Clauses
Sentence Structure Lesson
What is a Clause?
A subject and predicate working together
I am.
Reading is fun.
I study hard so I get good grades.
What is a phrase?
A group of words related to the subject
or predicate.
Hiding under the table, the dog knew he
was bad.
Warren, the world’s best Yu-Gi-Oh player,
arranged a duel.
Conjunctions
Join words, clauses, and phrases.
Examples
Rob and I went to the movies.
She is good at singing and great at dancing.
We ordered pizza but we couldn’t pay for it.
Coordinating Conjunctions
F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Subordinating Conjunctions
Most common subordinators
After
Although
As
Because
Before
Even if
If
Now that
Once
Since
That
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
While
Dependent Clauses
Cannot stand by themselves.
Do not express a complete thought.
Subject + Predicate + Subordinator
Examples
Unless you want to go.
Because I care.
Before you lose your cool.
Independent Clause
Can stand by itself or with a dependent.
Expresses a complete thought.
Subject + Predicate
Examples
I ran.
Fractions are fun.
Pizza tastes good.
Run-On Sentence
Joining two independent clauses.
Examples
I got home, mom yelled at me.
Pizza tastes good cookies taste better.
Get your work in the quarter is almost over.
Joining Clauses
1. Use a subordinating conjunction.
2. Use a coordinating conjunction.
Examples
Wrong: I got home, mom yelled at me.
Right: When I got home, mom yelled at me.
Wrong: Pizza tastes good cookies taste better.
Right: Pizza tastes good but cookies taste better.
Practice
Combine the sentences using conjunctions.
You may remove or add words
You may change verb tenses
Do not change the meaning
Do not remove information
1
Bob went to school
Bob forgot to bring his home work
Bob had a bad day
2
Jenna’s favorite rapper is Lil’ Wayne.
I like the Ghostface Killah.
I am old school.
3
Surfing can be dangerous.
Sitting on the beach is safe.
I’m not going out into the ocean.