Clauses Sentence Structure Lesson What is a Clause

Clauses Sentence Structure Lesson

What is a Clause? A subject and predicate working together I am. Reading is fun. I study hard so I get good grades.

What is a phrase? A group of words related to the subject or predicate. Hiding under the table, the dog knew he was bad. Warren, the world’s best Yu-Gi-Oh player, arranged a duel.

Conjunctions Join words, clauses, and phrases. Examples Rob and I went to the movies. She is good at singing and great at dancing. We ordered pizza but we couldn’t pay for it.

Coordinating Conjunctions F. A. N. B. O. Y. S. For And Nor But Or Yet So

Subordinating Conjunctions Most common subordinators After Although As Because Before Even if If Now that Once Since That Though Unless Until Whenever Wherever While

Dependent Clauses Cannot stand by themselves. Do not express a complete thought. Subject + Predicate + Subordinator Examples Unless you want to go. Because I care. Before you lose your cool.

Independent Clause Can stand by itself or with a dependent. Expresses a complete thought. Subject + Predicate Examples I ran. Fractions are fun. Pizza tastes good.

Run-On Sentence Joining two independent clauses. Examples I got home, mom yelled at me. Pizza tastes good cookies taste better. Get your work in the quarter is almost over.

Joining Clauses 1. Use a subordinating conjunction. 2. Use a coordinating conjunction. Examples Wrong: I got home, mom yelled at me. Right: When I got home, mom yelled at me. Wrong: Pizza tastes good cookies taste better. Right: Pizza tastes good but cookies taste better.

Practice Combine the sentences using conjunctions. You may remove or add words You may change verb tenses Do not change the meaning Do not remove information

1 Bob went to school Bob forgot to bring his home work Bob had a bad day

2 Jenna’s favorite rapper is Lil’ Wayne. I like the Ghostface Killah. I am old school.

3 Surfing can be dangerous. Sitting on the beach is safe. I’m not going out into the ocean.