Sentence Combining Subordination

Subordinating conjunctions (a partial list) after as soon as howwhenever unlessalthough ifas though

Subordinating conjunctions (cont’) thanuntil asbecause thatprovided that whenas if beforesince thoughwhile

Using subordinating conjunctions Subordination creates a different relationship between two sentences being combined, one of which is a dependent clause.

Using subordinating conjunctions These dependent clauses require another independent clause to complete the compound sentence.

Using subordinating conjunctions The subordinate (dependent) clause is typically not the main point the writer is trying to make.

Combine the following sentences using if You don’t want to go to the game. Let me know right away.

Combined if If you don’t want to go to the game, let me know right away.

This combined sentence is called a complex sentence, and it uses subordination as the connecting relationship. The second clause is subordinate to the first or main clause.

The main clause can stand alone, but the subordinating clause depends on the main clause for clarity.

Notice that the order of the clause can be reversed without losing the meaning of the sentence.

If you don’t want to go to the game, let me know right away. vs. Let me know right away, if you don’t want to go to the game.

In the following examples, notice the different relationships created by the various subordinating conjunctions:

Although, Maria was broke, she invited Juan to the dance club.

Maria invited Juan to the dance club, although she was broke.

Unless, they get lucky, the Dodgers always fade in the stretch.

Our program has to be cut, because the government reduced the funding.

Whenever the Lakers lose, David goes into a deep depression.

I grew up in Buffalo, where summers are hot and winters are cold.

Ever since Laura spent that year in Spain, she’s been a coffee drinker.

No matter what the relationship between the two clauses may be (time, place, contradiction, or consequence) in every case the dependent or subordinate clause cannot stand alone as a sentence.

Classroom Activity pg 119 Working alone… –Combine each sentence properly

The fragments clearly leave us hanging: When I finish mowing the lawn If you don’t come now

Coordination and subordination mesh quite smoothly and are frequently combined: If I work too hard, I don’t have enough fun, but if I have enough fun, I feel guilty.

and: Roberto likes Graciella, so whenever he’s with her, he’s very attentive.

In the first example: If I work too hard, I don’t have enough fun, but if I have enough fun, I feel guilty. two complex sentences, each with its subordinate and main clauses, are joined with but into one large compound sentence:

In the second example: Roberto likes Graciella, so whenever he’s with her, he’s very attentive. A simple sentence is joined by so to a complex sentence beginning with whenever.

In both cases, a coordinating conjunction is followed immediately by a subordinator (but if, so whenever). This kind of sentence is called compound-complex.

Combine the following pairs of sentences by inserting an appropriate subordinating conjunction in front of either clause adjusting the punctuation as needed. Choose a conjunction that makes good sense.

Part I 1. I can’t go to the Steel Pulse concert. I have to work.

Part I 1. I can’t go to the Steel Pulse concert, as I have to work.

2. Maria chewed each piece of meat many times. Clarissa covered her eyes.

2. Maria chewed each piece of meat many times, while Clarissa covered her eyes.

3. Anne had never ridden a motorcycle. Her husband gave her one last week.

3. Anne had never ridden a motorcycle, although her husband gave her one last week.

4. It starts to rain a lot. Pedro gets very moody.

4.It starts to rain a lot, when Pedro gets very moody. Meaning????

4. Pedro gets very moody, when it starts to rain a lot. Mejor!

5. I spent two years in Hawaii. The weather is warm and life moves slowly.

5. I spent two years in Hawaii, as the weather is warm and life moves slowly.

6. I’ll come to your house tonight. I get off work.

6. I’ll come to your house tonight, when I get off work.

Normal Clauses… Normal Clause depends on the function of the noun. When turning a sentence into a normal clause, you must distinguish between 3 different types of sentences. –Statements –Yes/No questions –W- Questions

Classroom Activity pg 121 Working alone… –Turn these sentences into Normal Clauses When finished find a partner and compare your work.

Relative Clauses… Clauses can also function as an adjective or prepositional phrase. We need some words to connect them together. These words are known as Relatives. Prepositional Phrase: A phrase beginning with a preposition.

Classroom Activity pg 123 Working with a partner.. –Choose the correct relative for these sentences. –Talk over your choices.

The End Thank you for coming ;-)

Part II Write three complete sentences, using the following conjunctions either at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle to connect the two clauses.

Part II 1. if 2. as long as 3. while

Part II Answers may vary 1. if

Part II Answers may vary 1. You will receive a trophy, if you win the spelling bee.

Part II Answers may vary 1. I would be happy, if you were happy living in Harmony, California.

Part II Answers may vary 2. as long as

Part II Answers may vary 2. My sister will go to the party, as long as she gets good grades.

Part II Answers may vary 2. My mom said I could go to the party, as long as I clean my room.

Part II Answers may vary 3. while

Part II Answers may vary 3. He will clean the kitchen, while my mom cleans the water closet (WC).

Part II Answers may vary 3. I was mad, while you were happy.

Part III Write two compound-complex sentences. In each sentence use a combination of a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so) and a subordinating conjunction (if, since, when, because, although, after, as).

Part III Example: I usually enjoy going to a movie, but when the person sitting behind me kicks my chair for two hours, I don’t have much fun.