Download Independent and Dependent Clauses

Initiating Question
Think to yourself… what are
the three necessary
components of independent
clauses?
**If you’re struggling, think about
ANYTHING you know about
independent clauses.
Independent and
Dependent Clauses
Independent Clauses— SENTENCES!
• Contain:
• Subject (example: The boy)
• Verb (example: hits)
• Complete thought (example: The boy hits
the ball).
• Examples:
• Stefan carried the ball to his sister.
• Elisabeth cried.
• They smiled.
Dependent Clauses—NOT
COMPLETE SENTENCES!
• Are…
• Groups of words that contain subjects
and verbs but DO NOT express complete
thoughts—begin with subordinating
conjunctions
• Examples:
• When I am sixteen
• Although it is warm outside
• Because Joseph lied
Why Are Clauses Important?
They express information in
different ways.
They can be combined into
various types of sentences!
Types of Sentences
Simple, Compound, Complex, Compound-Complex
Simple Sentences
• Contain…
• 1 Independent Clause
• 0 Dependent Clauses
• Examples:
• My sister enjoys singing with you.
• They behaved like monsters.
• I looked for Henry and Agatha at the
cafeteria.
Compound Sentences
• Contain…
• 2 (or more) Independent Clauses
• Comma + Coordinating Conjunction (or
semicolon)
• 0 Dependent Clauses
• Examples:
• I like babysitting, but those kids are terrible!
• George likes to sing, and I like to dance.
• I was locked out of the house, so I cried.
Complex Sentences
• Contain…
• 1 Independent Clause
• 1 (or more) Dependent Clause (before or after
IC)
• If DC is first, use a comma
• If IC is first, don’t use a comma
• Examples:
• When the bell rang, the students ran to their seats.
• The students ran to their seats when the bell rang.
Compound-Complex Sentences
• Contain…
• 2 (or more) Independent Clauses
• 1 (or more) Dependent Clause
• Examples:
• When the bell rang, the students ran to their
seats, and the teacher began the lesson.
• Although I like to go camping, I haven't
had the time to go lately, and I haven't
found anyone to go with me.
How Can Knowing the Types of
Sentences Help Our Writing?
We can vary our syntax (sentence
structure) by using different types of
sentences.
Varying sentence structures (and
lengths) can make our writing more
engaging.
Colons
1. Use the colon after a complete sentence to introduce a list
• We learned many writing fundamentals: grammar,
punctuation, style, and voice.
2. Use the colon to introduce a quotation.
• Shakespeare urged others to be original and authentic: “To
thine own self be true.”
3. Use the colon to follow the salutation of a business letter
(but use a comma with personal communication)
• Dear Mr. Robinson:
4. Time
• 4:30
5. Subtitles
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit
Source
Semicolons
1. Use a semicolon to connect two
independent clauses that are related to
each other…can be used with a conjunctive
adverb (i.e. however, therefore,
nonetheless, subsequently, thus, etc.)
I am a student at Greer Middle College; my
school is the best!
My brother is a student at Greer Middle
College; however, I attend Wade Hampton.
Semicolons Continued
2. Use a semicolon as a “super comma”
with a list of items separated by
commas
Johnny has been to several big cities: Las
Vegas, Nevada; Atlanta, Georgia; New York
City, New York; and Los Angeles, California.
Semicolon Practice
1. Write a sentence using a semicolon to
combine two independent clauses.
2. Write a sentence using a semicolon to
combine two independent clauses with a
conjunctive adverb.
3. Write a sentence using a semicolon to
separate items (with commas) in a list.
ERRORS IN COMBINING
INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
Run-on Sentences
• Run-on sentences occur when writers
combine independent clauses WITH
NOTHING BETWEEN THEM.
• Example:
• I love writing papers I would write one every
day if I could.
• Give me the manual it can tell us what to do.
• It is a beautiful day let’s go outside!
Run-on Sentence Corrections
4 Ways to Correct Run-on Sentences
1. Use a period
It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go outside!
2. Use a semicolon
It’s a beautiful day; let’s go outside!
3. Use a comma + coordinating conjunction
It’s a beautiful day, so let’s go outside!
4. Use a subordinating conjunction (to make an
independent clause dependent)
Because it’s a beautiful day, let’s go outside!
Run-On Correction Practice
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Correct the following run-on sentences.
This isn’t a great playground however, the kids
still love it.
The baseball team lost Saturday they just
couldn’t hit!
I’m not a good babysitter kids really annoy
me.
The best part of life is the people in it that’s
what my mom always says.
I cooked last night it was a monumental event!
Run-On Correction Answers
Correct the following run-on sentences.
1. This isn’t a great playground; however, the kids
still love it.
2. The baseball team lost Saturday because they
just couldn’t hit!
3. I’m not a good babysitter; kids really annoy me.
4. The best part of life is the people in it; that’s
what my mom always says.
5. I cooked last night. It was a monumental event!
Comma Splices
• Comma splices occur when writers combine
independent clauses with ONLY A COMMA.
• Example:
• Pizza is the best, I would eat one every day if I
could.
• I like to drive, hopefully I will have a motorcycle
soon.
• Fall is coming soon, the leaves look great when
they change colors.
Comma Splice Corrections
4 Ways to Correct Comma Splices
1. Use a period instead of a comma
Pizza is the best. I would eat it every day if I could!
2. Use a semicolon instead of a comma
Pizza is the best; I would eat it every day if I could!
3. Add a coordinating conjunction to the comma
Pizza is the best, so I would eat it every day if I could!
4. Use a subordinating conjunction (to make an
independent clause dependent)
Because pizza is the best, I would eat it every day if I
could.
Commas Splice Correction Practice
Correct the following comma splices in two different
ways.
1. I didn’t like the movie, it was way too long.
2. She and Jerry are getting married in the fall,
they didn’t want a summer wedding.
3. My favorite bands are all really loud, playing
loud music is good for stress relief.
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