independent and dependent clause grammar_1.ppt

Independent

1. HOW DO THEY WORK TOGETHER?
Independent and Dependent
Clauses

2. Independent and Dependent Clauses
Independent Clause-a complete thought that can
stand on its own. It does NOT depend on another
group of words to make sense. It makes sense on its
own.
Dependent Clause-begins with a subordinating
conjunction or “signal word” such as while,
whenever, although, because, etc. It DEPENDS on
an independent clause to form a complete thought.

3. Independent Clauses
My mother and I drove to Jacksonville yesterday
because we wanted to go shopping.
“My mother and I drove to Jacksonville yesterday” is
an independent clause. It makes perfect sense by
itself.

4. Dependent Clauses
My mother and I drove to Jacksonville yesterday
because we wanted to go shopping.
“Because we wanted to go shopping” is a dependent
clause. It depends on the independent clause to
make sense. If there is no independent clause
attached to it, we would refer to it as a fragment.

5. Signal Words: Dependent Clauses
There are several words that usually signal the start
of a dependent clause, such as:
Because, although, while, when, whenever, until,
where, wherever, though, even if, which, before,
whether, if. (There are more, but these are some of
the most common.)

6. Can you spot the dependent clause?
Although she is not a fan of broccoli, Mary loves
asparagus and other vegetables.
Whenever she is feeling blue, Clarice likes to listen to
music.

7. Answers:
Although she is not a fan of broccoli, Mary loves
asparagus and other vegetables.
Whenever she is feeling blue, Clarice likes to listen to
music.

8. Can you spot the dependent clause?
Devon drove his girlfriend Lisa to the movies
yesterday because she has been wanting to see the
latest Brad Pitt movie.
I exercised on my new treadmill while watching
television.

9. The Answers:
Devon drove his girlfriend Lisa to the movies
yesterday because she has been wanting to see the
latest Brad Pitt movie.
I exercised on my new treadmill while watching
television.

10. Simple and Compound sentences:
When a sentence contains one independent clause
and NOTHING ELSE, it is called a simple sentence.
Example:
Mary rode her bike to the park.
When a sentence contains two independent clauses,
it is called a compound sentence. Example:
Mary rode her bike to the park, and she listened to
the band play.

11. Take Notice:
The two independent clauses were joined together by
a comma and a conjunction. If we left off the
conjunction, it would be a run-0n sentence!
Correct:Mary rode her bike to the park, and she
listened to the band play.
Incorrect:Mary rode her bike to the park,she
listened to the band play.

12. Semi colons:
Only semi-colons can take the place of a comma and
a conjunctions when bridging two independent
clauses together.
Also correct: Mary rode her bike to the park; she
listened to the band play.