Contact Clauses: A Guide to Joining Independent Clauses

Have you ever wanted to join two independent clauses in your writing, but didn't know how to do it without using a relative pronoun like "who," "that," or "which"? If so, then you might benefit from learning about contact clauses.

A contact clause is a type of clause that combines two independent clauses without using a relative pronoun. Instead, the clauses are joined by a conjunction like "and," "but," or "or." There are three main types of contact clauses: coordinated, adversative, and concessive. In this lesson, we will explore each of these types in detail and provide examples to help you better understand how to use contact clauses in your own writing

Contact Clauses

A contact clause is a type of clause that combines two independent clauses without using a relative pronoun (such as "who," "that," or "which"). Instead, the clauses are joined by a conjunction like "and," "but," or "or."

There are three main types of contact clauses: coordinated, adversative, and concessive. Let's take a look at each of these in turn.

Coordinated Contact Clauses

Coordinated contact clauses are used to join two independent clauses that are equal in importance or are presenting two alternatives. The conjunction "and" is often used in coordinated contact clauses.

Here are some examples of coordinated contact clauses:

  1. I finished my homework and went for a run.
  2. You can have the chicken or the beef.
  3. She sings and plays guitar.
  4. They studied all night and still didn't pass the exam.
  5. We can go to the park or stay at home.
  6. He speaks Spanish and French.
  7. She works as a doctor and volunteers at the local hospital.
  8. They were planning to go on vacation and decided to go to Hawaii.
  9. We can either order takeout or cook dinner ourselves.
  10. He writes software and designs websites.

Adversative Contact Clauses

Adversative contact clauses are used to present two contrasting ideas or alternatives. The conjunction "but" is often used in adversative contact clauses.

Here are some examples of adversative contact clauses:

  1. I like ice cream, but I don't like popsicles.
  2. She is usually very organized, but she left her notes at home today.
  3. We were planning to go to the beach, but it's raining now.
  4. He is a great athlete, but he doesn't like team sports.
  5. She is a talented musician, but she doesn't like performing in front of crowds.
  6. They were going to visit their grandparents, but they decided to stay home instead.
  7. We had a lot of fun at the party, but it was very loud.
  8. He is a good student, but he doesn't like studying.
  9. She is a very good cook, but she doesn't like cooking for large groups.
  10. They are usually very punctual, but they got stuck in traffic today.

Concessive Contact Clauses

Concessive contact clauses are used to present a contrast or exception to what was previously stated. The conjunction "although" or "though" is often used in concessive contact clauses.

Here are some examples of concessive contact clauses:

  1. Although it was raining, we went for a walk.
  2. Though she is very busy, she always makes time for her family.
  3. Although he is usually very quiet, he can be very outgoing when he's with his friends.
  4. Though the project was difficult, we were able to complete it on time.
  5. Although she is allergic to peanuts, she still loves peanut butter.
  6. Though they don't have a lot of money, they always find a way to travel.
  7. Although it was cold outside, we still went skiing.
  8. Though he is not very tall, he is a very good basketball player.
  9. Although she is a vegetarian, she still loves to cook meat for her family.
  10. Though it was a late night, we still managed to get up early the next day.

I hope this lesson on contact clauses was helpful! If you have any questions or would like further clarification, just let me know.