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 SentencesSimple, 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 (:)

Colons1. 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

Semicolons (;)

Source

Semicolons1. 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 Corrections4 Ways to Correct Run-on Sentences

1. Use a periodIt’s a beautiful day. Let’s go outside!2. Use a semicolonIt’s a beautiful day; let’s go outside!3. Use a comma + coordinating conjunctionIt’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 PracticeCorrect the following run-on sentences.

1. This isn’t a great playground however, the kids still love it.

2. The baseball team lost Saturday 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!

Run-On Correction AnswersCorrect 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 Corrections4 Ways to Correct Comma Splices

1. Use a period instead of a commaPizza is the best. I would eat it every day if I could!2. Use a semicolon instead of a commaPizza is the best; I would eat it every day if I could!3. Add a coordinating conjunction to the commaPizza 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 PracticeCorrect 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.

Source

Sentence Fragments• A fragment fails to be a sentence because it cannot

stand by itself—does not contain an independent clause.• Does not have subject + verb + complete thought

• Fragments include:• Dependent clauses by themselves • When the boy got home from school.

• Descriptive phrases that don’t have subjects and/or verbs• Working hard to make good grades in the class.

• Clauses with only part of a verb phrase• Some of the athletes playing on the court.

Correcting Sentence Fragments• To correct sentence fragments, simply insert the

missing parts of the sentence (subject, verb, and/or complete thought).

• Examples:• When the boy got home from school. When the

boy got home from school, he lay down on his bed.• Working hard to make good grades in the class.

Working hard to make good grades in the class, Johnny learned that hard work pays off.• Some of the athletes playing on the court. Some

of the athletes were playing on the court.

Practice: Correcting Fragments

Add to these fragments to make them complete sentences.

1. Even though the bus was late.

2. Running and ducking for cover.

3. Tiffany’s project, which she completed in three hours.

Practice: Possible Answers

Add to these fragments to make them complete sentences.

1. Even though the bus was late, Jeremy still made it to school on time.

2. The soldiers were running and ducking for cover.

3. Tiffany’s project, which she completed in three hours, lacked some details.

Review

CS, R-O, SF PracticeIdentify the following as either COMMA SPLICE, RUN-ON

SENTENCE, SENTENCE FRAGMENT, or NO ERROR.1. Mrs. Jones is a new teacher in our school she is not a

principal.2. The student works very hard, however, the tests are

difficult.3. Although his efforts in the class were not rewarded.4. John and Marcy like to eat.5. Alex and Joanna went to the concert, it was awesome!6. Running behind on their way to school.7. Scout likes to beat up boys Jem is quiet and courageous.8. Because the book is so good, I couldn’t put it down!

CS, R-O, SF Practice AnswersIdentify the following as either COMMA SPLICE, RUN-ON SENTENCE,

SENTENCE FRAGMENT, or NO ERROR.1. Mrs. Jones is a new teacher in our school she is not a principal.

Run-On2. The student works very hard, however, the tests are difficult.

Comma Splice3. Although his efforts in the class were not rewarded. Frag.4. John and Marcy like to eat. No error5. Alex and Joanna went to the concert, it was awesome! Comma

Splice6. Running behind on their way to school. Fragment7. Scout likes to beat up boys Jem is quiet and courageous. Run-on8. Because the book is so good, I couldn’t put it down! None

Apostrophes

How are apostrophes used?

1. With contractions—place the apostrophe where the letter(s) has been removed• Don’t, isn’t, hasn’t, you’re, etc.

2. To show possession (singular and plural)• One boy’s hat Two boys’ hats• An actress’s hat The actresses’ hats• Texas’ weather OR Texas’s weather

(either is accepted)

Apostrophe Practice: Insert Them!Insert an apostrophe into the correct place(s).

1. The boys wallet was in the car.

2. You can stop by Ms. Schonhars classroom after school.

3. Its always a great day to be at GMC!

4. Three girls watches have been found.

5. The womens dresses are in the back left of the store.

6. I didnt hear the directions, so I couldnt do the work.

7. I told Mark that he wouldnt win the game, so he kicked Toms shin.

8. Whos going to the dance tonight?

9. Why cant the kid behave? Its a mystery to me.

10. The four bears cave was hidden from view.

Common Apostrophe Errors

•Its versus It’sIts is possessive (its coat is white) while it’s is a contraction meaning “it is” or “it has”

•Their, There, They’reTheir is possessive (their game is tonight); there tells you where something is; and they’re is a contraction meaning “they are”

•Who’s versus WhoseWho’s is a contraction meaning “who is” or “who has” while whose is possessive (whose coat is this?)