1. Introductory Clauses
Combining Sentences

2. What is an Introductory Clause?
A phrase that comes at the beginning of the sentence to provide background about when/where/how/why/to what degree something happens.

3. Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses
Clue 1: There will be a comma after the introductory clause Clue 2: If you take out the introductory clause, the sentence should still make sense See examples on next slides…

4. Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses
Clue 1: There will be a comma after the introductory clause Example: While at the zoo, Samantha saw her first giraffe.

5. Clues to Help You Identify Introductory Clauses
Clue 2: If you take out the introductory clause, the sentence should still make sense Example: While at the zoo, Samantha saw her first giraffe.

6. Let’s Practice IdentifyingV
As he walked down the cellar stairs, Joe felt a shiver down his spine. Because she felt lonely, Sue cried in her room. Repeating it for the third time, the teacher asked the students to sit down. After a long night of homework, Jill rewarded herself by watching her favorite TV show. S V S V S V

7. Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences
Megan rushed to help the victims. She had witnessed the auto accident only moments before. COMBINED:
Moments after witnessing the auto accident, Megan rushed to help the victims.

8. Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences
The salesperson glared at Sandra. He was tapping his foot. COMBINED:
While tapping his foot, the salesperson glared at Sandra.

9. Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences
Sally reached into her purse. She was looking for her sunglasses. COMBINED:
Looking for her sunglasses, Sally reached into her purse.

10. Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences
Iowa is known as the Corn State. It is one of the leading producers of corn in the United States. COMBINED:
Being one of the leading producers of corn in the United States, Iowa is known as the Corn State.

11. Using Introductory Clauses to Combine Sentences – WACTH OUT!!!
What’s wrong with this sentence? To survive in this heat, you must water outdoor plants daily. How do you fix it?
To survive in this heat, outdoor plants must be watered daily.

12. Practice
Write a sentence for each: After… Before… During… Because she… Despite being… ***IDENTIFY THE SUBJECT & VERB IN EACH***