WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

WEEK 33

GRAMMAR TOPIC: Bringing Variety to Your Writing by Combining Ideas.s

Word Groups Come in All Flavors!

  1. What is a Sentence?
  1. A sentence is a group of words that
  2. has a subject + verb(not a verbal!)
  3. starts with a capital letter
  4. ends with a period (.), question mark (?), or exclamation mark (!)
  5. makes sense on its own (with no added words)
  1. Are these correct sentences (C) or not (N) ? Why or why not?

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

__1.A Starbucks just opened in our neighborhood.

__2.did it just open.

__3.The manager who asked about parking.

__4.A brand-new Starbucks!

__5.It did?

__6.Time on our hands.

__7.The winning team finished its practice.

__8.While you were sleeping on the couch.

__9.The idea you had.

__10.Sit.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. What is a Phrase?

A.A phrase is a group of words either

  1. Without a subject and/or verb or
  2. With a subject and verb (or verbal) but makes no sense

B.Are these phrases(P) or complete sentences (C)? Why?

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

__1.The dog in the back yard continues to bark.

__2.The dog, who is in the back yard, barks.

__3.John, running down the street.

__4.John ran down the street.

__5.The final pages of the book.

__6.The supervisor liked what he saw.

__7.Hurrying away from the car.

__8.About the future.

__9.Worries about the future.

__10.We worry about the future.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

III.What is a Clause?

  1. A group of words that has a subject and a verb
  2. An independent clause (aka “main clause”)
  3. Has a subject and verb
  4. Stands on its own
  5. Makes sense by itself
  6. Susan began using a spell checker.
  7. John used a spell checker, too.
  1. A dependent clause (aka “subordinate clause”)
  2. Has a subject and verb (or verbal)
  3. Cannot stand on its own
  4. Doesn’t make sense by itself
  5. Depends on another group of words to make sense
  1. Because she was having trouble with her spelling
  2. Although he was a good speller
  1. Which are independent (I) and which are dependent (D) clauses?

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

__1.While you are waiting.

__2.You might want to look at this magazine.

__3.The project is really exciting.

__4.Although the tasks seem boring.

__5.The client rang the bell.

__6.Because she wanted faster service.

__7.As soon as the mail arrives.

__8.I’ll see if the check is there.

__9.If you can come.

__10. Call me.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. Simple Sentencesand Compound Sentences

A.A simple sentence consists of one independent clause:

  1. Susan began using a spell checker.
  2. John used a spell checker, too.
  1. A compound sentence consists of two or more independent clauses:
  2. Susan was having trouble with her spelling, so she began to use a spell checker.
  3. John was a good speller, but he used a spell checker, too.
  4. CCoordinatingConjunctionss

FANBOYS. The independent clauses in a compound sentences are connected by one of these coordinating conjunctions:

• For• And • Nor

• But • Or • Yet • So

  1. Are these simple(S) or compound(C) sentences? If compound, underline the coordinating conjunction.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

__1.My boss dictates the memo, and Marty types it.

__2.We filled out the correct forms.

__3.He hasn’t called me, nor has he written.

__4.He hasn’t called nor written.

__5.She left work early, for she was not feeling well.

__6.She was feeling ill when she left work early.

__7.She was feeling ill, so she left work early.

__8.Our customers can wait in line.

__9.They can order over the phone.

__10.They can wait in line, or they can order over the phone.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

V.What are Complex Sentences?

  1. One or more dependent clause(s) + one independent clause
  2. Because she was having trouble with her spelling, Susan began using a spell checker.
  3. Although he was a good speller, John used a spell checker, too.
  1. Dependent clauses begin with a ssubordinating conjunctionn:

Time / Cause/Effect / Condition / Contrast/Compare / Place
beforewhenever
afteruntil
whileas soon as
whenas long as / because
since
so that
in order that / if
unless
whether / althougheven though
thoughas though
whereasas if / where
wherever
  1. Are these complex sentences? Underlinedependent clauses and .highlight. subordinating conjunctions:

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. Plan to fill out some forms before you see the doctor.
  2. We want to serve you better, so we have a toll-free number.
  3. Although it was raining, the picnic was held outside.
  4. It was raining, and the picnic was held inside.
  5. The contract expired on December 31.
  6. With that résumé, you will definitely find a job!
  7. I wasn’t planning to come because I have a conflicting engagement.
  8. Come to my office after you finish the report.
  9. Stay in your office to finish the report.
  10. We’ll be ready when the time comes.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

COMBINING SENTENCESS

When a single simple sentence is just too boring . . .

