1. Loose (Cumulative) and Periodic Sentences

2. Loose/Cumulative Sentences
A loose or cumulative sentence is one where the main or independent clause comes first, followed by phrases and dependent clauses.
Examples:
It went up, a great ball of fire about a mile in diameter, and elemental force freed from its bonds after being chained for billions of years.
I knew I had found a friend in the woman, who herself was a lonely soul, never having known the love of man or child.

3. After combing through the ad for jobs and sending out hundreds of resumes, Steve finally got his dream job. Read more at
Periodic Sentences
A periodic sentence is a sentence where the main or independent clause comes at the end of the sentence. In other words, it doesn’t make sense until the period.
Examples:
After combing through ads for jobs and sending out hundreds of resumes, Steve finally landed his dream job.
Severe weather systems and the melting of the polar ice caps are both signs of climate change.

4. On your white board, write the word “loose” if the sentence is loose, and “periodic” if the sentence is periodic.

5. In spite of the snow and cold temperatures, the game continued.

6. In spite of the snow and cold temperatures, the game continued
In spite of the snow and cold temperatures, the game continued. Periodic – the independent clause is at the end.

7. With low taxes, beautiful views, and a mild climate, this city is a wonderful place to live.

8. With low taxes, beautiful views, and a mild climate, this city is a wonderful place to live. Periodic

9. I went to the movies yesterday, bought candy, and shopped at the mall.

10. I went to the movies yesterday, bought candy, and shopped at the mall
I went to the movies yesterday, bought candy, and shopped at the mall. Loose – the independent clause comes first

11. Positive thinking, by helping us stay focused and maintaining a good attitude, is important for a happy life.

12. Positive thinking, by helping us stay focused and maintaining a good attitude, is important for a happy life. Periodic – it doesn’t make sense until the period

13. Florida is a great vacation spot for families, with Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World.

14. Florida is a great vacation spot for families, with Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Loose – the independent clause is at the beginning

15. I could tell my mother was upset from her tapping foot and her stern expression.

16. I could tell my mother was upset from her tapping foot and her stern expression. Loose – the independent clause is at the beginning, followed by supplemental phrases

17. The fire alarm went off, making a loud noise, startling everyone, and causing some people to knock over their chairs.

18. The fire alarm went off, making a loud noise, startling everyone, and causing some people to knock over their chairs. Loose – the independent clause is at the beginning

19. Because of adding a pool, spa, and restaurant, the hotel is experiencing an increase in guests.

20. Because of adding a pool, spa, and restaurant, the hotel is experiencing an increase in guests. Periodic – the independent clause comes at the end

21. With a blood-curdling scream, and claws outstretched, the eagle went after the rabbit.

22. With a blood-curdling scream, and claws outstretched, the eagle went after the rabbit. Periodic – the independent clause comes at the end

23. The elephants proceeded on their walk, pounding the dry dirt and swinging their trunks.

24. The elephants proceeded on their walk, pounding the dry dirt and swinging their trunks. Loose – the independent clause comes at the beginning of the sentence

25. You can pass all your classes with good study habits and good attendance.

26. You can pass all your classes with good study habits and good attendance. Loose – the independent clause comes first

27. The renovated mall is finally opening today, with an ice skating rink and a multiplex theater.

28. The renovated mall is finally opening today, with an ice skating rink and a multiplex theater. Loose – the independent clause comes at the beginning of the sentence