CLAUSESa. A group of words that contains a subject and a verbb. Jolly old men who deliver toys

Get it?

Let’s Review

Independent Clauses …Have a subject and a verbConvey a complete ideaCan be a stand along sentenceREMEMBER: Every sentence must have at

least one main clause. Otherwise, you have a fragment, a major error.

EXAMPLES of Independent Clauses

Here are some examples: Lazy students whine.

Students = subject; whine = verb. Cola spilled over the glass and splashed

onto the counter.

Cola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs. My dog loves pizza crusts.

Dog = subject; loves = verb.

Get it?

REVIEW CONTINUED:

I don’t get this one either, but I thought it was funny.

Subordinate Clauses…Include a subject and verbDo not contain a complete

thoughtCannot stand alone as a

sentences

Examples of Subordinate Clauses

Whenever lazy students whinestudents = subject; whine = verb.

As cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the countercola = subject; spilled, splashed = verbs.

Because my dog loves pizza crustsdog = subject; loves = verb.

PHRASES

Phrases are groups of words that do not contain both a verb and its subject.

For example:On the tugboat (does not contain

subject or verb)Have been laughing (does not

contain a subject)

NOW PRACTICE

The groups of words on the next page will either be

Complete Sentence (an independent clause that conveys a complete idea)

Subordinate Clause (contains a verb and its subject, but does not convey a complete idea)

Phrase (does not contain a verb and its subject, and therefore it does not convey a complete idea at all)

Sentence, Clause, or Phrase?

DIRECTIONS: Without worrying about punctuation, write the blue letter to indicate the type of word group for each number. You DO need to write down the questions. Be ready to explain why!

1. we memorized the lyrics2. by the back porch3. if no one is coming4. after last year’s flood5. the singer wore a yellow silk scarf6 .when the lights were flickering

Sentence, Clause, or Phrase?

1. we memorized the lyrics S

2. by the back porch P3. if no one is coming C4. after last year’s flood P5. the singer wore a yellow silk scarf S6 .when the lights were flickering C

Combine them to make it work.

A subordinate clause MUST be attached to an independent clause in order to construct a complete sentence.

It might go BEFORE or AFTER the independent clause.

Example: Because it is difficult, students often

dislike grammar.

EXPLANATION: This sentence combines a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (Because it is difficult) with an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (students often dislike grammar). Students is the subject of the sentence. Dislike is the verb. Because it is difficult tells us WHY they don’t like it.

Example: Students need to work hard to understand grammar

because it isn’t always intuitive.

EXPLANATION: In this sentence, the SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (because it isn’t always intuitive) comes after the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE (Students need to work hard to understand grammar). Students is the subject of the sentence. Need is the verb. Because it isn’t always intuitive us WHY they need to work hard on it.

TRY IT.DIRECTIONS: Copy each sentence down.

Underline the SUBORDINATE CLAUSE. Circle the INDEPENDENT CLAUSE

Whenever lazy students whine, Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

Anthony ran for the paper towels as cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.

Because my dog loves pizza crusts, he never barks at the deliveryman.

AnswersThe SUBORDINATE CLAUSE is underlined.

The INDEPENDENT CLAUSE is bolded.

Whenever lazy students whine, Mrs. Russell throws chalk erasers at their heads.

Anthony ran for the paper towels as cola spilled over the glass and splashed onto the counter.

Because my dog loves pizza crusts, he never barks at the deliveryman.

More PracticeYou have a worksheet to complete by tomorrow.

Your vocab is also due tomorrow.

There are Post-It Notes on Ms. Keasling’s desk. If you have a question, grab a Post-It, write down the question you have, stick it on the poster for your hour on the board, and we’ll talk about them tomorrow.

Now get to work!