I.COORDINATION: Combining Simple Sentences: CComma + Coordinating Conjunctionn

  1. To combine two simple sentences this way,
  2. Delete the period between them and replace it with a comma
  3. Insert the appropriateFANBOYcoordinating conjunction
  4. Change the capital letter of the second sentence to a lowercase
  5. Practice combining sentences:

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. Sue can pay her bill by postal mail. She can pay online using PayPal.
  2. An e-mail popped up. I opened it.
  3. The movie was over. We got our things and left.
  4. Your web site looks impressive. We have no jobs right now
  5. I didn’t like the web authoring class. I hated the Photoshop class.
  6. Please bring your ID numbers. You’ll have no other way to get logged on.
  7. The students always check their e-mail. It contains important information for the upcoming week.
  8. She wants to have friends. She never accepts friend requests.
  9. I know I should study. I am so tired after work.
  10. I didn’t like the text book. I didn’t like the instructor.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

II.COORDINATION: Combining Simple Sentences: CSemicolon + Conjunctive Adverb + Comman

  1. To combine two simple sentences this way,
  2. Change the period between them into a semicolon (;)
  3. Change the capital letter of the second sentence to a lowercase
  4. Insert the appropriateHOTSHOT CATconjunctive adverb + a comma

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

However,

Otherwise,

Therefore,

Similarly,

Hence,

On the other hand,

Then,

Consequently,

Also,

Thus,

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. Practice combining sentences:

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. The movie was over. We got our things and left.
  2. Your web site looks impressive. We have no jobs right now
  3. I can pay my bill by postal mail. I can pay online using PayPal.
  4. An e-mail popped up. I opened it.
  5. I didn’t like the web authoring class. I hated the Photoshop class.
  6. Please bring your ID numbers. You’ll have no other way to get logged on.
  7. The students always check their e-mail. They have access to important information for the next week.
  8. She wants to have friends. She never accepts friend requests.
  9. I am very tired after work. I have a small meal and take a short nap before studying.
  10. I paid for the text book. I took it to the library to study.

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

III.SUBORDINATION: Combining Clauses: CIndependent Clause + BAT + Dependent Clauses

  1. Use BAT WASHTUB (and other) subordinating conjunctions to introduce the dependent clauseat the end of a complex sentence.
    Including and in additionto the list on p. 3, remember some subordinating conjunctions with the help of the acronym BAT WASHTUB:


WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

Because

After

That

While

Although

Since

How

Till

Unless

Before

WR 90 Fall 2008Week 3 PacketDr. Bianco, p. 1

  1. Practice combining through subordination:
  2. We will keep working on these exercises. We fully understand the rules.
  3. I ordered the item from eBay. I couldn’t find it in stores.
  4. I sent in the check. I received the box.
  5. I try not to wait until the last minute. Sometimes I have no choice.
  6. He gave her his phone number. He asked her friend if it would be okay.
  7. It is no surprise.He won the contest.
  8. I proofread my paper one more time onscreen. I wait for it to print.
  9. I ask for help from the TutoringCenter.This is my first term in college.
  10. It’s a wonder to me. She finished all that work.
  11. I will call you tonight. I hear from you by e-mail first.

IV.SUBORDINATION: Combining Clauses: CDependent Clause + Comma + Independent Clauses

  1. Use BAT WASHTUB (and other) subordinating conjunctions to introduce the dependent clauseat the beginning of a complex sentence, followed by a comma and then the independent clause.
  2. Practice combining through subordination:
  3. We heard from the doctor. We had to wait patiently.
  4. They built that new cinema in the suburbs. No one seems to go downtown anymore.
  5. We practiced passing. We moved on to defensive exercises.
  6. George passed the test on Chapter 1. He was worried about Chapter 2.
  7. I heard about the great news. I immediately sent flowers to the new parents.
  8. Students put their names on their tests. I don’t know which exam belongs to which student.
  9. We are out of town next week. Please feed the cats every day.
  10. The coach wanted the team to improve. He pushed them extra hard in morning drills.
  11. People seal an envelope. They should make sure their check is inside.
  12. Mike had told me there might be extra guests. I would have made more food.

V.Punctuation with Subordinating Conjunctions

  1. When the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, set it off with a comma.

Since Yoshi lives three miles from the plant, he takes the bus to work.

  1. When the dependent clause comes after or within the independent clause, set it off with commas only if the clause is not necessary to the meaning of the independent clause.

My neighbor, while she is a very good mother, is not the world’s best cook.

