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    Independent and Dependent Clauses

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    Sasa Milosevic
    This document provides guidance on connecting independent and dependent clauses in sentences. It defines independent clauses as complete sentences on their own with a subject and verb, and dependent clauses as incomplete ideas that require attachment to an independent clause. The document outlines different ways to combine clauses using coordination with FANBOYS conjunctions and punctuation like commas and semicolons, as well as subordination using transition words and placing commas between clauses if the sentence begins with a dependent clause. Formulas and examples are given to help avoid errors like fragments, splices and run-ons.

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    Independent and Dependent Clauses

    Uploaded by

    Sasa Milosevic
    136 views2 pages
    This document provides guidance on connecting independent and dependent clauses in sentences. It defines independent clauses as complete sentences on their own with a subject and verb, and dependent clauses as incomplete ideas that require attachment to an independent clause. The document outlines different ways to combine clauses using coordination with FANBOYS conjunctions and punctuation like commas and semicolons, as well as subordination using transition words and placing commas between clauses if the sentence begins with a dependent clause. Formulas and examples are given to help avoid errors like fragments, splices and run-ons.

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    This document provides guidance on connecting independent and dependent clauses in sentences. It defines independent clauses as complete sentences on their own with a subject and verb, and dependent clauses as incomplete ideas that require attachment to an independent clause. The document outlines different ways to combine clauses using coordination with FANBOYS conjunctions and punctuation like commas and semicolons, as well as subordination using transition words and placing commas between clauses if the sentence begins with a dependent clause. Formulas and examples are given to help avoid errors like fragments, splices and run-ons.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    136 views2 pages

    Independent and Dependent Clauses

    Uploaded by

    Sasa Milosevic
    This document provides guidance on connecting independent and dependent clauses in sentences. It defines independent clauses as complete sentences on their own with a subject and verb, and dependent clauses as incomplete ideas that require attachment to an independent clause. The document outlines different ways to combine clauses using coordination with FANBOYS conjunctions and punctuation like commas and semicolons, as well as subordination using transition words and placing commas between clauses if the sentence begins with a dependent clause. Formulas and examples are given to help avoid errors like fragments, splices and run-ons.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    of 2

    CLRC Writing Center

    Connecting Independent and Dependent Clauses


    As a writer, its important to clearly structure your main ideas and supporting information. This handout can help you logically combine ideas in sentences, while avoiding fragments and other grammatical errors. First, its fundamental to be able to distinguish between independent (main) and dependent (subordinate) clauses.

    INDEPENDENT CLAUSE: AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE ALONE.


    All independent clauses have a subject and a verb: Marie ran. s v Some independent clauses also have objects: Marie ran the race. s v obj Some have describing nouns or adjectives in addition to Marie ran the race quickly. the subject and verb: s v obj adv

    DEPENDENT CLAUSE: A DEPENDENT CLAUSE ALSO HAS A SUBJECT AND A VERB,


    LACKS INFORMATION NECESSARY TO CONVEY A COMPLETE IDEA.

    BUT

    This type of clause Noun clause: multiple words that work together as a noun.

    is signaled by when, where, why or how, or a relative pronoun such as that, which, what, who, whom, whose, whatever, whoever, or whichever. a relative pronoun such as that, which, what, who, whom, whose, whatever, whoever, or whichever. a subordinating conjunction such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, that, unless, until, when, where, or while.

    Examples: Whoever passes the test moves to the next level. He wrote many notes about what the speaker reported. It was a beautiful day, which inspired me to take a walk. Here is the nail that popped my tire. San Salvador is the town where she grew up.

    Adjective clause: multiple words that act as an adjective to describe a noun or pronoun. Adverb clause: multiple words that act as an adverb to describe a verb, adjective or another adverb.

    Lucy had no doubt that Sophia could finish her work. After we finished eating, Dad washed the dishes.

    A dependent clause by itself is a sentence fragment and is grammatically incorrect. Notice how the examples of dependent clauses above are not complete ideas alone. Dependent clauses must be attached to an independent clause. We call this subordination. An independent clause can (1) stand alone as a complete sentence, (2) be coordinated with another independent clause, or (3) have a dependent clause subordinated to it.

    Created 4/07

    The following formulas help writers avoid comma splices, sentence fragments and run-ons by correctly coordinating and subordinating independent and dependent clauses:

    COORDINATION: USE A COMMA AND A FANBOYS CONJUNCTION.


    Independent clause, for or and yet nor so but independent clause.

    Raul loves to run with his dog, but the dogs short legs prevent her from running very far.

    COORDINATION: USE A COLON OR A SEMICOLON.


    1) Use a semicolon to distinguish, but connect ideas, or when the second sentence expands on the first in a closely related way. Use a colon to introduce information related to the first clause: ; Independent clause independent clause. : Marys announcement surprised the committee: she had decided to resign.

    2) Use a transition word with a semicolon helps to more specifically connect ideas: consequently however therefore nevertheless furthermore in fact indeed moreover then

    Independent clause;

    , independent clause.

    Some believe the poem has been misinterpreted; however, Ill argue that it has not been.

    SUBORDINATION: USE TRANSITION WORDS TO CONNECT THE IDEAS IN THE FIRST AND
    SECOND CLAUSE.

    Independent clause

    after as (as if) before since until when(ever)

    although because if unless whereas while

    dependent clause.

    Robin knew that she had to finish her homework before going out with her friends.

    SUBORDINATION: WHEN YOU BEGIN A SENTENCE WITH A DEPENDENT CLAUSE THAT


    BEGINS WITH A TRANSTION WORD, PLACE A COMMA BETWEEN THE CLAUSES.

    After As (as if) Before Since Until When(ever)

    Although Because If Unless Whereas While

    dependent clause,

    independent clause.

    Before going out with her friends, Robin knew that she had to finish her homework.

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