Clauses

Sentence Structure Lesson

What is a Clause?
A subject and predicate working together

I am.
Reading is fun.
I study hard so I get good grades.
What is a phrase?
A group of words related to the subject
or predicate.

Hiding under the table, the dog knew he
was bad.

Warren, the worlds best Yu-Gi-Oh player,
arranged a duel.
Conjunctions
Join words, clauses, and phrases.

Examples

Rob and I went to the movies.
She is good at singing and great at dancing.
We ordered pizza but we couldnt pay for it.

Coordinating Conjunctions
F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.
For
And
Nor
But
Or
Yet
So
Subordinating Conjunctions
Most common subordinators
After Now that When
Although Once Whenever
As Since Where
Because That Wherever
Before Though While
Even if Unless
If Until
Dependent Clauses
Cannot stand by themselves.
Do not express a complete thought.
Subject + Predicate + Subordinator

Examples
Unless you want to go.
Because I care.
Before you lose your cool.

Independent Clause
Can stand by itself or with a dependent.
Expresses a complete thought.
Subject + Predicate

Examples
I ran.
Fractions are fun.
Pizza tastes good.

Run-On Sentence
Joining two independent clauses.

Examples

I got home, mom yelled at me.
Pizza tastes good cookies taste better.
Get your work in the quarter is almost over.
Joining Clauses
1. Use a subordinating conjunction.
2. Use a coordinating conjunction.

Examples
Wrong: I got home, mom yelled at me.
Right: When I got home, mom yelled at me.

Wrong: Pizza tastes good cookies taste better.
Right: Pizza tastes good but cookies taste better.
Practice
Combine the sentences using conjunctions.

You may remove or add words
You may change verb tenses
Do not change the meaning
Do not remove information
1
Bob went to school
Bob forgot to bring his home work
Bob had a bad day
2
Jennas favorite rapper is Lil Wayne.
I like the Ghostface Killah.
I am old school.
3
Surfing can be dangerous.
Sitting on the beach is safe.
Im not going out into the ocean.