Summary of Technical English for Aviation Maintenance
Technical English for Aviation Maintenance: Student Guide
Introduction
A clear sentence is the building block of effective communication. This guide explains what sentences and clauses are, how they fit together, and how to identify and combine them correctly. You will find definitions, step-by-step explanations, examples, quick tips and practice-ready guidance suited for high school students.
Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and usually contains a subject and a predicate. A clause is a unit within a sentence that has a subject and a verb; clauses can be independent or dependent.
1. Clauses: the small units that build sentences
1.1 Independent clauses
- An independent clause (main clause) can stand alone as a complete sentence. Example: "She studies at night." It has a subject (She) and a verb (studies) and expresses a complete idea.
1.2 Dependent clauses (subordinate clauses)
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause. It adds information such as time, reason, condition, contrast, or purpose.
- Common subordinators: because, although, when, if, since, while, that, which, who.
- Example: "Although she studies at night" needs an independent clause to complete the idea: "Although she studies at night, she still feels tired in the morning."
Definition: A dependent clause begins with a subordinating word or relative pronoun and cannot form a full sentence by itself.
Table: Types of dependent clauses and common markers
| Clause type | Function | Common markers | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adverbial clause | Adds time, reason, condition, contrast | when, if, because, although, since | "If it rains, we will cancel the picnic." |
| Relative (adjective) clause | Modifies a noun | who, which, that, whose | "The student who studies hard passed the test." |
| Noun clause | Acts as a subject, object or complement | that, whether, what, how, why, who | "What she said surprised everyone." |
2. Sentence types by structure
2.1 Simple sentences
- Contain a single independent clause.
- Example: "Carlos reads the article."
2.2 Compound sentences
- Contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
- Example with conjunction: "Carlos reads the article, and Ana takes notes."
- Example with semicolon: "Carlos reads the article; Ana takes notes."
2.3 Complex sentences
- Contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: "Although Carlos reads quickly, he still takes notes to remember details."
2.4 Compound-complex sentences
- Combine features of compound and complex sentences: at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: "Although it was late, Carlos kept studying, and Ana reviewed her notes."
Definition: A compound-complex sentence contains multiple main clauses plus at least one subordinate clause.
3. How clauses join together: connectors and punctuation
- Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Use to join independent clauses. Use a comma before the conjunction when both clauses are independent.
- Subordinating conjunctions: attach dependent clauses to independent ones. When the dependent clause comes first, place a comma after it: "Because it rained, the game was postponed." If it comes after, generally no comma: "The game was postponed because it rained."
- Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and usually come immediately after the noun they modify: "The book that I borrowed was excellent."
- Semicolons connect closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction: "She practiced daily; her skills improved."
Punctuation quick rules
- Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause: "When the bell rang, students left."
- No comma when the adverbial dependent clause follows the main clause unless it adds nonessential information: "Students left when the
Sign up for the full summaryFlashcardsKnowledge testSummaryPodcastMindmap
Start for free Already have an account? Sign in
Sentences & Clauses
Klíčové pojmy: A clause contains a subject and a verb, Independent clauses can stand alone, Dependent clauses need an independent clause, Adverbial, relative, and noun clauses are common dependent types, Simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex are sentence structures, Use FANBOYS with a comma to join independent clauses, Avoid comma splices; use semicolons or conjunctions, Place relative clauses next to the noun they modify, Use commas after introductory dependent clauses, Identify clause function: subject, object, complement, modifier
## Introduction
A clear sentence is the building block of effective communication. This guide explains what sentences and clauses are, how they fit together, and how to identify and combine them correctly. You will find definitions, step-by-step explanations, examples, quick tips and practice-ready guidance suited for high school students.
> Definition: A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought and usually contains a subject and a predicate. A clause is a unit within a sentence that has a subject and a verb; clauses can be independent or dependent.
## 1. Clauses: the small units that build sentences
### 1.1 Independent clauses
- An **independent clause** (main clause) can stand alone as a complete sentence. Example: "She studies at night." It has a subject (She) and a verb (studies) and expresses a complete idea.
### 1.2 Dependent clauses (subordinate clauses)
- A **dependent clause** cannot stand alone and depends on an independent clause. It adds information such as time, reason, condition, contrast, or purpose.
- Common subordinators: because, although, when, if, since, while, that, which, who.
- Example: "Although she studies at night" needs an independent clause to complete the idea: "Although she studies at night, she still feels tired in the morning."
> Definition: A dependent clause begins with a subordinating word or relative pronoun and cannot form a full sentence by itself.
### Table: Types of dependent clauses and common markers
| Clause type | Function | Common markers | Example |
|---|---:|---|---|
| Adverbial clause | Adds time, reason, condition, contrast | when, if, because, although, since | "If it rains, we will cancel the picnic." |
| Relative (adjective) clause | Modifies a noun | who, which, that, whose | "The student who studies hard passed the test." |
| Noun clause | Acts as a subject, object or complement | that, whether, what, how, why, who | "What she said surprised everyone." |
## 2. Sentence types by structure
### 2.1 Simple sentences
- Contain a single independent clause.
- Example: "Carlos reads the article."
### 2.2 Compound sentences
- Contain two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or a semicolon.
- Example with conjunction: "Carlos reads the article, and Ana takes notes."
- Example with semicolon: "Carlos reads the article; Ana takes notes."
### 2.3 Complex sentences
- Contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: "Although Carlos reads quickly, he still takes notes to remember details."
### 2.4 Compound-complex sentences
- Combine features of compound and complex sentences: at least two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
- Example: "Although it was late, Carlos kept studying, and Ana reviewed her notes."
> Definition: A compound-complex sentence contains multiple main clauses plus at least one subordinate clause.
## 3. How clauses join together: connectors and punctuation
- Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Use to join independent clauses. Use a comma before the conjunction when both clauses are independent.
- Subordinating conjunctions: attach dependent clauses to independent ones. When the dependent clause comes first, place a comma after it: "Because it rained, the game was postponed." If it comes after, generally no comma: "The game was postponed because it rained."
- Relative pronouns introduce relative clauses and usually come immediately after the noun they modify: "The book that I borrowed was excellent."
- Semicolons connect closely related independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction: "She practiced daily; her skills improved."
### Punctuation quick rules
1. Use a comma after an introductory dependent clause: "When the bell rang, students left."
2. No comma when the adverbial dependent clause follows the main clause unless it adds nonessential information: "Students left when the