Independent & Dependent Clauses Foundational structuring

The independent clause A group of words containing a subject, verb, and form a complete thought. An independent clause can stand alone. Examples: “Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.” “Mike had a great time at the party last night.”

The dependent clause A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone. Examples: “After Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.” “Before Mike had a great time at the party last night.”

Practice 1 Identify the following as independent or dependent clauses: “ Arriving late to the funeral, the priest had a lot of explaining to do.” “We marched for hours but seemed to be getting nowhere.” “Because I forgot the quiz was today.”

Combining clauses Connecting dependent and independent clauses There are two types of words that can be used as connectors at the beginning of an independent clause: coordinating conjunctions and independent marker words. 1. Coordinating Conjunction 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: “Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.”

Cont. 2. Independent Marker Word An independent marker word is a connecting word used at the beginning of an independent clause. These words can always begin a sentence that can stand alone. When the second independent clause in a sentence has an independent marker word, a semicolon is needed before the independent marker word. “Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.” Some common dependent markers are: 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.

Practice 2 “Her car was running on empty, but she knew she couldn’t stop.” “I like this class, it is very interesting.” “Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz; however, it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.” “Although it was noisy in the library, Jim tried to study there anyway.”

Homework Due: 9-5-12 Create the following: An independent clause A dependent clause A sentence correctly containing an independent and depend clause using an independent marker word A sentence correctly containing an independent and dependent clause using a coordinating conjunction.