Ind. / Dep. Clauses & Sentence Types

Clauses and Conjunctions

Definition of a Clause

• A CLAUSE is defined as a group of words that contains both a subject and a verb.

Types of Clauses

1. Independent Clause

   • An INDEPENDENT CLAUSE can function on its own as a complete sentence.

   • Example:

     • The hideous clown frightened the innocent boy.

2. Dependent Clause

   • A DEPENDENT CLAUSE cannot stand alone and must be connected to an independent clause with a subordinating conjunction.

   • Example:

     • Because he is worried about the evil clown.

Conjunctions

• A CONJUNCTION is defined as a word (or words) that joins words or groups of words.

Types of Conjunctions

1. Coordinating Conjunction

   • A COORDINATING CONJUNCTION is used to join words or groups of words that share the same grammatical value, such as two nouns, two prepositional phrases, or two independent clauses.

   • The acronym “FANBOYS” represents coordinating conjunctions:

     • For

     • And

     • Nor

     • But

     • Or

     • Yet

     • So

   • Examples:

     • He tried teaching them about grammar, but they weren’t interested.

     • The doctor observed and analyzed the patient’s strange behavior.

2. Subordinating Conjunction

   • A SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTION initiates a dependent clause.

   • Examples:

     • Whenever I see a clown, I run and hide under the bed.

     • I like to listen to music while I’m working.

   • Commonly Used Subordinating Conjunctions:

     • After, because, since, whatever, whichever,

     • Although, before, so that, when, while,

     • As, even though, than, whenever, who,

     • As far as, how, that, where, whoever,

     • As if, if, though, whereas, whom,

     • As long as, in order to, unless, wherever, whomever,

     • As soon as, provided that, until, whether,

     • As though, once, what, which

Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences

Definitions

1. A Simple Sentence consists of one INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

2. Compound Sentence

   • A COMPOUND SENTENCE consists of two or more INDEPENDENT CLAUSES.

3. Run-On Sentence

   • A RUN-ON is a construction where multiple independent clauses are written without necessary punctuation.

   • Repairing a Run-On:

     • There are FOUR methods to correct a run-on:

     1. Connect the independent clauses with a COMMA and a COORDINATING CONJUNCTION (a FANBOY).

     2. Use a SEMICOLON ($;$) to link the clauses if the ideas are related.

     3. Separate the independent clauses into distinct SENTENCES for emphasis.

     4. Transform one of the independent clauses into a DEPENDENT CLAUSE.

   • Example:

     • Original: Everyone loved Coldstone Creamery when it was first built in Dublin they have over thirty flavors of ice cream everyone was eager to try all of them.

     • Fixed: [To be filled by student]

   • Example:

     • Original: When I left the school I discovered that I had been robbed it was the last time I went to a dance.

     • Fixed: [To be filled by student]

4. Complex Sentence

   • A COMPLEX SENTENCE contains at least one DEPENDENT CLAUSE and one or more INDEPENDENT CLAUSES.

   • Note: The order of clauses matters; for example, it can be structured as DC, IC or IC, DC.

5. Fragment

   • A FRAGMENT is an incomplete sentence that lacks a SUBJECT, a VERB, or an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.

   • Fragments often serve as DEPENDENT CLAUSES.

   • Fixing a Fragment:

     • To correct a fragment, either add a SUBJECT or a VERB to create an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE, or connect the fragment to an independent clause.

   • Example:

     • Original: If you want to pass English I.

     • Fixed: If you want to pass English I, you need to study the material.

   • Example:

     • Original: Working late into the night to complete the time-sensitive task.

     • Fixed: Landon is working late into the night to complete the time-sensitive task.

6. Comma Splice

   • A COMMA SPLICE refers to the incorrect use of a comma between two independent clauses that are not connected by a COORDINATING CONJUNCTION.

   • Correcting a Comma Splice:

     • There are FOUR ways to repair a comma splice:

     1. Insert a COORDINATING CONJUNCTION after the comma.

     2. Replace the comma with a PERIOD.

     3. Change the comma to a SEMICOLON ($;$) if the ideas are closely related.

     4. Replace the comma with a SEMICOLON, followed by a transitional phrase and a comma.

   • Example:

     • Original: Puppies and babies are very cute, they are also a lot of work.

     • Fixed: [To be filled by student]

   • Example:

     • Original: I was on the swim team, my swimming ability improved dramatically.

     • Fixed: [To be filled by student]