1. Beyond Simple Sentences

2. Review What is a sentence?  A group of words with a subject, a verb and a complete idea.  We expect to make a profit this year. What is a simple sentence?  A sentence with one subject and one main verb.  All of the employees and their husbands or wives enjoyed the annual dinner at the hotel.

3. What is a compound sentence?  Two simple sentences joined together with a conjunction and a comma.  Profits rose by 78% last year, so the annual dinner was particularly festive this time. What is an independent clause?  A subject, verb and complete idea– it can be a sentence on its own!  Everyone was celebrating.

4. What is a dependent clause?  A group of words with a subject and verb, but not expressing a complete idea.  Because the profits had been so great.  Although it was late.  Until the early hours of the morning.  Whether they wanted to or not.  Even if they’d rather be at home reading the newspaper.  A dependent clause cannot stand on its own!

5. A dependent clause…  Cannot stand on its own because it does not express a complete thought because…  It begins with a subordinating conjunction (because, although, until, whether, etc.) BUT…  It can join an independent clause (simple sentence) to become a…  Complex sentence!

6. Independent clauseDependent clause Everyone was celebrating because the profits had been so great. although it was late. until the early hours of the morning. whether they wanted to or not. even if they’d rather be at home reading the newspaper.

7. In a complex sentence, either the dependent or the independent clause can come first: Even though it was late, everyone was celebrating. Everyone was celebrating even though it was late. [You do not usually need a comma if the independent clause is first.]

8. Subordinating Conjunctions Choose the subordinating conjunction that conveys the meaning you want:  Some people like coffee while/whereas others prefer tea.  contrast  Although/even though/despite the fact that he earns a large salary, he is always badly dressed.  concession, admission

9.  We studied so late for the test that we slept through the exam.  result  We placed our order early so that/in order that we could receive the goods in time for Christmas.  purpose  She was given a promotion because/since/as she was the best person for the job.  reason

10.  The meeting will commence as soon as/when/ whenever/after the chairman arrives.  time, order of events  Unless we make some radical changes to how we live, pollution will continue to be a problem.  condition  You must use English whenever/when you can.  condition, occasion  Wherever/where you go, I will follow.  place

11. … and what’s a compound-complex sentence??  … a sentence with two independent clauses and one (or more) dependent clauses:  The students thought these types of sentences would be difficult because indeed they seemed confusing at first, but they soon found that with practice they could write beautiful long compound-complex sentences!