1. 3.4 Independent and Subordinate Clauses
Clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb
Independent clause (main clause)- expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as sentence
Example:
S V
I recently visited Boston, Massachusetts.

2. A subordinate (or dependent) clause CANNOT stand by itself as a complete sentence.
It must be attached to an independent clause in order for it to make sense
If not, it is a sentence fragment
Example:
S V
While we were there, we went to a Boston Red Sox game.
Subordinate clause before the independent clause.

3. S V
I ate a lot of clam chowder, which is a Boston specialty.
Independent clause then a subordinate clause
S V
Many buildings that we saw on the bus tour were built before the Revolutionary War.
Subordinate clause in the middle of an independent clause
After we walked around the Boston Common, we visited
S V
the New England Aquarium, which first opened in 1969.
Two subordinate clauses, before and after an independent clause

4. 3.5 Varying Sentence Structure
Simple sentence- has only one independent clause and NO subordinate clauses
-Simple sentences are not always short
-There may be compound subjects and verbs, prepositional phrases to make them long and complicated

5. Examples of Simple Sentences
One subject and one verb
Compound subject and compound verb
Several prepositional phrases
Water is important.
All plants and animals need a surprising amount of water and depend on it to stay healthy.
In recent years and in countries throughout the world, chemicals from factories have been dumped into lakes and rivers.

6. Compound Sentence has two or more independent clauses, and NO subordinate clauses.
In most compound sentences, the independent clauses are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunctions or a semicolon (;)
Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, not, so, for, yet

7. Examples of Compound Sentences
Two independent clauses
Three independent clauses
Last year we learned a lot about air pollution, but we hardly studied water pollution.
Baths usually require a lot of water; you may need more than forty gallons to fill a tub.
To save water, my brothers and I take shorter showers, we use low-flow showerheads, and we often wash dished by hand.

8. Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause.
The subordinate clause may go before, after, or in the middle of a sentence

9. Examples of complex sentences
One beginning subordinate clause
Two subordinate clauses at the end
One subordinate clause in the middle
If people make an effort, they can find ways to conserve water.
Polluted water may kill fish and other animals unless we can clean up lakes, rivers, and oceans where pollution occurs.
Students in our school who are interested in the environment should talk to talk to the principal about forming a club.