Download Clauses and Phrases

Clauses and Phrases
The keys for unlocking
compound / complex
sentences
A phrase is a group of words
WITHOUT a subject/verb pair.
• It cannot be a simple sentence.
AJ and her sister
(wrong) on a sunny day.
• It cannot be one half of a compound sentence.
(wrong)
(wrong) AJ and her sister, and they lived in Japan.
(wrong) on a sunny day, but it is not warm.
• It cannot be one part of a complex sentence.
(wrong)
AJ and her sister when they were younger.
(wrong)
Although on a sunny day, it is not warm.
The most common phrase is a
prepositional phrase (prep + noun object)
• of location
in my country
on the desk
at the store
between the houses
• of direction
from my house
to the library
into the soup
• Of time
A prepositional phrase
CANNOT be the subject
in an hour
after two weeks
for ten minutes
during the day
Another common phrase is a
noun phrase
•
Adjective + noun
clever students
the highest score
the hot soup
• Gerund + object
learning to ski
listening to music
memorizing grammar rules
• Compound nouns
Stephanie and AJ
coffee or tea
poor but happy
A clause is a group of words with a
subject AND verb.
• It can be a simple sentence.
(AJ and her sister lived in Spain.)
(It is sunny).
• It can be one half of a compound sentence.
(AJ lived in Spain), and (she lived in Japan).
(It is sunny), but (it is not warm).
• It can be one part of a complex sentence.
(AJ lived in Spain) (when she was 25).
(Although it is sunny), (it is not warm.)
There are two kinds of clauses:
Clause #1 = independent or main clause
• Can be a simple sentence
AJ and her sister lived in Spain.
• Can be one clause of a compound sentence
AJ lived in Spain, so she speaks Spanish.
• Can be the main clause of a complex sentence
AJ lived in Spain when she was 25.
Clause #2 = dependent clause
Also, dependent clauses ALWAYS begin with a
subordinating conjunction
• if
• when
• although
• as soon as
• unless
• because
MORE on pp. 190-191 in your writing textbook
• Cannot be a simple sentence
When AJ Wrong!!!
and her sister lived in Spain.
• Cannot be one clause of a compound sentence
When AJ lived
Wrong!!!in Spain, so she speaks Spanish.
• Can be with a independent clause in a complex
sentence
AJ lived in Spain when she was 25.
Correct!!!
Writing rule to remember about
dependent clauses:
• They are never a full sentence. They must
also have an independent (main) clause
• Because I am hungry.
• I am eating because I am hungry.
Frag
Correct!!!
• If I study a lot.
Frag if I study a lot.
• My English will improve
Correct!!!
Practice – say clause or
phrase
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phrase
In the capital of my country.
Between you and me.
phrase
I was a child.
clause
If I can.
clause
My sister and her husband
phrase
Since I was a child.
clause
Practice – say dependent or
independent
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•
•
•
•
•
D
Before I came to the U.S.
I came to the U.S.
I
When I was a child.
D
I was a child.
I
My sister and I stayed home.
I
If my sister and I stayed home.
D
Comma rules for compound sentences
• Always write a comma before the conjunction
I live in Portland, and I work in Beaverton.
He is sleeping right now, but he’ll call you later.
I lost my purse, so I called the police.
• Do not write a comma between two words or phrases
I like ice cream and candy.
The ball went behind the sofa and under the desk.
She is the top student and my best friend.
Comma rules for complex sentences
• YES! write a comma if the dependent clause is 1st.
Although I live in Portland, I work in Beaverton.
Because he is sleeping right now, he’ll call you later.
Since I lost my purse, I called the police.
• NO! do not write a comma if the dependent clause is 2nd.
I work in Beaverton although I work in Portland.
He’ll call you later because he is sleeping right now.
I called the police since I lost my purse.
Practice
Write a DC in front of the dependent clauses, an IC in
front of the independent clauses, and a P in front of the phrases.
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•
•
•
•
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•
•
•
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P
The student next to Abdul.
IC
The car stopped.
When he was a small boy.
DC
IC
We went to see a movie.
P
In the morning or in the afternoon.
The cats were lying in the sun.
IC
P
Since the dawn of time.
P
From the easily missed corner.
DC
As soon as the alarm went off.
The music from the southern part of my country.
P