Grammar and Style
Learning grammar in context
• All you need is a pencil and one piece
of notebook paper on your desk!
Let’s review clauses…
• A clause has a subject and a predicate!
Noun or pronoun
verb
• You have two types of clauses:
1. Independent
2. Dependent (also called subordinate)
Are these all clauses?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
I took my dog to obedience school
that it runs after squirrels
in the school gym
around the room together
We practiced walking beside each
other.
6. During class my dog seemed happy
and calm
Let’s review clauses…
• What is the difference between the two
clauses?
1. Independent can make sense all by itself
Ex. I ran a mile last week
2. Dependent needs more information to
make sense
Ex. When I ran a mile last week…
Which clauses are dependent
and which are independent?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
my favorite store went out of business
because it was losing money.
the store made many sales
the prices must have been too low.
when the store paid its own bills
there was no money left
An easy way to pick out a
dependent clause is by
looking at the first word of the
clause!
• A dependent clause will always start
with a subordinate conjunction
• The Subordinate Conjunction Song!
After, Although
Because, Before, Since
Unless, Until
When, While
Who, That, As, If
Here is a list of many common
subordinating conjunctions
after
although
as
because
Before
even
even though
if
how
just as
next
now that
since
so that
supposing
than
that
unless
until
what
when
whenever
where
whereas
whether
which
while
who
whoever
why
once
Which clauses are dependent
and which are independent?
Round 2
1. although the store has been closed for
six months
2. I still miss it
3. I had hoped to work at that store
4. when I was old enough for a job
5. if I ever start a store of my own
6. I’ll watch costs carefully.
Now that you know the difference
between the clauses you must
understand
• You can have many clauses that make up
one sentences.
– You can put an independent clause and a
dependent clause together, you can put two
independent clauses together.
– The only thing you can’t do is put two dependent
clauses together and expect to make a
sentence.
Now that you know the difference
between the clauses you must
understand
• Here is something very very important…
– In order to have a correct sentence, you must
include at least one independent clause!
Quick Review
Read the following sentences. Underline independent
clauses once, dependent clauses twice.
1. When she found her iPod, Jenny was relieved.
2. It snowed last night after the sun set.
3. Although it was a cold day, the fire warmed our
limbs.
Let’s talk about questions…
• The friend who is visiting this weekend
is Melody.
Independent or Dependent
Clause?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
When I was going home
I found a new skateboard
It was a great day
I leapt for joy
After I got home
I stared into space
No CRCT Warm-Up today
• All you need on your desk is…
– 1 pencil
– 1 piece of notebook paper
– HW from last night
(You have a quiz as soon as class begins!)
A Simple Sentence Is
• A simple sentence is made up of
one independent clause.
Simple Sentence = 1 independent clause
• You must remember a simple sentence can be
a short sentence or a really long sentence. It is
all about how many clauses are involved not
the length of the sentence.
All of these are simple sentences
1. Joe waited.
2. Sally waited for the train too.
3. The train was late.
4. Mary and Samantha took the bus.
5. I looked for Mary and Samantha at the bus station.
6. Mary and Samantha arrived at the bus station before
noon and left on the bus before I arrived.
A Complex Sentence Is
• A complex sentence is made up of one independent
clause and one or more dependent clauses
• If you find a subordinate conjunction at the beginning
of a dependent clause than your sentence is complex
Complex Sentence = 1 or more dependent clauses + 1 independent clause
• It does not matter what order the clauses are in. You
could have a dependent clause at the beginning, in
the middle, or at the end of the complex sentence.
Complex Sentence Examples: Underline the
dependent clauses and circle the independent
clause in each complex sentence
1. I cleaned up the mess that you made.
2. The car, which had run smoothly all day, suddenly
stopped.
3. While I was watching the parade, someone stole
my wallet.
4. When Jacqueline was late for work the angry boss
told her that she would dock her pay from now on
Complex Sentence Punctuation
• Tip: When the dependent clause comes first, a
comma should be used to separate the two
clauses.
,
EX.) Although the desert has a harsh climate many creatures live
there.
• Tip: When the independent clause comes first,
a comma should not be used to separate the
two clauses.
EX.) I showed the class some slides that I took at camp.
Is it simple or is it complex?
1. I could watch television after I do my chores.
2. I could play on the computer after my nap.
3. The ancient Egyptians built pyramids for their pharaohs.
4. When Pericles ruled Athens, it was one for the greatest citystates in Greece.
5. John Adams and his son were both elected President.
6. In tomorrow’s game, George will pitch.
Do you remember your
FANBOYS?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
All of these words are coordinating conjunctions
A Compound Sentence Is
• A compound sentence has two independent
clauses in one sentence.
Compound Sentence = 1 independent clause + 1 independent clause
What is included in a compound
sentence?
• In order to join the two independent clauses
together, to make a compound sentence, you must
put a coordinating conjunction between the
clauses or you could use a semi-colon
a comma FANBOY connects the clauses together
Compound Sentence = 1 independent clause + 1 independent clause
a semi-colon (;) connects the clauses together
Ex.) I love to swim, but the water is freezing!
Ex.) I love to swim; the water is freezing!
Circle the comma coordinating conjunction or the
semi-colon that “glues” the independent clauses
together in these compound sentences.
1. I am learning Chinese painting, and last Friday I
learned to paint a sparrow.
2. The supplies are inexpensive, so I think this is a good
hobby for me.
3. Assistance dogs offer disabled people
companionship; they also play a more important role.
4. Many breeds become assistance dogs, but a few
seem particularly well suited to the role.
Let’s Practice It
Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex? Underline
independent clauses once, dependent clauses twice, and circle
any conjunctions.
1.
He does it only because he finds it easy.
2.
My cold grew worse, and I decided to call the doctor.
3.
I like chocolate and bananas.
4.
Am I going crazy, or do I just need a good night's sleep?
5.
Since I was a kid, I have loved soccer.
6.
It was a great day for running in the park.
7.
I found my friend, who was an astronaut.
What is a compound-complex
sentence?
• A compound-complex sentence has two
independent clauses and at least one
dependent clause.
Compound-Complex Sentence = 1 independent clause + 1 independent clause + 1 dependent clause.
Compound-complex sentences
Circle ALL of the conjunctions, coordinating and subordinating.
Underline the independent clauses once
Underline the dependent clauses twice.
1. John went to school, but James remained at home because he had a sore
throat.
2. If he changes his mind, we shall know for sure that Joe has learned his
lesson, but only time will tell.
3. Those clouds promise rain; we should hurry before we get caught in a flash
flood.
4. Here is the money that I owe you, and I am happy to be free of debt.
5. Were you ever in a storm that was full of lightning, or don't you recall?
• http://www8.esc.edu/htmlpages/writerol
d/pandg/exg10b.shtml
• http://www.internet4classrooms.com/gra
de_level_help/language_sentence_type
s_language_arts_eighth_8th_grade.htm
• http://mrshatzi.com/files/sentences-ws1.pdf
• http://www.northwood.org.uk/complex%
20sentences.htm