Transcript Clauses
Independent Clauses Compound Sentences Comma splices The Clause Definition: A clause is a group of words containing at least a subject and a verb (the baby ate), and frequently it gets fancy by containing some kind of a complement as well (the baby ate the goldfish). There are two kinds of clauses: independent and dependent. The Independent Clause The independent clause is a clause which can stand alone and still make sense I shall haunt you until your doom! The Independent Clause Independent clauses express a complete thought and contain not only a subject and a verb, but also a predicate. Basically, An independent clause is a simple sentence… Example Mr. Pardue defeated the dragon. This sentence is a complete thought Subject = Mr. Pardue Verb = Defeated Predicate = The Dragon …What if I wanted to smash two independent clauses together? Easily done Just make sure to slap a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon between them. Do that and you end up with a compound sentence. Ok, Wait… What’s a coordinating conjunction? coordinating conjunctions include and, but, or, nor, neither, yet, for, or, and so. The coordinating conjunction does not belong in either clause, but merely joins them together. Put a comma before the coordinating conjunction How do I use a semicolon? In this case, you can substitute a coordinating conjunction with a semicolon What’s a compound sentence Basically, a compound sentence is two independent clauses joined together by a coordinating conjunction or a semicolon. Examples Mr. Pardue defeated the dragon, and the villagers cheered. Mr. Pardue defeated the dragon is an independent clause. The villagers cheered is an independent clause Both clauses are joined with the coordinating conjunction and. Examples I shall haunt you till your dying day; I shall haunt your friends and relations after that. I shall haunt you till your dying day is an independent clause. I shall haunt your friends and relations after that is an independent clause Both clauses are joined with a semicolon DANGER!!! What happens if I just use a comma instead of a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction? Do that, and you end up with a Comma splice! ○ Fact: comma splices are the purest form of grammar evil ○ Fact: comma splices are very easy to correct Comma Splices If you try to join two independent clauses with a comma, your reader will regard you with horror as the perpetrator of a comma splice. Don't do it! When you see a comma splice take out the comma and use a semicolon or a coordinating conjunction instead. ○ Simple as that!