1. BBI2421 General Writing Skills
Week 4:
Independent & Dependent Clauses
Complex Sentences
Subordinators

2. Independent Clauses What? E.g.: Another name for a simple sentence.
Anna left the party.
I will try to finish and submit the report.
Muhammad made dinner.
They were burgled.

3. Dependent Clauses What? E.g.:
It is not a sentence because the meaning is not complete.
It depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.
E.g.:
…because she was tired
…before I joined my friends for lunch
…after he came home
…while they were on holiday.

4. Complex Sentences complex sentence = independent clause +

5. Complex Sentences independent clause [They were burgled.] +
dependent clause […while they were
away on holiday] =
complex sentence [They were burgled
while they were
away on holiday.]

6. Complex Sentences Example: Anna left the party because she was tired.
I will try to finish and submit the report before I joined my friends for lunch.
Muhammad made dinner after he came home.
They were burgled while they were on holiday.

7. Comma Rule in Complex Sentences
independent clause + dependent clause
without comma
E.g.:
We visited the museum before it closed.
Alya is the most popular in school because she is smart and pretty.

8. Comma Rule in Complex Sentences
dependent clause + independent clause
with comma
E.g.:
Before it closed, we visited the museum.
Because she is smart and pretty, Alya is the most popular girl in school.

9. Subordinators
are linking words that are used to join clauses together.
are used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence.
show relationships between ideas.
(Taken from

10. Subordinators Subordinator Logical Relationship Example
although, though, even though, while, whereas
contrast
Although I am a senior, I have 40 more units to take.
because, since
result/cause
School is taking longer
because I have to
work. if
condition
I can go the movies if I finish my homework.
(Taken from

11. Subordinators Subordinator Logical Relationship Example unless
condition
I cannot go to the movies unless I finish my homework.
before, after, when, whenever, until, as soon as
time
I’ll try to finish my homework before I go to the movies.
(Taken from