Unit 2

1. Unit 2 Sentences: Lessons 23-28

2. Complex and Compound Sentences • A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and one or more subordinate clauses. • EXAMPLE: When the announcement was made, he went to the office. (subordinate clause) (independent clause) • A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses. Each independent clause in a compound sentence can stand alone as a seperate sentence. Independent clauses are usually joined by such words as and, but, so, or, for, or yet. • EXAMPLE: My sister is athletic, and my brother is musical.

3. Combining Sentences • Using a variety of sentence types helps to create variety for the reader. You can combine related simple sentences to create complex or compound sentences. • EXAMPLE: My mother’s family lives in France. My father’s family lives in Italy. (two simple sentences) • Complex sentence: My mother’s family lives in France, while my father’s family lives in Italy. • Compound Sentence: My mother’s family lives in France, and my father’s family lives in Italy.

4. Expanding Sentences • Sentences can be expanded by adding details to make them clearer and more interesting. • EXAMPLE: The horse galloped. The wild grey horse galloped around the field, nostrils flaring. • Details added to sentences may answer these questions: When?Where? How? How often? To what degree? What kind? Which? How many?

5. {Activity} Decide which of the following sentences can be expanded. • The athlete ran into the arena. • The kids ate. • The bird began to sing. • The audience cheered.

6. Sentence Fragments • A sentence fragment is a phrase of clause that might look like a sentence, but does not express a complete thought. The fragment might be missing an important element of sentences, such as a verb or subject. • EXAMPLE: • Fragment: Just before eating. • Corrected Fragment: Just before eating, he phoned his girlfriend.

7. {Activity} Identify the sentence fragments in the following paragraph. Then, rewrite the paragraph using complete sentences. Fall. My favourite season of the year. In fall I can do a lot of my favourite things. Hike, play touch football, watch the baseball playoffs. During fall in Gander, there are special events. Fall fairs, cross-country runs, barn dances. Just drive in the country. You’ll see a panorama of colours. Reds, brown, oranges, brilliant yellows. Reflecting off the water. What a sight.

8. Run-On Sentences • A run-on sentence has two or more complete thoughts, or independent clauses, which run together without correct punctuation. • EXAMPLE: We have only a day until the big dance I don’t have my dress dry-cleaned yet. That will take at least a day. • Another way to correct a run-on sentence is to re-write the sentence using punctuation. It may be necessary to use a subordinate clause. • EXAMPLE: While we only have a day for the big dance, I don’t have my dress dry-cleaned yet, and that will take at least a day.

9. {Activity} Correct the following run-on sentences. • Justine plays hockey she plays for a team that tours Canada. • The rock star cancelled his performance it was the second time in two weeks. • City lots are too expensive for most people the cost in discouraging. • It’s too early to get up let me sleep longer.

10. Comma Splice Errors • A comma splice error occurs when two closely related but independent sentences are joined by a comma. • EXAMPLE: The house stood empty for months, no one would buy it. • There are various ways to correct comma slice errors. • You can create two seperate sentences. • EXAMPLE: The house stood empty for months. No one would buy it. • You can turn the sentence into a compound sentence. • EXAMPLE: The house stood empty for months, and no one would buy it. • You can use a semi-colon to join the two sentences. • EXAMPLE: The house stood empty for months; no one would buy it.