Combining Sentences

Independent Clauses Also referred to as simple sentences Contain the most basic elements needed to make a sentence. Contain a subject and a verb. Forms a complete thought Examples: Rachel plays soccer. My cat scratches the furniture. Jacob jumps around.

Dependent Clauses a dependent clause lacks either a subject or a verb and does not form a complete thought. Examples of dependent clauses: Because she plays soccer although he is crazy Even though she is very loveable Dependent clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction (next slide)

Subordinating Conjunctions After Although As Because Before Even though If Since Though Unless Until When Whenever Whereas Wherever while

Compound Sentences A sentence made up of two independent clauses (two complete sentences) They are connected to one another using a coordinating conjunction (FANBOY) For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So Examples: Rachel plays soccer, and she plays the violin. My cat scratches the furniture, but I don’t care. Jacob jumps around, for he is crazy. PUNCTUATION NOTE: you must insert a comma in front of the coordinating conjunction (FANBOY)

Complex Sentences A sentence made up of one independent clause and one or more dependent clause. A complex sentence joins an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses using a subordinating conjunction. Examples: Because she plays soccer, Rachel doesn’t have time to practice her violin. Although he is crazy, the teacher loves him anyway. Even though she is loveable, the cat is getting on my nerves. Rachel doesn’t have time to practice her violin because she plays soccer.

Complex Sentences Punctuating complex sentences can be tricky. Use the following guidelines. When the dependent clause comes first, a comma should be used to separate the two clauses. Examples: Because she plays soccer, Rachel doesn’t have time to practice her violin. When the independent clause comes first you do not need to put a comma before the subordinating conjunction. Rachel doesn’t have time to practice her violin because she plays soccer.

Compound-Complex Sentences A compound-complex sentence is one that has two or more independent clauses and one or more subordinate clauses. Examples: Because they love extracurricular activities, Rachel plays soccer, and Danielle plays the violin. My cat is loveable, and she is friendly until the dog wakes up.

Appositives An appositive is a noun or pronoun — often with modifiers — set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it. Here are some examples of appositives (the noun or pronoun will be in green, the appositive will be in red). Mrs. Simmons, my favorite teacher, knows we are involved in a lot of activities, so she doesn’t assign homework over the weekend. My favorite teacher, Mrs. Simmons, doesn’t assign homework over the weekend because she knows we are involved in a lot of activities. Amanda, a student in my Honors class, is a gifted writer. The Geico spokesman, a gecko, has a very cultured British accent. The creator of Family Guy, Seth MacFarlane, is a genius.

Exit Ticket Combine the following independent clauses two different ways. In parentheses, identify what type of sentence it is (compound, complex, compound- complex). My teacher doesn’t assign homework over the weekend. My teacher knows we are involved in a lot of activities She is my favorite teacher. Her name is Mrs. Simmons

Peer Editing Feedback Suggestions for evaluating a classmate’s work

Sentence Starters I like your use of the word(s) because… Your sentence structure is interesting because you I would really like to know I am unclear about Your use of figurative language here is effective because One thing you did really good here is One thing you might want to consider doing is

Sample Editing Comments Effective Ineffective I like how you used short, simple sentences to create emphasis. Your use of similes really helped me visualize what you were talking about. One thing you might want to consider is to use more of a variety of complex and simple sentences. Your use of figurative language really makes this enjoyable to read. You provided a lot of good details in your piece. You may want to use more descriptive words to make your writing sound more sophisticated. You forgot to add a period Your sentences are nice I find your voice very interesting. I like how you used your sentences. I like the words you used. Your imagery is great I like the creative words. Your handwriting is a lot better than mine. I like your name.