Clauses and Phrases A phrase is a group of words that DOES NOT have both a subject and a verb. A clause is a group of words with BOTH a subject and a verb An independent clause contains a SUBJECT and a VERB, or predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought. A dependent clause has a subject and a verb but it is NOT a complete thought. It cannot stand alone because it is a FRAGMENT.

Simple Sentences The students learned simple sentences today. Simple sentences have only ONE INDEPENDENT clause. INDEPENDENT An independent clause contains a SUBJECT and a VERB, or predicate. An independent clause is a complete thought. The students learned simple sentences today.

Fragments A FRAGMENT is a portion of a sentence. A FRAGMENT is an incomplete thought. A FRAGMENT may have a subject and a verb, but it is incomplete. A FRAGMENT is broken. Toying with the idea of playing baseball later. Because she was upset with him. Six puppies across the yard.

Which Sentences Are Simple Sentences? Which sentences below are simple and which are fragments? Because she left early. The girl left early. Freddy loves his new baby sister. I couldn’t believe my eyes! When I got home. Did you let the cat out after school today? Why are you going outside? I won’t have to do it later. As if she forgot. Never forget!

Answers? Which sentences below are simple and which are dependent clauses or fragments? Because she left early. fragment The girl left early. simple sentence Freddy loves his new baby sister. simple sentence I couldn’t believe my eyes! simple sentence When I got home. fragment Did you let the cat out after school today? simple sentence Why are you going outside? simple sentence I won’t have to do it later. simple sentence As if she forgot. fragment Never forget! simple sentence (the subject is the understood you: (You) never forget!)

Simple Sentences There are many ways to write a simple sentence, so, for some students, it may be easier to think about formulas. Subject Verb Judy is a lovely lady. Tom and Frank left for France today. Subject Subject Verb Subject Verb Verb My dog Bobo chases and chews his tennis ball. Nancy and Larry went to the movies and ate popcorn. Subject Subject Verb Verb

What are the Formulas? EX: Mrs. Blanche and Mr. Rhodes ran outside. Formula = Subject Subject Verb What formulas are used in the following sentences? Yesterday, the teacher scolded the entire class. Mom and dad went to the grocery store. Frank bought his sister flowers and baked her a cake for her birthday. Sammy and JJ love to play catch outside. Have you seen the movie Star Wars?

What are the Formulas? ANSWERS What formulas are used in the following sentences? Yesterday, the teacher scolded the entire class. SV Mom and dad went to the grocery store. SSV Frank bought his sister flowers and baked her a cake for her birthday. SVV Sammy and JJ love to play catch outside. SSV Have you seen the movie Star Wars? SV

WARNING: Common Mistake! Do not assume that a long sentence is NOT a simple sentence. Many sentences include prepositional phrases that EXTEND the length of the sentence. She sat atop the dog house in the field behind her apartment building. The simple sentence is: She sat. She sat (atop the dog house) (in the field) (behind her apartment building).

Is This a Simple Sentence? Cats and dogs make wonderful pets. Yes! Subject = cats, dogs Predicate/Verb = make The sentence is a complete thought.

Is This a Simple Sentence? Blue is more than just blue! Yes! Subject = blue Predicate/Verb = is The sentence is a complete thought.

Is This a Simple Sentence? I am going to bed early since I have to wake up early tomorrow morning. NO! There is a DEPENDENT clause in this sentence: DEP = since I have to wake up early tomorrow morning.

Is This a Simple Sentence? Today, Brenda and Charlie are going to the mall and then to a restaurant for dinner. Yes! Subject = Brenda, Charlie Predicate/Verb = are going The sentence is a complete thought. (to the mall, to a restaurant, for dinner = prepositional phrases that add additional information to the complete thought) Today, Brenda and Charlie are going to the mall and then to a restaurant for dinner.

Is This a Simple Sentence? Although dogs chase cats, dogs and cats can live together peacefully. NO! There is a DEPENDENT clause in this sentence: DEP = Although dogs chase cats