RECOGNIZING COMPLETE SENTENCES
Every complete sentence must contain1) a verb,
2) a subject,and
3) must express a complete thought/idea.
SentenceAmelialikes salad and pasta. [Verb is underlined. Subject is boxed.]
SentenceThe busstopped for the train.
No sentenceA tour of the factory at 10:00.
(no verb)
No sentenceAfter the carcrashed yesterday.
(incomplete thought)
Independent/Main Clauses
A group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb and that expresses a complete thought is called an independent, or main, clause. Every complete sentence contains at least one independent clause.
One independent clauseAlfonsostood by the door of the gym.
Combining Independent Clauses
- Sentences can combine independent clauses by using a comma and one of the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Two independent clauses:The computerwas quite expensive, butSuebought it anyway.
- Sentences can also combine independent clauses using semicolons (;).
Independent clause;independent clause.
Often the semicolons are followed by one of these transitional expressions:
accordinglyfurthermorelikewisesecond
as a resulthencemeanwhilestill
consequentlyhowevermoreovertherefore
firstindeedneverthelessthus
for examplein factnextunfortunately
for instanceinsteadotherwise
Two independentThebullpawed at the ground; itlooked restless.
clauses:
Erikarecognized the thief; however, she
refused to identify him.
Dependent/Subordinate Clauses
Dependent clauses are subject-verb combinations that begin with one of the following subordinating words:
Subordinating conjunctionsRelative Pronouns
afterifwhenthat
althoughsincewheneverwhich
asso thatwherewho(ever)
as ifthanwhereverwhom(ever)
as long asthoughwhile(and sometimes when orwhere)
becauseunless
even thoughuntil
Combining Independent and Dependent Clauses
Complete sentences may contain dependent clauses in addition to independent clauses. But a dependent clause without an independent clause is not a complete sentence. In the following sentences, the dependent clauses are underlined—notice how they cannot stand by themselves as complete sentences.
After we finish the game, we’ll meet for pizza.
I like the food at Bogart’s Restaurant although I dislike the atmosphere.
Sara, whom Ellis met at graduate school, was studying criminology.
When combining independent and dependent clauses, if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, separate them with a comma. If the dependent clausecomes after the dependent clause, you do not have to separate them with a comma.
Examples
Underline the verbs in the sentence and box the subjects. Then highlight the independent clause in each sentence.
- Environmental agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are having an impact on our neighborhood.
- For instance, Ihave noticed an electrical car that someoneis driving around my small village.
- Auto companies like Ford and Honda are developing electrical cars because the governmenthas set a deadline for their introduction.
- These carsare supposed to decrease the use of gasoline, which pollutes the environment.