3.4 Independent and Subordinate Clauses

1. 3.4 Independent and Subordinate Clauses • Clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb • Independent clause (main clause)- expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as sentence Example: S V I recently visited Boston, Massachusetts.

2. A subordinate (or dependent) clause CANNOT stand by itself as a complete sentence. • It must be attached to an independent clause in order for it to make sense • If not, it is a sentence fragment Example: S V While we were there, we went to a Boston Red Sox game. Subordinate clause before the independent clause.

3. S V I ate a lot of clam chowder, which is a Boston specialty. Independent clause then a subordinate clause S V Many buildings that we saw on the bus tour were built before the Revolutionary War. Subordinate clause in the middle of an independent clause S V After we walked around the Boston Common, we visited S V the New England Aquarium, which first opened in 1969. Two subordinate clauses, before and after an independent clause

4. 3.5 Varying Sentence Structure Simple sentence- has only one independent clause and NO subordinate clauses -Simple sentences are not always short -There may be compound subjects and verbs, prepositional phrases to make them long and complicated

5. One subject and one verb Compound subject and compound verb Several prepositional phrases Wateris important. All plants and animalsneed a surprising amount of water and depend on it to stay healthy. In recent years and in countries throughout the world, chemicals from factories have been dumped into lakes and rivers. Examples of Simple Sentences

6. Compound Sentence has two or more independent clauses, and NO subordinate clauses. • In most compound sentences, the independent clauses are joined by a comma and a coordinating conjunctions or a semicolon (;) • Coordinating conjunctions: and, but, or, not, so, for, yet

7. Two independent clauses Two independent clauses Three independent clauses Last year we learned a lot about air pollution, but we hardly studied water pollution. Baths usually require a lot of water; you may need more than forty gallons to fill a tub. To save water, my brothers and I take shorter showers, we use low-flow showerheads, and we often wash dished by hand. Examples of Compound Sentences

8. Complex sentences contain one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause. • The subordinate clause may go before, after, or in the middle of a sentence

9. One beginning subordinate clause Two subordinate clauses at the end One subordinate clause in the middle If people make an effort, they can find ways to conserve water. Polluted water may kill fish and other animals unless we can clean up lakes, rivers, andoceanswhere pollution occurs. Students in our school who are interested in the environment should talk to talk to the principal about forming a club. Examples of complex sentences