a clause is a clause is a clause a group of words that always contains a subject and verb in...
TRANSCRIPT
A Clause Is a Clause Is a Clause
• A Group of Words That Always Contains a Subject and Verb in Combination
• Clauses may be Independent or Dependent.• Independent Clauses can function as complete
sentences, e.g., a simple sentence.• Dependent Clauses must be “attached” to an
Independent Clause, e.g., a complex sentence.
Simple Sentence=One Independent Clause(Also called the main or principal clause)
In the bedtime story, Jack killed the goose.Subject=JackVerb=killedSentence Pattern= ?Pattern 3 because of the direct object goose.
Compound Sentence=Contains Two or More Independent Clauses
In the bedtime story, Jack killed the goose, and his mother cooked it for supper.
Subject=JackVerb=killedSubject=motherVerb=cooked
Punctuation for Compound Sentences
• Because you have more than two independent clauses in the same sentence, you will need additional punctuation as well as conjunctions.
• Commas will almost always precede coordinating conjunctions: but, or, yet, so, for and, nor. (BOYSFAN or FANBOYS)
• You may elect to use a semicolon to join two independent clauses as well. Sometimes you will include a conjunctive adverb and a comma as well.
Compound Sentence with a Coordinating Conjunction and a comma
• The Giants have won eight consecutive games, but their hopes of making the playoffs are dwindling.
• Subjects: Giants and hopes• Verbs: have won and are dwindling.• Comma must precede but because two
independent clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction.
Compound Sentence with a Semicolon and/or Conjunctive Adverb
• The Clemson Tigers destroyed the Auburn Tigers on Saturday; Auburn will not repeat as college football champions this season.
• Subjects: Clemson Tigers and Auburn Tigers• Verbs: destroyed and will repeat• The semicolon joins two independent clauses.• ; therefore, (would also work in place of
comma and coordinating conjunction)
Conjunctive Adverb “Fix”
• The Clemson Tigers destroyed the Auburn Tigers on Saturday; Auburn will not repeat as college football champions this season.
• The Clemson Tigers destroyed the Auburn Tigers on Saturday; therefore, Auburn will not repeat as college football champions this season.
Comma Splices
• Never use a comma to splice together two independent clauses because you will create a comma splice or fault. This error reflects two serious grammar mistakes: one relating to punctuation and one relating to sentence structure.
Fixing a comma splice is easy.
• President Obama proposed increasing taxes on rich Americans, many Republicans immediately called it “class warfare.”
• President Obama proposed increasing taxes on rich Americans, and many Republicans immediately called it “class warfare.”
• President Obama proposed increasing taxes on rich Americans; many Republicans immediately called it “class warfare.”
Practice Exercises
• In each of the following sentences, a caret ˄ marks a point of coordination. If the sentence is Type 1, write O in the space at the left. If the sentence is Type 2, write C (for comma) in the space. If the sentence is Type 3, write S (for semicolon) in the space.
• _____ Yesterday, the men finished the project ˄ therefore, they stayed home today.
Practice Exercises
• In each of the following sentences, a caret ˄ marks a point of coordination. If the sentence is Type 1, write O in the space at the left. If the sentence is Type 2, write C (for comma) in the space. If the sentence is Type 3, write S (for semicolon) in the space.
• _____ The shortstop dove for the ball ˄ but was not able to field it cleanly.
Practice Exercises
• In each of the following sentences, a caret ˄ marks a point of coordination. If the sentence is Type 1, write O in the space at the left. If the sentence is Type 2, write C (for comma) in the space. If the sentence is Type 3, write S (for semicolon) in the space.
• _____ Usually, Jim takes his vacation in August ˄ he’s never been to the mountains in October before.
Practice Exercises
• In each of the following sentences, a caret ˄ marks a point of coordination. If the sentence is Type 1, write O in the space at the left. If the sentence is Type 2, write C (for comma) in the space. If the sentence is Type 3, write S (for semicolon) in the space.
• _____ The secretary is searching everywhere for that lost file ˄ for we need it desperately for this afternoon’s meeting.
Practice Exercises
• In each of the following sentences, a caret ˄ marks a point of coordination. If the sentence is Type 1, write O in the space at the left. If the sentence is Type 2, write C (for comma) in the space. If the sentence is Type 3, write S (for semicolon) in the space.
• _____ Maria will either take that job in Los Angeles ˄ or take a tour of Europe immediately after graduation.