Winston Grammar
Frequently Asked Questions

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9. ADVANCED WINSTON--QUESTIONS FOR WORKSHEETS 67, 68, 70 & 76?
Q.
My questions relate to sentences in the Advanced Grammar dealing with constructions like sentence 7 on worksheet 67 or sentence 5 on Worksheet 68 or sentence 5 on worksheet 70. These all have a dependent clause modifying an adjective which follows a linking (being) verb. I can' t figure out how to explain to my kids what "questions" these clauses answer about the adjective. Especially sentence 7 on worksheet 67 - it would seem in this sentence that the independent clause actually modifies the dependent clause! (Why did we get up early? Because we were eager.)

I also have a comment about the answer for sentence 4, worksheet 76. I don't think "whatever help" can be a dependent clause, as there is no subject/verb combination. Instead, help is the noun/direct object in the independent clause, whatever is an adjective modifying "help", with "(that) you can" as a dependent adjectival clause modifying "help". What do you think?

We have really appreciated Winston Grammar. I wish there was a little more after Advanced - are you working on a "Post Advanced"? I would love to see your approach expanded to include punctuation as well.

Thanks for your time!

A.
Dependent clauses all begin with either a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun. Then the determination needs to be made as to the function of the dependent clause. In the case of Worksheet 67, sentence 7, "...so we got up early" contains the subordinating conjunction and by definition becomes the dependent clause. The independent clause "We were eager" can stand alone and describes our state--one of eagerness in the same way as "She is pretty" or "We are happy". The dependent clause shows the consequence of the state of eagerness--getting up early. It is the same case for the other sentences in question. It is true that the sentence could be turned around to be written "We got up early because we were eager." "Because we were eager" would then be the dependent clause as it contains the subordinating conjunction and "We got up early" the independent clause.

In older editions, Worksheet 76, sentence 4 was in error. Newer printings have corrected this. Please see the errata list below.

Including punctuation into the Winston Grammar Program is in the long range plans. It is partially completed, but no publication date can be set at this time.

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