2. Independent & Dependent Clauses

3. Independent Clause A complete thought.
A word group that can stand alone in a sentence.
An I.C. contains a subject and a verb.

4. Dependent Clause An incomplete thought.
A D.C. also contains both a subject and verb.
A D.C. begins with a subordinating conjunction (e.g. although, because)

5. Dependent Clause Examples
After we eat
Although it’s cold out
As you’re holding the yoga pose
When I graduate
While I understand where you’re coming from
Until it gets dark
Because of this
Before you go
If we are to come up with a solution
Since we’re here

6. Commas

7. What do commas do?
Separate independent clauses linked by and, but, and other coordinating conjunctions.
Set off most introductory elements, dependent clauses that begin a sentence, and transitional phrases.
Set off nonessential elements.
Separate items in a series.
Separate coordinate adjectives.

8. 1. Separate main clauses linked by and, but, or, and other coordinating conjunctions.
She has in depth talks with her cat, and it is highly disturbing.
She has in depth talks with her cat, but she’s not crazy.
Remember:
The comma goes before the coordinating conjunction.
M.C.
M.C.
M.C.
M.C.
Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, nor, or, for, so, yet

9. 2. Set off most introductory elements and dependent clauses that begin a sentence.
Introductory phrase:
In addition, using an agenda book regularly prevents procrastination.
For the first time, the Academy Awards are fully available online.
Dependent clause that begins a sentence:
If you drink green tea, your health will improve.

10. 3. Set off nonessential elements.
The cat, watching the dog intently, carefully walked away.
TV commercials, sometimes the most entertaining parts of the program, are essentially flashy corporate propaganda.
It does appear, however, to be the best course of action.

11. 4. Separate items in a series
When you go to the store, make sure you buy eggs, milk, and butter.  
I left the pub with my friends Simon, Mary, and Terry.
Oxford Comma

12. 5. Separate Coordinate Adjectives
The soft, cute cat used me as a scratching post.
The small, yippy dog drank a cup of espresso to start his day.
The cold, dark clouds swallowed the moon.

13. Comma Splices

15. Definition
Comma Splice: when a comma separates 2 complete thoughts (2 main clauses).
Result: Fused Sentence (a.k.a. a run-on sentence)

16. 5 Ways to Solve Comma Splices
I love my cat, I pet her every day.
Ways to solve commas splices:
Semicolon + conjunctive adverb: I love my cat; therefore, I pet her every day.
Coordinating conjunction: I love my cat, so I pet her every day.
Subordinating conjunction: Since I love my cat, I pet her every day.
Period: I love my cat. I pet her every day.
Semi-colon: I love my cat; I pet her every day.
M.C.
M.C.
Blackbears are beautiful; they have shiny coats.
Dependent Clause.

17. 1. Solved Comma Splice: Semicolon + Conjunctive Adverb
She didn’t take notes, she did poorly on the test.
She didn’t take notes; therefore, she did poorly on the test.

18. 2. Solved Comma Splice: Coordinating Conjunctions
I love watching movies, I hate watching TV.
I love watching movies, but I hate watching TV.
The ship was built in 1910, it had sailed ever since.
The ship was built in 1910, and it had sailed ever since.

19. 3. Solved Comma Splice: Subordinate Conjunction
Subordinate conjunctions begin subordinate clauses (incomplete thoughts).
Examples: while, since, when, so, because, though, unless, whenever, although
I want my plants to grow, I talk to them every day.
Since I want my plants to grow, I talk to them every day.
When I want my plants to grow, I talk with them every day.

20. 4. Solved Comma Splice: Period
The soft puppy played, he was so cute.
The soft puppy played. He was so cute.

21. 5. Solved Comma Splice: Semicolon
Semicolons: use a semicolon to give a pause between two closely related clauses that are not connected by a coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.
Close the door; it’s very cold outside.
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald left Lake Superior, Wisconsin on the afternoon of November 9, 1975; it would not return.
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Johnson; she always played games with us and read us stories.

22. Practice
I am thinking about growing a beard, I think it will make me look distinguished.
Semi-colon + Conjunctive Adverb
Subordinating Conjunction
Coordinating Conjunction
Period
Semicolon
I am growing a beard; therefore, I look distinguished.
Since I want to look distinguished, I am thinking about growing a beard.
Ask them to first list the three ways to solve it:
I am thinking about growing a beard, so I will look distinguished.
I am thinking about growing a beard. It will make me look distinguished.
I am thinking about growing a beard; it will make me look distinguished.