1. Chapter 8: Sentence Structure

2. What is a clause?
Clauses are groups of words that contain a subject and a verb.
There are two main types of clauses: independent and dependent (or subordinate).

3. Example: Dan extinguished the fire.
Independent Clauses
An independent clause (IC) contains a subject, verb, and expresses a complete thought.
Since this type of clause is independent, it can stand on its own as a complete sentence.
Example: Dan extinguished the fire.

4. Example: Because Dan extinguished the fire.
Dependent Clauses
A dependent clause (DC) also has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
Since it is dependent, it cannot be a sentence on its own.
Example: Because Dan extinguished the fire.

5. Dependent Clauses
To distinguish a dependent clause from an independent clause, look for dependent marker words.
When one of these words is placed before an independent clause, that clause becomes dependent.
because
when
whenever
where
how
who
whoever
whom
whomever
what
whatever
which
whichever
that
why
while
whose if
as if as
as long as
as soon as
even if
unless
before
after
though
as though
even though
since
whether
whereas
until
so that
in order that
provided that
although

6. examples
While the gods thundered in the heavens, the mortals below cowered in fear. As the bank robber dodged the bullet, Joey jumped behind the counter. Though Susan appreciated the flowers, a Corvette would be a finer gift. Students who fail to show up for class won’t do well on the test.

7. Examples
The gods thundered in the heavens as mortals below cowered in fear. The bank robber dodged the bullet while Joey jumped behind the counter. Susan appreciated the flowers even though a Corvette would be a finer gift. After the flood, the family moved into a temporary shelter.

8. Practice
Draw a slash (/) between the independent and dependent clauses. Make sure to label each clause as IC or DC.
Although I lost my library book, I still finished my report in time.
Everybody got worried when Mrs. Jones yelled.
My mom, whom I look up to, is very generous.
I’ll join you at the mall after I finish my homework.
Even though he felt sick, James still went on the field trip.

9. Simple Sentences
A simple sentence (S) contains one independent clause and no dependent clauses
Length of the sentence doesn’t matter!
George laughed. IC
Every Tuesday and Thursday, Clarissa teaches young children gymnastics after school.

10. Compound sentences
A compound sentence (CD) contains two or more independent clauses and no dependent clauses.
Independent clauses can be joined by a comma and coordinating conjunction or a semicolon.
The little boy ran, and then he hid.
IC, cc IC
The little boy ran; then he hid.
IC; IC

11. Remember…
Coordinating conjunctions are what you know as the acronym FANBOYS: For And Nor But Or Yet So

12. Practice
Emily Dickinson published very few poems in her lifetime. Some students ate in the cafeteria; others went outside in the sunshine. Dark clouds gathered over the baseball field, and it started to rain. I read the draft of the paper and did a thorough revision. Last night, the storm howled and crashed against my window.

13. Homework
Number a sheet of loose-leaf paper from 1-8 (skip a line in between). Create sentences with the following structures:
1. simple sentence (short)
2. simple sentence (short)
3. simple sentence (long)
4. simple sentence (long)
5. compound sentence (comma FANBOYS)
6. compound sentence (comma FANBOYS)
7. compound sentence (semicolon)
8. compound sentence (semicolon)

14. Complex Sentences
A complex sentence (CX) contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.
In a complex sentence, a dependent clause can come before, after, or in the middle of the independent clause.

15. Complex Sentence Examples
When we visited, Mr. Brodsky shared his memories of World War II. DC, IC Mr. Ruiz was a photographer until he was drafted. IC DC Mrs. Jones, who is my grandmother, served as a nurse in the Army. IC-, DC, -IC Mr. Luizzo, who is a retired pilot, talked to us about his experiences in enemy territory where he was a prisoner of war. IC-, DC, -IC DC

16. Complex sentence Practice
The car swerved to miss the student who had slipped off the pavement. A student who is hungry would never pass up a hamburger. Until Mr. Sanchez has his first cup of coffee, it is best not to talk to him. Diane decided to plant tomatoes in the back of the yard where the sun blazed longest during the day. Even though the broccoli was covered in cheddar cheese, Emily refused to eat it.

