Quick Review Created by Kayla Whitaker Whats a

Quick Review Created by Kayla Whitaker

What’s a clause? A grammatical unit that contains a subject and a predicate. There are two types to be concerned with today 1. independent clause 2. dependent clause

What’s an independent clause? A group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It is a sentence, meaning it may stand alone. Example: Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.

What’s a dependent clause? A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does NOT express a complete thought. It cannot be a sentence, meaning it may not stand alone. Often marked by a dependent marker word, such as: after, although, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, whenever, whether, and while. Example: When Jim studied in the library for his chemistry test… *What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.

Exploring Compound and Complex Sentences

A Day at the Park I went to the park. I went on Saturday. I went with my friends. My friends are Marie, Connie, and Roy. We rode our bikes. I rode my new bike. Roy brought his basketball. We played for two hours. We were hot. We were thirsty. Connie and Roy’s mom brought us lemonade and sandwiches. We ate them for lunch. We had a lot of fun.

To make your writing more interesting, you can combine the short sentences to make longer sentences. The longer sentences can be either compound or complex.

Compound Sentence A sentence that contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. Examples: Andy built a snowman, and Jeff played with his dog. Dan struggled with his homework, so his father helped him. Conjunctions: for and nor but or yet so FANBOYS

Dependent clause + Independent clause = Complex Sentence

After her father read her a bedtime story Complete sentence? Dependent clause What happened after her father read the story? Maria goes to sleep after her father read her a bedtime story. Complex Sentence A dependent clause must be paired with an independent clause to achieve its full meaning. The result is a complex sentence.

Creating Complex Sentences Option 1 Independent Clause + Subordinating Conjunction + Dependent Clause Example: I want to proofread my essay before showing my teacher. Option 2 Subordinating Conjunction+ Dependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clause Example: Although I am nervous about writing, I think I will do just fine.

Common Subordination Conjunctions After Though Because Before How Since Unless As if Whatever Whenever Whether While Although As Even Though If So that Until When Where Whichever Who What Wherever Whose

Beware! Common errors when combining sentences: 1. COMMA SPLICES 2. RUN-ON SENTENCES 3. SENTENCE FRAGMENTS

Comma Splice A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. I like this class, it is very interesting. How can we fix this comma splice?

Some Possible Solutions Leave it as two independent clauses: I like this class. It is very interesting. Add a semicolon: I like this class; it is very interesting. Add a coordinating conjunction: I like this class, and it is very interesting. Add a connecting word to explain why: I like this class because it is very interesting. Or you may rework the sentence: Because it is very interesting, I like the class.

Run-on Sentences A run-on sentence occurs when there are two independent clauses that are not separated by any form of punctuation. My professor is intelligent I’ve learned a lot from her. How can we correct this run-on?

Some Possible Solutions Create two separate sentences: My professor is intelligent. I’ve learned a lot from her. Add a semicolon: My professor is intelligent; I’ve learned a lot from her. Add a coordination conjunction: My professor is intelligent, and I’ve learned a lot from her. Add a semicolon with a connecting word: My professor is intelligent; moreover, I’ve learned a lot from her.

Sentence Fragments Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. Because I forgot the exam was today. What happened? This is an incomplete thought. So, how may we correct this fragment?

Some Possible Solutions Combine it with another sentence to create a complete thought: Because I forgot my exam was today, I didn’t study. Remove the dependent marker: I forgot my exam was today.

A Day at the Park I went to the park. I went on Type Class Sentence Saturday. I went with my Combination friends. My friends are Marie, Connie, and Roy. We rode our bikes. I rode my new bike. Roy brought his basketball. We played for two hours. We were hot. We were thirsty. Connie and Roy’s mom brought us lemonade and sandwiches. We ate them for lunch. We had a lot of fun.

Combined Sentences On Saturday I went to the park with my friends, Marie, Connie, and Roy. We rode there on our bikes. It was the first chance I had to ride my new bike. Roy brought his basketball so we could play. We played for two hours. By the time we were finished playing, we were hot and thirsty. Luckily, Connie and Roy’s mom showed up just then and brought us lemonade and sandwiches for lunch. We had a lot of fun.

Your turn! Choose any topic you wish to write about Write approximately ten simple sentences Once you have finished, we will swap with a partner who will then rewrite your passage by combining sentences. Important: Write your name on your “short sentences” passage. You will rewrite your partners on the back, or on the bottom of their page. Please put your name on their paper as well, but indicate that you are the editor. Don’t forget to check your spelling and use proper punctuation! Also, be cautious of the common errors made when combining sentences.