Clauses and Punctuation Clauses can be described with more specificity, but for the purpose of understanding punctuation, this is simplified.

Basic Definitions Subject – The subject is the person, place, thing, or idea that is the topic of our comment. Predicate – The comment we are making about the subject Clause – Any construction that contains a subject/predicate relationship

Clauses Independent Clause (IC) An independent clause is any clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence. An IC has a subject and a predicate. Dependent Clause (Also known as a Subordinate clause) (DC) Like and IC a dependant clause has both a subject and a predicate, but unlike an (IC) a (DC) cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence.

Examples of independent clauses She walked They learned to dance The sky was blue

Examples of Dependant clauses Although taxes are too high Because I am tired If the building burned to the ground

Dependant clause often begin with prepositions The most common prepositions are "about," "above," "across," "after," "against," "along," "among," "around," "at," "before," "behind," "below," "beneath," "beside," "between," "beyond," "but," "by," "despite," "down," "during," "except," "for," "from," "in," "inside," "into," "like," "near," "of," "off," "on," "onto," "out," "outside," "over," "past," "since," "through," "throughout," "till," "to," "toward," "under," "underneath," "until," "up," "upon," "with," "within," “while” and "without Look these up on line!!!

A DC that is not correctly attached to an IC is called a fragment After the store closed for the evening. Near the alley behind the trashcan. Underneath the bed growling. While you were sleeping soundly. Until I tell you to go.

Sentence Types Sentence types are the classifications of sentences based on component IC’s and DC’s

Simple Sentences – One (IC) and NO (DC) Example: Sally walked her dog. Henry is tall. Sally and Henry walked the dog and laughed. Sally walked to the store and bought candy.

Compound Sentence Two (IC) s and NO (DC) - These sentences will be joined by a conjunction (using a comma)or a semi-colon (;) = and, but, or, nor

Compound Sentence Examples Alice walked to the store, and she bought an ice cream. Her favorite music is rap, but she also listens to country. Alice walked to the store; she bought an ice cream.

Complex Sentence One (IC) and one or more (DC)s - If the (DC) precedes the (IC) a comma is used between the clauses. If the (IC) precedes the (DC) no comma is needed.

Example Complex Walter doesn’t like to ski since he broke his leg. Since he broke his leg, Walter doesn’t like to ski. After failing French, Maurice studied harder because his mother was angry.

Compound/Complex – Two or more (IC)s and one or more (DC)s Since he broke his leg, Walter doesn’t like to ski, but he likes to hike. Ms. Maletz enjoys hip hop while Mrs. Dettelbach jams to classic rock, but they both love to dance.