Independent Clauses, Dependent Clauses, and Simple, Compound, Complex & Compound Complex Sentences

Independent Clauses An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and predicate and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Example: Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clauses A dependent clause is virtually the same thing as an independent clause except that a dependent clause does not express a full thought. Example: While Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz

How Can We Spot a Dependent Clause? Dependent clauses can be identified by their dependent marker words. These are words that, when added to a clause, change it from independent to dependent. Common Examples: after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

Who cares? It is important to know how sentences are structured, but it is even more important to understand punctuation and proper sentence formatting. If we understand the different types of clauses and phrases it will help us to correctly punctuate our sentences.

So Then How Do You Punctuate? FANBOYS The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are and, but, for, or, nor, so, and yet. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction Example: Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

So Then How Do You Punctuate? Semi Colons When you want to combine two independent clauses, but you don’t want to use coordinating conjunctions, you should use a semi colon! Example: Jim studied in the café for the quiz; his house was too much of a distraction.

So Then How Do You Punctuate? Sentences Beginning With Dependent Clauses A dependent clause can be made into a complete idea if it is placed before an independent clause. A comma comes directly after a dependent clause that comes before an independent clause. Example: While Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz, Kathy broke into his car.

So Then How Do You Punctuate? Sentences Ending With Dependent Clauses A dependent clause can also be made into a complete idea if it is placed after an independent clause. When a dependent clause comes directly after an independent clause, no comma is necessary. Example: Kathy broke into Jim’s car while he studied in the café for his chemistry quiz.

We’re going to the coffee shop Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation After the show We’re going to the coffee shop

The cheese was really hot Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation I ate pizza The cheese was really hot

Because it is sunny outside You should wear sunscreen Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation Because it is sunny outside You should wear sunscreen

Until you show some effort Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation You will be grounded Until you show some effort

Even though it was 100 degrees outside Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation Even though it was 100 degrees outside The pool was not open

We could not go swimming Let’s Practice! Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation It was too cold We could not go swimming

Let’s Practice! I can’t go to the movie Unless it is free Combine the following independent and dependent clauses into a sentence using proper punctuation I can’t go to the movie Unless it is free

A simple sentence is a single independent clause. Example: Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz. I am hungry. That was really fun!

Compound Sentence A compound sentence is a sentence in which two independent clauses are linked together with a coordinating conjunction. In a compound sentence, you should always use a comma before the coordinating conjunction. Example: Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz, but it was too noisy to concentrate. I am hungry, and my mom is making dinner. That was really fun, so we should do that again!

Complex Sentence A complex sentence is a sentence that includes one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. When the dependent clause comes first in the sentence, it is followed by a comma. When it comes second in the sentence, no comma is needed. Example: Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz because the quiz was going to be very difficult. When I am hungry, my mom makes me dinner. If that was fun, we should do it again.

Compound Complex Sentence Compound-complex sentences include two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction, AND a dependent clause. All punctuation rules you’ve learned in the past few slides apply. Example: Because the quiz was going to be very difficult, Jim studied in the café for his chemistry quiz, but he had trouble concentrating. If that was fun, we should do it again, but I’m not available on Wednesday.

Unless it is free I can’t go to the movie. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Unless it is free I can’t go to the movie.

Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Before my mom comes home I am cooking dinner and my sister is cooking brownies.

I am cooking dinner and my sister is cooking brownies. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. I am cooking dinner and my sister is cooking brownies.

Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Unless it is free I can’t go to the movie but you should go without me.

Let’s Practice! I am cooking dinner. Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. I am cooking dinner.

I can’t go to the movie but you should go without me. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. I can’t go to the movie but you should go without me.

Before my mom comes home I am cooking dinner. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Before my mom comes home I am cooking dinner.

Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Because it is Friday all of the students are going to the party and they are very excited.

All of the students are going to the party. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. All of the students are going to the party.

Because it is Friday all of the students are going to the party. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. Because it is Friday all of the students are going to the party.

All of the students are going to the party and they are very excited. Let’s Practice! Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. All of the students are going to the party and they are very excited.

Let’s Practice! I can’t go to the movie. Identify which type of sentence we have below, and include proper punctuation. I can’t go to the movie.