2. Independent vs. Dependent
The words that confused most of us in grade school…….
What is an Independent Clause?
An independent clause, which is another name for “main clause,” has a subject and verb, and it
expresses a complete thought. Therefore, an independent clause can stand alone as a full
sentence.
Example: Many tourists enjoy the mild winters in southern California.
subject verb complete thought
What is a Dependent Clause?
A dependent clause has a subject and verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
Therefore, a dependent clause cannot stand alone as a full sentence.
Example: Although many tourists enjoy the mild winters in southern California.
subject verb object (NOT a complete thought)
Notice that the word “although” makes this clause incomplete. Although many tourists enjoy
the mild winters…what?
3. Complete Sentences
A complete sentence has a subject
and a predicate that work together to
make a complete thought.
Bobby smiled until he
thought his face
would crack.
4. Sentence Fragments
A SENTENCE FRAGMENT fails to be
a sentence in the sense that it cannot
stand by itself.
5. Sentence Fragments
may locate something in time
and place, but lack a subject-
verb relationship.
Last Saturday after the
ballgame at the ice cream
shop.
6. Sentence Fragments
may describe something, but
have no subject-verb
relationship.
Shooting just before the
buzzer rang and hoping to
score the winning point.
7. Sentence Fragments
may have most of the makings of
a sentence but still be missing an
important part of a verb string.
Some of the girls going
together to the mall.
8. Sentence Fragments
may have a subject-verb
relationship, but cannot stand
by itself.
Even though she was
the prettiest girl and
had a great talent
presentation.
9. Run-On Sentences
A RUN-ON SENTENCE
(sometimes called a fused
sentence) has at least two parts,
either one of which can stand by
itself, but the two parts have
been connected together with
one or two words instead of
becoming two sentences. The
run-on could be corrected with a
semi-colon.
10. Run-On Sentences
Remember: The length of a
sentence really has nothing to do with
whether a sentence is a run-on or
not; even a very short sentence could
be a run-on.
The books are heavy don’t carry them.
The books are heavy. Don’t carry them.
11. Run-On Sentences
When two clauses are connected
by only a comma, they are a run-
on sentence that is called a
comma-splice.
The books are heavy,
don’t carry them.
12. Run-On Sentences happen
when an independent clause
gives an order or directive based
on what was said in the prior
independent clause.
The game is going to
be very close you have
to play your best.
13. Run-On Sentences happen
when two clauses are connected
by words such as however,
moreover, nevertheless.
Mother packed my
lunch today however
she forgot to put in
my desert.
15. A Compound Sentence
contains two independent clauses
joined by a coordinator. The
coordinators are as follows: for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
(Helpful hint: The first letter of
each of the coordinators spells
FANBOYS.)
16. Three ways to fix a fragment..
Three Ways to Fix a Fragment
1. Attach the fragment to a nearby complete
sentence.
Sometimes a fragment occurs because it’s a leftover of
from a previous sentence or it’s an abandoned clause meant
to introduce the following sentence.
Incorrect: I forgot to eat breakfast. On the morning of
my driver’s test.
Correct: I forgot to eat breakfast on the morning of my
driver’s test.
Incorrect: If the front door is locked. Use the back
entrance.
Correct: If the front door is locked, use the back entrance.
17. Three ways to fix a fragment..
2. Revise the fragment by adding whatever is missing –
subject, verb, complete thought.
Incorrect: Loves to lie around in the sun all day. (Subject is
missing. Who loves to lie around?)
Correct: My roommate’s pug loves to lie around in the sun all
day.
Incorrect: Joe to train everyday. (Verb is missing. Also, “to
train” is the wrong verb form.)
Correct: Joe trains everyday for the marathon next month.
Correct: Joe is training everyday for the marathon next
month.
18. Three ways to fix a fragment…
3. Rewrite the fragment or the entire passage that contains the
fragment.
Incorrect: Our new landlord was expected to make changes. Such as
fixing the plumbing,
installing a new washer, and replacing the security gate. Has not done
any of it yet and weeks have passed.
Correct: Our new landlord was expected to make changes, such as
fixing the plumbing, installing a new washer, and replacing the security
gate lock. Weeks have passed, and he still has not done any of it yet.
19. Ways to fix Run-on Sentences..
1. Add a period and a capital
letter to separate the sentences.
Joseph Cornell was an innovative
American artist known for his shadow
boxes and collages. His art became
more famous after his death in 1972.
20. Ways to fix a run-on sentence…
2. Add a comma and a coordinating conjunction
Joseph Cornell was an innovative American artist known
for his shadow boxes and collages, but his art became
more famous after his death in 1972.
Coordinating Conjunctions – The
“FANBOYS” (FANBOYS is a memory trick to help you
remember them!)
For and nor but or yet so
21. Wrap-up
Please read the assigned textbook
pages. Some of the information
discussed in this power point may not
be included on the quiz, but it will be
utilized at a later point in the course.
