GRAMMAR: SENTENCE TYPES* A simple sentence has one subject and one verb: • I like to study grammar

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GRAMMAR: SENTENCE TYPES* A simple sentence has one subject and one verb: • I like to study grammar. (I = subject; like to study = verb) A simple sentence is also called an independent clause. An independent clause ends with a period (or semicolon). More examples of simple sentences (independent clauses): • Carol’s sweater is red. • You and Alex need to be quiet. • Ms. Bennett did a cartwheel and a backflip. Compound sentences: When you combine two simple sentences (independent clauses), you create a compound sentence. Compound sentences are often more interesting for your reader than a lot of simple sentences. BUT, there are rules about how you can combine independent clauses! Not knowing these rules leads to run-together sentences: • Alex and I ate dinner, he didn’t tell me his secret. A compound sentence is made up of two or more simple sentences joined by one of the following: • A comma and a coordinator: I like to study grammar, and I love this class. • A semicolon: I like to study grammar; I love this class. • A semicolon and an adverb: I like to study grammar; therefore, I love this class. If the relation between the ideas expressed in the main clauses is very close and obvious without a conjunction, you can separate the independent clauses with a semicolon: • Kelsey has benefited from her writing exercises; she now has good grammar and punctuation. A complex sentence is a simple sentence (independent clause) to which a part of a sentence (dependent clause) has been added: • Because I like to study grammar, I love this class. A dependent clause joined to an independent clause. The dependent clause needs the rest of the sentence for support. Dependent clauses, like babies, cannot stand alone. Stand alone dependent clauses are also called fragments. Since dependent clauses are only part of a sentence, you can never connect them to another sentence with a semicolon. Semicolons are only used between two independent clauses. The sentence combining exercises on the following pages help improve issues with fragments and run-ons. JOINING WORDS: COORDINATORS Using too many short sentences can make your writing sound “choppy.” To avoid choppiness and to show the logical connections between ideas, writers use joining words -- coordinators and subordinators -to combine clauses. Coordinators (FANBOYS) Coordinators show specific relationships: FOR – SHOWS CAUSE I am tired today, for I studied until 4 am for my math exam. AND – SHOWS ADDITION I am tired today, and I don’t think I can stay up late studying again tonight. NOR – SHOWS ADDITION OF NEGATIVES I will not study tonight, nor will I go out dancing. ** Notice that when using “nor,” you switch the position of the subject and verb in the second clause. BUT – SHOWS CONTRAST I studied all night, but I still did not pass my math exam. OR – SHOWS ALTERNATIVES I must study all night, or I will never be able to pass my math exam. YET – SHOWS CONTRAST I studied all night, yet I still did not pass my math exam. SO – SHOWS RESULT I did not wait till the last minute to study for my math exam, so I was able to pass it. Note: When we use a coordinator to join two complete sentences, we normally place a comma between the two sentences and in front of the coordinator. * Thanks to Prof. Brian Malone for sentence types handout. JOINING WORDS: SUBORDINATORS Subordinators also show very specific relationships between the ideas they join: Time: Contrast: Cause/Effect: Condition: Imply: after, as, before, when, whenever, since, until, while, as soon as, once, now that although, though, even though, even if, while, whereas, rather than because, since, as, so that, in order that if, unless, wherever, in case which, as if Subordinators differ from coordinators, though, in that they make the clauses that they are attached to dependent. Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as sentences. Independent Clause: I studied all night for my math exam. (complete sentence) Dependent Clause: Even though I studied all night for my math exam. (fragment) A dependent clause must be joined to an independent clause to make a sentence: Even though I studied all night for my math exam, I did not pass my math exam. Subordinators can join two sentences by coming at the beginning of the two sentences: When I give myself plenty of time to study, I pass my exams. à Notice that the comma comes after the dependent clause and before the independent clause. Subordinators can also join two sentences by being placed between the two sentences: I pass my exams when I give myself plenty of time to study. à Notice that no comma is necessary when the subordinator comes in between the ideas. However, if your sentence is long and complicated, a comma may be needed. TRANSITIONAL ADVERBS: Therefore (cause and effect) However (contrast) Moreover, Furthermore (addition) Finally (time order, result) are all examples of common transitional adverbs. Transitional adverbs can be used to link complete sentences as well, but they are punctuated differently: I was worried about my essay. I went to see a tutor. [The relationship is cause and effect, so I choose: therefore] I was worried about my essay. Therefore, I went to see a tutor. Can you figure out the new punctuation rule? PUNCTUATION RULES FOR JOINING WORDS COORDINATORS: REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE THEY? WHAT’S THE RULE? *BE CAREFUL ABOUT…. SUBORDINATORS: REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ONES? WHAT’S THE RULE? (2 RULES) TRANSITIONAL ADVERBS REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ONES? WHAT’S THE RULE? COORDINATOR & SUBORDINATOR PRACTICE: Combine the following sentences with the most appropriate coordinator and subordinator. When deciding which coordinator and subordinator to use, take into consideration the relationship between the two sentences. Combine the sentences in at least two different ways -- one version with a coordinator, one with a subordinator Let’s do one together: Ex: I stayed up late last night studying. I didn’t pass my mid-term exam. What is the relationship between the two sentences? -- Contrast Revisions: 1) I stayed up late last night studying. I got an A on my mid-term exam. 2) I got an A on my mid-term exam. I formed a study group with two other people in my class. 3) I do not want to fail my mid-term. I do not want to miss the concert tonight. 4) I do not want to fail my mid-term. I should not go to the concert tonight. 5) Most students in the class found the mid-term to be very challenging. I thought it was quite easy. PUNCTUATION RULES FOR JOINING WORDS COORDINATORS: REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE THEY? WHAT’S THE RULE? *BE CAREFUL ABOUT…. SUBORDINATORS: REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ONES? WHAT’S THE RULE? (2 RULES) TRANSITIONAL ADVERBS REVIEW FOR YOURSELF: WHAT ARE SOME COMMON ONES? WHAT’S THE RULE? COORDINATOR & SUBORDINATOR PRACTICE: Combine the following sentences with the most appropriate coordinator and subordinator. When deciding which coordinator and subordinator to use, take into consideration the relationship between the two sentences. Combine the sentences in at least two different ways -- one version with a coordinator, one with a subordinator. Let’s do one together: Ex: I stayed up late last night studying. I didn’t pass my mid-term exam. What is the relationship between the two sentences? -- Contrast Revisions: I stayed up late last night studying, yet I didn’t pass my mid-term exam. Even though I stayed up late last night studying, I didn’t pass my mid-term exam. 1) I stayed up late last night studying. I got an A on my mid-term exam. 2) I got an A on my mid-term exam. I formed a study group with two other people in my class. 3) I do not want to fail my mid-term. I do not want to miss the concert tonight. 4) I do not want to fail my mid-term. I should not go to the concert tonight. 5) Most students in the class found the mid-term to be very challenging. I thought it was quite easy.