An Analysis of Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses in the Lyrics of One Last Time by Ariana Grande

Authors

  • Hery Reynaldi Tarigan Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Rahel Satri Purba Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Riby Astri Siboro Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Rani Puspa Sari Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Monika Nalalian Silaban Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Anita Sitanggang Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v5i4.20635

Keywords:

Independent Clauses, Dependent Clauses, Lyrics, Music

Abstract

This study examines the syntactic structure of Ariana Grande’s song “One Last Time” by analyzing independent and dependent clauses used throughout the lyrics. The research aims to identify the types of clauses and their functions in conveying emotional meaning. Using a qualitative descriptive method, 71 clauses were identified, including 45 independent clauses and 26 dependent clauses. The independent clauses express direct emotions, intentions, and realizations, while the dependent clauses provide reasoning, elaboration, and emotional depth. Recurrent syntactic patterns, such as noun and adverbial clauses, support the emotional narrative of the song. The findings reveal how grammatical structures enhance the emotional intensity and coherence of the lyrics. This study highlights the significant role of clause types in shaping lyrical meaning and stylistic expression.

References

Andersen, T. H., & Holsting, A. E. M. (2018). Clause complexing in systemic functional lingustics–towards an alternative description. Functional Linguistics, 5(1), 10.

Fitriana, W. (2021). An Analysis of Student’s Literary Response Text Using SFL. Indonesian Journal of Functional Linguistics, 1(2), 99-108.

Goyak, F., Muhammad, M. M., Mohd Khaja, F. N., Zaini, M. F., & Mohammad, G. (2021). Conversational mental verbs in english song lyrics: a corpus-driven analysis. Asian Journal of University Education (AJUE), 7(1), 222-239.

Halliday, M. A. K., & Matthiessen, C. M. I. M. (2014). Halliday’s introduction to functional grammar (4th ed.). Routledge.

Huddleston, R., & Pullum, G. K. (2005). A student's introduction to English grammar. Cambridge University Press.

Hyrsky, L. (2020). Exploring interpersonal patterns of language switches in English/Spanish dialogue–a Systemic Functional Grammar approach to the study of codeswitching.

Silalahi, T. F., Purba, R., Manurung, S. M., Purba, I. P., Butar, L. B., Herman, H., ... & Tannuary, A. (2024). Learning the Meaning of Song Lyrics through the Elements of Ideational Metafunction: A Case on Systemic Functional Linguistics. Anglophile Journal, 4(1), 61-76.

Simatupang, E. C. (2022). The Analysis Meaning of Metallica Album “And Justice for All. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 5(3), 18861-18868.

Simpson, P. (2004). Stylistics: A resource book for students. Routledge.

Taggart, C. C. (2016). The grammatical features of pop lyrics: A study of clause types and verb tenses in selected songs. Journal of Language and Music, 3(2), 45–58.

Uduak, P., & Akpan, R. W. (2020). An overview of the arts as a language of communication, expression and experience: A discourse. Serbian Research Journal of Education, Humanities and Developmental Studies (SRJEHDS, 10 (1), 28–46.

Downloads

Published

2025-07-25

How to Cite

Tarigan, H. R., Purba, R. S., Siboro, R. A., Sari, R. P., Silaban, M. N., & Anita Sitanggang. (2025). An Analysis of Independent Clauses and Dependent Clauses in the Lyrics of One Last Time by Ariana Grande. Innovative: Journal Of Social Science Research, 5(4), 4427–4439. https://doi.org/10.31004/innovative.v5i4.20635

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.