17. More Complex Sentence Practice
Nick gave a handful of potato chips to the dog that was sniffing around the picnic tables. While Bill napped on the sofa in front of the television, the family cat scratched the leg of the coffee table because it was bored. Rhonda gasped when a six-foot snake slithered across the floor. Tanya did poorly on her test because her friend insisted on gossiping during their study session.

18. Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound-complex sentence (CD-CX) contains two independent clauses and at least one dependent clause.
To identify a compound-complex sentence, first look for a compound sentence, then look for a dependent clause(s).

19. Compound-Complex Sentence examples
Though Mitchell prefers watching romantic films, he rented the latest spy thriller; he enjoyed it very much.
DC, IC; IC
Laura forgot her friend's birthday, so she sent her a card when she finally remembered.
IC, cc IC DC
When we won the state championship, the team captain jumped for joy, and the fans cheered until the team was off the field.
DC, IC, cc IC DC

20. Compound-Complex sentence Practice
While Tom reads novels, Jack reads comics, but Sam only reads magazines. The dog barked when he saw the cat; the cat ran away until she was safe. After the two soccer players lost their game, they joined their other teammates for lunch, and they went to the movies. The man believed in the system, and he knew that justice would prevail after the murderer was sent to jail.

21. Adjective Clauses
An adjective clause is a dependent clause used as an adjective.
It modifies a noun or pronoun, and tells which one, what kind, or how much.
Adjective clauses are usually introduced by words like who, whom, whose, that, and which.

22. Adjective Clause Examples
Student volunteers read books to children who were in the daycare center.
(which children?)
A guide dog that completes its training can lead a blind person across streets.
(which dog?)
The guitar, which was the one Elvis used to own, was found at a garage sale.
(which guitar?)
HINT: Adjective clauses are NOT movable; If you move them, the sentence becomes confusing.

23. Practice
The route that I take to school everyday is very scenic. John read the book that I gave him. A politician who is trustworthy has the support of the people. Spring is the season when everything blooms. We did not understand the reason why the experiment failed.

24. Adverb Clauses
An adverb clause is a dependent clause used as an adverb.
It modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb and tells where, when, why, how, to what extent, or under what conditions.
Adverb clauses are usually introduced by words like if, because, even though, than, so that, while, where, when, as if, and since

25. Adverb Clause examples
When spring arrives, the flowers bloom.
(When do the flowers bloom?)
The woman had no money because she lost her job.
(Why didn’t the woman have money?)
Where there is smoke, there is fire.
(Where is there fire?)
HINT: Adverb clauses are movable; If you move them, the sentence still makes sense.

26. Practice
After Boston won the pennant in 2004, the entire city celebrated. We know the cake is done when the timer rings. Some people buy expensive cars because they can. Wherever there is a large city, there will be traffic. When they ran out of food, we left the party. Phone us when you arrive in town.

27. Noun Clauses A noun clause is a dependent clause used as a noun.
Like a noun, a noun clause can be a subject, direct object, indirect object, object of a preposition, or a predicate noun.
HINT- If you can substitute the word “something” or “someone” in place of a clause and it makes sense, then it’s a noun clause

28. Noun Clause Examples
What the English teacher said inspired us. (noun clause as subject) The wonderful thing about my students is that they all get along so well (noun clause as predicate noun) I must decide which class to take. (noun clause as direct object) English teachers dispense wisdom to whoever will listen. (noun clause as object of a preposition) Give whoever needs that paperwork the correct information (noun clause as indirect object)

29. Practice
What Billy did shocked his friends. Billy’s friends didn’t know that he couldn’t swim. Billy’s mistake was that he refused to take lessons. Mary is not responsible for what Billy did. That Billy finally learned how to swim is a miracle. George eats whatever is on his plate.

30. More Practice
We will give whoever drops by a free yoga lesson. Whatever you decide is fine with me. Lacey talked at length about how she had won the pie-eating contest. The problem is that my GPS is lost. Whether you drive or fly is up to you. Sandy led us to where she had last seen the canoe.