Sentence Structure Phrases, Independent Clauses, and Dependent Clauses

Sentence StructurePhrases, Independent Clauses,

and Dependent Clauses

Sentences

• A sentence is a group of words with a subject and a predicate.

• Good sentences convey a complete thought.

• Good sentences make sense.

What is a Subject?

• The subject of a sentence usually tells who or what the sentence is about.

Ms. Shermulis is my English teacher. Subject

My cell phone was stolen from my locker. Subject

What is a Predicate?

• The predicate of a sentence tells about the subject or tells what the subject is doing.

Ms. Shermulis is my English teacher. Predicate

My cell phone was stolen from my locker. Predicate

Examples

The bully picked on the helpless child. Subject Predicate

She asked him to the dance. Subject Predicate

The internet went down. Subject Predicate

The test was really difficult. Subject Predicate

Clauses and Phrases

• Clause: A part of a sentence which contains its own subject and predicate.

• Phrase: A part of a sentence which does not contain its own subject and predicate.

Two Types of Clauses

1. Independent Clause: Makes sense on its own. Can stand alone as a sentence. This is sometimes referred to as the main clause.

2. Dependent Clause: Does not make sense on its own. Cannot stand alone as a sentence. This is sometimes referred to as the subordinate clause.

Examples

After school, Katie studied for her test. Phrase Independent Clause

After she finished studying, she went to work. Dependent Clause Independent Clause

Katie felt a lot better after she studied for the test.

Independent Clause Dependent Clause

Your Turn! Directions: Underline and identify

the phrases and clauses in each of the following sentences.

P = Phrase

IC = Independent Clause

DC = Dependent Clause

#1 After school, Katie works at the grocery store.

Answer to #1

After school, Katie Phrase

works at the store. Independent Clause

#2

Mark went to the store

after he finished studying.

Answer to #2

Mark went to the store Independent Clause

after he finished studying.

Dependent Clause

#3

After Mark finished studying,

he went to the store.

Answer to #3

After Mark finished studying, Dependent Clause

he went to the store. Independent Clause

#4

Before the baseball game, Katie went home to study.

Answer #4

Before the baseball Phrase

game, Katie went home to study.

Independent Clause

#5

When he gets his new car, Matt will drive everyone to school.

Answer #5

When he gets his Dependent Clause

new car, Matt will drive everyone to school.

Independent Clause

Run-On Sentence

• A run-on sentence consists of two or more independent clauses with no punctuation or connector between them.

Examples of Run-Ons

• I have many goals I want to accomplish in life I have to finish high school first.

• We headed off to the game during the rain the rain stopped before we got there.

Comma Splice

• A comma splice is like a run-on sentence, except that a comma separates the two independent clauses. Comma splices must be corrected.

Examples of Comma Splices

• I have many goals I want to accomplish in life, I have to finish high school first.

• We headed off to the game during the rain, the rain stopped before we got there.

Three Ways to Make it Right

1. Turn the two independent clauses into separate sentences by adding an end mark and a capital letter.

2. Add a comma + conjunction

3. Separate the two independent clauses with a semi-colon (;).

Examples

1. I have many goals I want to accomplish in life. I have to finish high school first.

2. I have many goals I want to accomplish in life, but I have to finish high school first.

3. I have many goals I want to accomplish in life; I have to finish high school first.

More Examples

1. We headed off to the game during the rain. The rain stopped before we got there.

2. We headed off to the game during the rain, but the rain stopped before we got there.

3. We headed off to the game during the rain; the rain stopped before we got there.

Your Turn!Correct the run-ons and comma splices. Some sentences are correct.

#1

I like pizza with pepperoni and sausage Katie likes onion and extra cheese on her pizza.

Answer #1

1. I like pizza with pepperoni and sausage. Katie likes onion and extra cheese on her pizza.

OR

2. I like pizza with pepperoni and sausage, and Katie likes onion and extra cheese on her pizza.

Answer #1

ORI like pizza with pepperoni and sausage;

Katie likes onion and extra cheese on her pizza.

#2

I ate all my pizza, I could not finish the breadsticks.

Answer #2

1. I ate all my pizza. I could not finish the breadsticks.

Or

2. I ate all my pizza, but I could not finish the breadsticks.

Answer #2

Or

I ate all my pizza; I could not finish the breadsticks.

#3

After I finished my pizza, I went to softball practice.

Answer #3

Correct!

After I finished my pizza, I Dependent Clause

went to softball practice. Independent Clause