My neighbor is not the world’s best cook, while she is a very good mother.

My neighbor often cooks while she oversees her children’s homework.

  1. Usually set off a dependent clause at the end of a sentence if it begins with although, though, or even though.

Mike stayed up to finish the book, although he really didn’t find it all that interesting.

Everyone said they liked Susan’s pie, even though they thought it was undercooked.

Most of us remained very polite, though we preferred to be elsewhere.

  1. Practicepunctuating these complex sentences:
  2. After they won the race the runners jumped for joy.
  3. The runners jumped for joy after they won the race.
  4. Although I tend not to like candy I will always eat chocolate.
  5. I will always eat chocolate although I tend not to like candy.
  6. My mother ran for mayor when she heard about the opening.
  7. Although she knew she didn’t have much experience she planned on running anyway.
  8. Before you sit down to eat you should wash your hands.
  9. You should wash your hands before you sit down to eat.
  10. You should wash your hands before eating even though you washed them before cooking.
  11. You should wash your hands when you return to work.

VI.SUBORDINATION: Relative Pronoun Introducing a Dependent Clause

  1. Relative clauses are dependent clauses that begin with a relative pronoun (that, which, who, whose, or whom)
  2. When the relative clause is necessary to the sentence, do not set it off with commas:

Any student who is caught cheating will be sent to the Dean’s office.

The book that I ordered for my English class has still not arrived.

  1. When the relative clause is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence, do set it off.

Our textbook, which you can find for a good price on the Internet, is the fifth edition.

Students in Writing 90, who are here to learn paragraph and essay writing, should go on to Writing 115.

  1. Practicepunctuating:
  2. The commission is studying the pollution levels that occur at temperatures above 90 degrees.
  3. The attorney who advertises in the back of the weekly newspaper doesn’t charge for the first half hour.
  4. These students whom I’ve been teaching for a year now are ready to graduate.
  5. Most students whom I teach in Writing 90 go on successfully to Writing 115.
  6. CassiusClay who is better known as MuhammadAliis known for his on- and off-ring poetry.
  7. The boxer who used to be known as CassiusClay is now called MuhammadAli.
  8. My grandfather married my grandmother who was a singer in his band.
  9. My grandmother married the man who played bass in her band.

VII.Other Ways to Combine Sentences to Add Variety to Writing

  1. Appositive phrases:a noun or noun phrase (group of words that act as a noun) coming directly after a noun or pronoun, restating it in different words (and usually set off by commas).
  2. I ran into Ms.Smith the other day. She was my third grade teacher. →
  3. I ran into Ms.Smith, my third grade teacher, the other day.
  4. GeorgeW.Bush met with world leaders in Switzerland. Bush is the president of the United States. →
  5. GeorgeW.Bush, the president of the United States, met with world leaders in Switzerland.
  6. Practiceadding variety with appositives.
  7. There is a live-action movie about Scooby-Doo. He is a cartoon dog. →
  8. Starbucks is closing over 500 American stores. It is the world’s largest coffee retailer. →

  10. Prepositional phrases: start with a preposition (connective word indicating place, time, or position) and end with an object (a noun or pronoun).
  1. In that building: My office is a big mess. My office is in that building. →
  2. My office in that building is a big mess.
  3. In the afternoon: Please call me sometime. Call me in the afternoon. →
  4. Please call me sometime in the afternoon.
  5. From him: I borrowed the book. I borrowed it from him. →
  6. I borrowed the book from him.
  7. Practice adding variety with prepositional phrases:
  8. Maria and her friends live downtown. They live in a small apartment. →
  9. There is an old photograph. The old photograph is of grandpa. It’s on the fireplace mantle. →

  11. Compounding verbs: If the subject is the same in two related sentences, drop the second subject and combine the sentences, to create a compound verb.
  12. Some sentences are related. Some sentences can be combined. →
  13. Some sentences are related and can be combined.
  1. Practice adding variety with compound verbs:
  2. This book is old. This book should be replaced. →
  3. My brother entered the armed forces. My brother served in Iraq. →

  5. Participial phrases consist of a group of words that includes a verbal, which is a verb-like word typically ending in –ing or –ed.
  6. Jane ate quickly. She ran out the door. →
  7. Eating quickly, Jane ran out the door.
  8. John was finished with his work. He sat down to watch TV. →
  9. Finished with his work, John sat down to watch TV.
  10. Practice adding variety with participial phrases:
  11. Mike was interested in computers. He checked out a book on programming. →
  12. Sharon danced gracefully across the floor. She caught everyone’s attention. →