Coordinate andCoordinate andSubordinate ClausesSubordinate Clauses

Traditional Grammar and Traditional Grammar and Standard UsageStandard Usage

Objectives of This Unit

• Understand different ways to connect clauses.

• Learn proper ways to coordinate and subordinate clauses and to use punctuation accordingly.

• Identify instances of fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences and then correct them properly.

What is a clause?

• A group of words containing a subject and a predicate

• Subject = NP or Pronoun

• Predicate = VP including a tensed/finite verb

How many clauses does each sentence have?

(Identify all the subjects and verbs)

1. The cat ran away.

2. I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.

3. This is the box that he made yesterday.

4. I have painted the house, but I still need to sand the floors.

5. The small fluffy kitten with a ribbon around its neck did enormous damage to the sofa in our living room.

6. During a surprise campaign stop at a field office in Chicago, President Obama congratulated Mitt Romney on a hard-fought campaign.

How many clauses does each sentence have?

(Identify all the subjects and verbs)

1. The cat ran away.

2. I wonder if it will rain tomorrow.

3. This is the box that he made yesterday.

4. I have painted the house, but I still need to sand the floors.

5. The cute kitten with a ribbon around its neck did enormous damage to the sofa in our living room.

6. During a surprise campaign stop at a field office in Chicago, President Obama congratulated Mitt Romney on a hard-fought campaign.

Types of Clauses and Sentences

1. Clauses:

-independent (=main) clause (IC)

-dependent (=subordinate) clause (DC) – includes

subordinating conjunction

2. Sentences: (cc – coordinating conjunction)

-simple – IC

-compound – IC + CC + IC (+…)

-complex – IC + DC (+…)

-compound-complex – IC + cc + IC (+…) + DC (+…)

Schematic Organization of Sentences

, CC

,

IC IC

DC IC

IC DC

IC DC

IC DC

IC

Simple Sentences (1 IC)

1. The singer sang songs by the Beatles.

2. The singer and her band performed songs by the Beatles.

3. The singer and her band performed songs by the Beatles and other groups.

A simple sentence contains one independent clause

(i.e. one subject-predicate combination)

Punctuation in Simple Sentences

Capitalize first letter. Period at end of sentence. Commas in lists

Generally speaking, commas can be used in four

different ways: introducers, coordinators, inserters, and tags.

Semicolons in lists – between items in a series if the items already contain commas

Suncom Corporation has subsidiaries in four cities: New York, New York; Wilmington, Ohio; Houston, Texas; and San Francisco, California.

Punctuation inSimple Sentences

Commas to separate introductory elements

1. In the morning, I’ll be sober.

2. Carefully and silently, the burglar climbed up to the open window.

Compound Sentences (2 or more ICs connected by CCs)

The cat pounced, but the rat escaped.

S

CC

S

VPNP

Vdet N

S

VPNP

Vdet N

Compound Sentences

1. New York didn’t get to the World Series in 2004, but they got there in 2003.

2. I love sushi, and my wife does too.

3. It was Halloween, so we dressed up.

Compound Sentences (2 or more ICs connected by CCs)

Compound sentences contain two or more independent clauses but no dependent clauses

Coordinating Conjunctions (FANBOYS)

for (offers reason)

and (links two facts)

nor (and not)

but (shows contrast)

or (creates disjunction)

yet (shows contrast)

so (offers result)

Punctuation in Compound Sentences

Capitalize first letter. Period at end of sentence. Comma between clauses

1. They hated each other, but they met anyway.

2. They hated each other, but they met anyway, and they didn’t argue.

Other Ways of Joining Independent Clauses (=Other Types of Compound Sentences)

1. Use a colon (IC: IC)where the second independent clause summarizes or explains the first.

a) My teacher was right: grammar is fun.

2. Use a semi-colon (IC; IC)where the independent clauses are related

a) Grammar is relatively easy to understand; the problem is remembering all the terms.

Note: A comma alone cannot join independent clauses.

Other Ways of Joining Independent Clauses (=Other Types of Compound Sentences)

3. Use a semi-colon (IC; adverb/phrase, IC)between independent clauses with a sentence adverb or a transitional phrase

a) Fall is a particularly beautiful time of the year; however, raking up leaves can seem like an endless task.

b) A good lawn takes a long time to grow; in fact, some of the best lawns in the world have been carefully tended for centuries.

1. Fall is a particularly beautiful time of the year. However, raking up leaves can seem like an endless task.

2. A good lawn takes a long time to grow. In fact, some of the best lawns in the world have been carefully tended for centuries.

Fragments

• A group of words used with a period– With no subject and verb– With no subject– With no verb (including a tensed/finite verb)– Dependent clause only

(This will be reviewed again later.)

Comma Splices

• A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are connected with only a comma.

Incorrect: I am tired, I will take a nap later.

Correct: I am tired. I will take a nap later.

I am tired, so I will take a nap later.

Since I am tired, I will take a nap later.

I am tired; I will take a nap later.

Run-on Sentences

• a sentence containing two or more clauses not connected by the correct conjunction or punctuation

Incorrect: We should get moving there’s no time to waste.

Correct: We should get moving. There’s no time to waste.

We should get moving; there’s no time to waste.

We should get moving since there’s no time to waste.

There’s no time to waste, so we should get moving.

Complex Sentences = 1 IC + 1 DC (more DCs)

S

VPNP

The cat pounced when it saw the rat.SC

DC

V

VP

Prodet N det N

NPV

Complex Sentences(connected by subordinating conjunctions)

Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one subordinate

(=dependent) clause.

Subordinate/Dependent clause = clause that contains a subordinating conjunction

Types ofSubordinate Clause

1. Relative clause (Adjective clause)The doctors helped the man who the maniac punched.

2. Noun clauseSue thinks that she has learned enough for one day.

3. Adverbial clauseThe burglar broke into the house while Joe was sleeping.

Adverbial Clausesa) Before you leave town, you should

see the governator’s mansion.

b) Because he loves action movies, Bob is a big fan of the governator.

c) Although I have never seen an alien, I am sure they all drip goo.

Why are these clauses like adverbs? Give us info about main verb:

time, place, manner, reason, condition

Subordinating Conjunctions

Show contrast

Although

Even though

While

Whereas

Show cause & effect

Because

Since

If

Show time relations

After Before

WhileWhen

As

Punctuation with Adverbial Clauses

Depends on the position of the adverbial clause:

1. When the bell rings, the class will end. Adv CL, IC (comma separates clauses)

2. The class will end when the bell rings.IC AdvCL (no comma)