ENTC 3030 Sentences Sentences Complete and Otherwise l

ENTC 3030 Sentences

Sentences: Complete and Otherwise l Sentences are composed of phrases and clauses. • A phrase is a group of related words that • does not contain a subject and a verb. A clause is a group of related words that does contain a subject and a verb.

l The subject-verb sets are essential units of communication.

Clauses l There are two types of clauses, and clause type is determined by conjunction type: • Main clauses begin with coordinating conjunctions or none. • Subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions.

Conjunctions and imitators l Coordinating conjunctions don't alter the grammatical rank of the words or word groups that they connect: • for, • and, • but, • or, • nor, • so, • yet

l Subordinating conjunctions subordinate the clauses they begin, • so a clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction is automatically a subordinate clause.

l "Subordinate" implies dependence on the main clause, suggesting a hierarchy in terms of both grammar and meaning: • main ideas in main clauses and subsidiary • ideas in subordinate clauses will communicate most clearly. Note that subordinating conjunctions are extremely useful when they're used correctly because they explain how ideas relate.

Here's a partial list of subordinators: • after, • although, • as, • because, • before, • if, • once, • since, • though, • unless, • until, • whenever, • wherever, • while.

l Adverbial conjunctives (also known as conjunctive adverbs) are often mistaken for conjunctions, but conjunctions create a grammatical link as well as an intellectual one; • adverbial conjunctives create only the latter.

l Thus, they are fine transition tools, but they cannot replace conjunctions in sentence structure and function.

l This partial list will give you an idea of common adverbial conjunctives: • however, • therefore, • thus, • consequently, • furthermore.

l Relative pronouns may act as subordinating conjunctions: • that, • which, • who, • what, • whoever, • whom, • whose.

l Subordinators may also be phrases: • as if, • as soon as, • as though, • even though, • in that, • in order that, • no matter how, • so that.

Sentences l Main clauses may stand alone as complete sentences, which is why they're also called "independent clauses. " • When they are combined in a sentence, they must be connected by coordinating conjunctions or semicolons in order to form correct sentences.

l Subordinate clauses must be combined with at least one main clause to form a complete sentence, which is why they’re termed "dependent clauses. “

l Every sentence, therefore, must have at least one main clause.

l Incomplete sentences • Run-ons: main clauses without appropriate • conjunctions Fragments: no main clauses

Sentence types l Simple: one main clause l Complex: one main clause, one or more subordinate clauses

l Compound: more than one main clause, no subordinate clauses l Compound/complex: more than one main clause, at least one subordinate clause

EXERCISE: Identify the sentence types. Frogs hop. l Puerto Rican tree frogs live in bromeliads. l Looking for salamanders involves turning over rotten logs, handling numerous slimy things, and frequently getting wet. l

We found the frogs, but we lost our equipment. l Although the fieldwork was exciting, it was also tiring. l I know that writing is necessary, but fieldwork is more fun. l

The current was swift, he could not swim with his pack on. l Although he thought he could until that time. Returning once again, to the rainforest, seeking specimens. l For example, rare toads, exotic lizards, strange insects. l

Only a few stars came out, for the moon was bright; the sky was as bright as day, the moon was like the sun, and the stars were unable to compete. l Only a few stars came out because the moon was bright even though it was only a crescent. l

Rainforest soil lacks nutrients and minerals. l When the trees are cut, crops cannot be grown successfully. l

l Corporations planning to use the land for grazing are often disappointed, however the rainforest continues to disappear.