Transcript Clause_Punctuation - Multiage Literacy Resources

Punctuation:
Clauses
ENG 141
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Beginning Punctuation
GOALS
 Distinguish between
– Phrases and Clauses
– Main and Subordinate Clauses

Know How to Punctuate Clause
Combinations
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Vocabulary
A Phrase is any group of words
 A Clause is a group of words with a
subject and a verb
 There are two types of clauses:

– Main (also called Independent)
Clauses
– Subordinate (also called Dependent)
Clauses
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Clauses

A Main Clause can stand alone as a
complete sentence
– Example: He went to the movies.

Technical Definition:
 A Main Clause is not introduced by a
subordinating conjunction or a relative
pronoun
• subordinating conjunctions: after, although, because,
until, whereas (some listed on 313 of Keys for
Writers)
• relative pronouns: that, which, who/whom, whose,
whoever/whomever, etc.
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Clauses, cont.

A Subordinate Clause cannot stand
alone
– Example: Before he went to the movies
Technical Definition:
 A subordinate clause is introduced by a
subordinating conjunction or a relative
pronoun

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More Vocabulary

Types of Sentences
– A Simple Sentence has one main
clause and no subordinate clauses.
• The rules of grammar are complex.
– A Compound Sentence has more
than one Main Clause.
• The rules of grammar are complex, and
few people understand them all.
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Types of Sentences, cont,
– A Complex Sentence has one or more
Subordinate Clauses.
• Few people understand grammar because its
rules are complex.
– A Compound-Complex sentence has
more than one Main Clause and at least
one Subordinate Clause
• Because grammar is complex, few people
understand it, and even fewer people enjoy
studying it.
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Principle #1
Every complete sentence must
contain one Main or Independent
Clause
 If a group of words lacks a subject,
finite (conjugated) verb, or main
clause, it is a fragment

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Fragments

Examples of Fragments
• And was a fine film.
– Lacks a subject
• A man going to the movies
– Lacks a finite verb
• Because he decided to go to the movies
– No main clause
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Principle #2

Clauses must be combined in particular
ways with particular punctuation marks
in order to make complete, correct
sentences.
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Compound Sentences

Two main clauses cannot be
combined with only a comma
– This is called a comma splice
– Example: She got her paycheck, she
paid her bills.

Two main clauses cannot be
combined without any punctuation.
– This is called a fused sentence.
– Example: She got her paycheck she
paid her bills.
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Compound Sentences

Two main clauses can be combined
in the following ways:
1) MC, cc MC.
• cc=coordinating conjunction
• complete list: and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so
• Example: She got her paycheck, and she
paid her bills.
• Note that you do not place a comma
before a coordinating conjunction that
separates a compound verb
– She received and cashed her paycheck.
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Compound Sentences, cont.
2) MC; MC.
•
Example: She got her paycheck; she paid her
bills.
3) MC; ca, MC.
•
•
•
ca=conjunctive adverb (sometimes called
transitional expression) (386-7)
some examples: furthermore, therefore,
otherwise, indeed, for example
Example: She got her paycheck;
consequently, she paid her bills.
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Compound Sentences, cont.
4) MC: MC.
•
•
The colon is only a good strategy if the
second main clause explains or clarifies the
first
Example: She can pay her bills now: she
finally got her paycheck.
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Complex Sentences

If the Subordinate Clause comes first,
you will ordinarily use a comma
– SC, MC.
– Even though he woke up with a headache,
he went to all of his classes.

If the Main Clause comes first, no
punctuation is necessary
– MC SC.
– He went to all of his classes even though he
woke up with a headache.
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Summary

The first step in learning proper
punctuation is to learn how to
– distinguish between phrases and clauses
– identify Main and Subordinate Clauses
– know which punctuation marks are
appropriate for which situations

Where to Get More Information
– Keys for Writers
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