1. Take Will Smith, for example a.k.a. “Dependent and Independent Clauses”

2. Dependent Clauses (or “Why do some sentences still live with their mothers?”) When Will Smith is at a basketball game

3. What is a “dependent clause”? A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a SUBJECT and a VERB, but does NOT contain a complete thought. Think of it this way: A clause is dependent when it “can’t stand on its own two feet”

4. Let’s help our newborn leave the nest: Will Smith loves to eat two hot dogs with extra ketchup.

5. What is an “independent clause”? An independent clause is a group of words that contains a SUBJECT and a VERB and DOES contain a complete thought. Think of it this way: A clause is independent when it can “stand on its own two feet”

6. The “Complex Sentence” When he is at a basketball game, Will Smith loves to eat two hotdogs with extra ketchup.

7. Clause Shorthand DC=Dependent Clause IC=Independent Clause

8. Combining Clauses DC When he is at a basketball game, IC Will Smith loves to eat two hotdogs with extra ketchup. NOTE: DC + IC requires comma after the DC NOTE: IC + DC does NOT require a comma.

9. How Will Your Readers View You if You Overcome Fragments and Run-ons?

11. When two independent people join in holy matrimony…(a.k.a. joining two independent clauses)

12. “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” IC + IC = requires punctuation FOUR METHODS for a fix: 1. Use periods to form two sentences 2. Use a semi-colon 3. Use a comma and a conjunction (“fanboys”) 4. Use a dependent marker word

13. Fix #1: Form Two Sentences “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” The Fix: “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs. His wife loves to eat pizza. ” (See the periods?? Right there!And there!)

14. Fix #2: Add a semi-colon “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” The Fix: “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs ; his wife loves to eat pizza. ” (Seriously? Are you blind!? It’s right there!)

15. Fix #3: Add a comma plus conjunction “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” The Fix: “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs, and his wife loves to eat pizza. ” [fanboys = for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so] (Now I know you’re messing with me. There!!)

16. Fix #4: Use a dependent marker word “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” The Fix: IC DC, + IC “Even though Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs, his wife loves to eat pizza.” (Psst! You need a comma.) Or: “ Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs even though his wife loves to eat pizza.” (You didn’t notice there was no comma needed? I’m too upset to talk about it.)

17. Some examples of Dependent Marker Words after, although, as, as if, because, before, even if, even though, if, in order to, since, though, unless, until, whatever, when, whenever, whether, and while.

18. Some examples of dependent marker words: “Whatever he does at a basketball game, Will Smith never forgets to order two hotdogs with ketchup.” “Before he even sits down, Will Smith orders two hotdogs with ketchup.” “Even though they’re ridiculously expensive, Will Smith always orders two hotdogs with ketchup.

19. Fix #5: I thought of another fix!!!! Independent Marker Words! “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs his wife loves to eat pizza.” The Fix: IC ; indep marker, IC. “Will Smith loves to eat hot dogs; however, his wife loves to eat pizza.” (Check out the independent marker word!! You could at least PRETEND to be excited.)

20. Some examples of Independent Marker Words also, consequently, furthermore, however, moreover, nevertheless, and therefore.

21. Well, well. Look who’s all grown up.