Sentence structure

For a sentence to be complete it should have a subject and a verb The subject is who or what the subject is about, eg: Tom loves to eat pasta Tom is the subject Write the subject of each sentence on your mini whiteboard Hazel loves to eat pizza. College is ace! I enjoy learning. My car is very old.

For a sentence to be complete it should have a subject and a verb. A verb is an action or being word, eg Tom is happy. Tom rides his bicycle. I am happy is, rides and am are the verbs Write the verb from each sentence onto your mini whiteboard Shelia cooks tea. Jamie likes beer. Sharon loves John.

Clauses Sentences are made up of clauses. Simple sentences contain just one clause. There may be other elements in a sentence But as long as there is only one verb is a simple sentence.

Connectives for writing compound sentences A compound sentence is made up of two simple sentences joined together. They are joined using the co-ordinate connectives: And, but, or, for, nor, yet, so Michael likes his work. (Simple sentence) Michael works hard. (Simple sentence) Michael likes his job and works hard. (Compound sentence).

Bill was sad. Dave was sad. Make the following into compound sentences using either and, nor, but, or, yet, so Bill was sad. Dave was sad. I want to go on holiday. I can’t afford it. 3. Shall I have a doughnut? Shall I have an éclair? 4. The forecast was for sun today. It is raining.

Compound sentences In a compound sentence the clauses on either side of the connective/conjuction have equal weight. They are both main clauses. Co-ordinating conjunctions do not suggest that one clause is less important (subordinate/dependent) to the other. I drank a cup of tea and I ate a slice of cake. I wore my coat to work because it is raining.

Co-ordinating Connectives Further examples of co-ordinating connectives include: but, consequently, furthermore, therefore, however, accordingly, and, nevertheless, on the other hand, whereas, nonetheless.

Comma splicing A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined with a comma but without a connective. E.g I got up late this morning, I didn’t have time for breakfast. I’ll hire the DVD, you buy the take-away.

Complex sentences A complex sentence is usually made up of an independent clause (that would make sense on its own) joined by one or more dependent clauses (which could not be a sentence on their own.) Dependant clauses can be said to be “extra information.” The meaning of these sentences is shown by the relationship between the dependent clause (extra information) and the independent clause (often shown by the use of a subordinating conjuction/connective.) e.g. Since I came back from my holiday, I have had a horrible cold. He left the office early (independent), although he shouldn’t have!

when, if, because, whenever A complex sentence has one main clause and one or more subordinate/dependent clauses. Connectives like when, if, because, whenever are called subordinating connectives/conjunctions When you put one in front of a clause you automatically make it into a subordinate/ dependent clause.

Examples of complex sentences When the dog barked, the baby woke up. Because the dog barked, the baby woke up. If the dog barked, the baby woke up. Whenever the dog barked, the baby woke up. Think of the dependant clause as “extra information”

Using commas with complex sentences When a sentence opens with a subordinate clause (extra information) you need a comma before the main clause. When the dog barked, the baby woke up. Because the dog barked, the baby woke up. Remember a main clause can stand as a sentence on its own.

When not to use commas with complex sentences You don’t necessarily need a comma if the subordinate clause comes after the main clause, because the connective signals the grammatical boundary. The baby woke up when the dog barked. The baby woke up because the dog barked.

Commas with conjunctions Comma can be used as pauses before a conjunction that introduces a contrasting idea. The comma helps you make sense of the sentence when you read it. Mark likes swimming, but hates the sea. The couple enjoyed their evening, although the film was too long.

Commas for extra information If not doubt, use a comma to separate “extra information” either before or after the main clause. So he would improve his batting, the cricketer practised in the nets. The cricketer practised in the nets, so that he would improve his batting.

Commas for Embedded clauses If the dependent clause (extra information) comes in the middle of the sentence it must be separated on both sides by commas. The dog, which was called Rover, was barking. Mr. Jones, who lives in Southend, goes to work in London. The baby, after crying all night, fell asleep.

Examples of how complex sentences can be written for specific meaning. I got up late this morning. I didn’t have time for breakfast. I got up late this morning; I didn’t have time for breakfast. I got up late this morning, so I didn’t have time for breakfast. I got up late this morning and I didn’t have time for breakfast.

Colons and semi-colons Homework Write a set rules for using colons and semi-colons for the class next week.

Task 2 Look at the following links to update your punctuation skills: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/english/spelling_grammar/punctuation/play/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/english http://www.bristol.ac.uk/arts/exercises/grammar/grammar_tutorial/page_41.htm http://www.tesspag.com/ http://www.mrnussbaum.com/semicolonwars/index.html (semi colons) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/reading/sentences/activity.shtml (sentence structure) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/reading/paragraphs/activity.shtml (paragraphs) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/reading/structure/activity.shtml (Reading and features of a text) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks3bitesize/english/reading/summarising/activity.shtml (practice reading skills) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/spelling_grammar/punctuation/play.shtml (all punctuation marks)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks1bitesize/literacy/punctuation/index.shtml (all punctuation marks)  http://www.bbc.co.uk/skillswise/words/grammar/punctuation/commas/flash0.shtml (commas) http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/english/englishB7.htm (commas)  http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/quiz/mquiz.asp?filename=kderittepun (All punctuation)  http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2487001c79728.html (apostrophes) Sentences http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2bitesize/english/spelling_grammar/index.shtml  Proof reading http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi-shl/par_numberless_quiz.pl/caps_quiz.htm (capitals)  http://chompchomp.com/exercises.htm (grammar and punctuation)  http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/language_arts/pmp/interactive_guide/g04/g04home.htm (choice of areas)  http://www.quia.com/pop/5501.html?AP_rand=573251677 (general)