buy bread was my lack of funds.

f.        "However" - Contrast from the preceding is reflected by "however."   "'Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.' Sarah denied it however, saying, 'I did not laugh'; for she was afraid" [Gen. 18:14,15].

g.      "Therefore" - Conclusion is reflected by the connective "therefore." Adam sinned against God.  "Therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to cultivate the ground from which he was taken" [Gen. 3:23].

 

CLAUSES - Sentences can be very simple having only a subject and verb: "I ran."  This very short sentence can also be combined with other elements to add to the idea: "I ran to the store while Bob washed the car."  Our example now contains both an independent clause ("I ran to the store") and a dependent clause ("while Bob washed the car."); it is a "complex" sentence. 

A clause must have a subject and a verb; whereas, a phrase has no subject and verb, but consists of prepositions, definite articles, nouns, adjectives, and possibly verbals.  Again, using our previous example, "I" is the subject and "ran" is the verb of the independent clause, "to the store" is the prepositional phrase which describes the destination of the subject of the independent clause.  "Bob" is the subject of the dependent clause, and "washed" is the verb of that clause; "the car" is the direct object of the dependent clause.  "While" is the temporal adverb which sets off the dependent clause from the independent clause and indicates the meaning of the clause. 

1.      Independent Clauses - An independent clause can stand alone.  It is a complete entity and does not "need" the rest of the sentence.  All the others parts of the sentence are added to further color the independent clause.  The independent clause is the backbone of any complex sentence.

       a. "Jesus wept" contains both a subject and a verb.  It is a sentence by itself.  It can also be an independent clause, if we write it thus: "Jesus wept as He considered the death of His friend."  "As He considered the death of His friend" is our newly added dependent clause; it cannot be an independent clause because it cannot stand alone and make sense (due to the connector "as").

       b. "When Jesus, therefore, saw her weeping, . . . He was deeply moved in spirit."  "When Jesus, therefore, saw her weeping" is the dependent clause; "He was deeply moved in spirit" is the independent clause.

       c. A compound sentence is constructed with two independent clauses and a connective:  "Everyone went to his own house; but, Jesus went to the Mount of Olives."   The first independent clause is "Everyone went to his own house;" the second is "Jesus went to the Mount of Olives."  These are connected with the adversative conjunction "but" showing contrast between the two clauses.

 

2.      Dependent or Subordinate Clauses - Dependent clauses, which cannot stand alone and make good sense, can be used in many different ways to modify the independent clause.  If a dependent or subordinate clause is present, then an independent clause must also be present.  One must determine how the dependent clause or clauses may  modify the independent clause.

a.      Dependent Clause used as an Adjective - These can usually be identified by asking the question "Who?" or "What?" in relation to that which is modified.

1. "I went to the store that the construction company had recently built."  "That the construction company had recently built" is the dependent clause answering the question "What store?" "Company" is the subject of that clause, "built" is the verb.

2. "The man whom my father had mentioned came to visit us."  "Whom my father had mentioned" is the dependent clause which adjectivally modifies the subject "the man."  The independent clause is "The man . . . came to visit us."

 

b.      Dependent Clause used as an Adverb - These dependent clauses operate just like adverbs, as we have described earlier in our series.  They begin with subordinating conjunctives and can tell "when," "how," "why," "under what conditions," "results," etc.

1. Temporal Adverbial Usage (answers the question "When?" or "At what time?") - "Before the sun rose, I went fishing."  "Before the sun rose" is the dependent clause used adverbially to show time.  "When did the subject go fishing?"  "Before the sun rose . . . "  Other temporal adverbial subordinating conjunctions are "when," "after," "while," and "during."  These will indicate "when" the independent clause took place.

2. Causal Usage (answers the question "Why?" or "Due to what cause?") - The causal adverbial subordinating conjunctions generally used are "because," "since," and "for."  "God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made."  What was the cause of God's blessing the seventh day?  Why did He bless it?

3. Purpose (answers the question "Why?" or "For what purpose?") - "The scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, in order that they might find reason to accuse Him."  For what purpose did the scribes and Pharisees watch Jesus closely? The subordinating conjunctives used to show purpose are "that," "in order that," and "so that."  The independent clause is modified by additionally showing the purpose with the dependent clause.

4. Result (answers the question "Why?" or "What is the intended result?") - "The water increased and lifted up the ark, so that it rose above the earth."  What was the result of the water's increasing?  "Please say that you are my sister so that it may go well with me because of you."  What is the intended result of Abram's request?  The subordinating connectors can be "so," "so that," and "therefore," or "hence."

5. Comparative Usage (answers the question "How" or "In what manner?") - Look for the connectives "as," "just as," "likewise," or "in the same manner."  "Let us make a covenant with you, (so) that you will do us no harm, just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good."  In this example, "Let us make a covenant with you" is the independent clause.  "(So) that you will do us no harm" is the dependent clause which modifies the independent clause by answering "why" they want to make a covenant (showing the intended result).  Further, "just as we have not touched you and have done to you nothing but good" is the dependent clause which modifies the previous dependent clause, explaining the "manner" in which they hope that their fellow covenanters will act toward them.

6. Conditional  Usage (answering "When?" or "How?" or "Under what conditions?") --  These dependent clauses are usually set off by the conjunctives "if," "unless," "since," or "provided." "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love."  The condition for abiding in Christ's love is plainly shown. "Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?"  Note the condition he is under which ought to make him fear God. 

 

c.      Dependent Clause used as a Noun - This usage is the same as any noun can be used.  The dependent clause takes the place of the noun.  (Please review noun usage as explained previously in the series.)

1. As the subject - "Whoever calls on the phone at dinner time is usually a salesman."  The subject is the dependent clause "whoever calls on the phone at dinner time."

2. As the object - "We all know where the park is."  The direct object in the sentence is the dependent clause "where the park is" showing what is known.

3. As the indirect object - "I will buy whoever wants it a fudge sundae."  "Buy" is the action; "a fudge sundae" is the object; "(for) whoever wants it" is the indirect object.  

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and you do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be explicitly approved by South Woods Baptist Church.

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy:

Copyright South Woods Baptist Church. Website: www.southwoodsbc.org. Used by permission as granted on web site. Questions, comments, and suggestions about our site can be sent here.