Sentences, Phrases, and Clauses

What is a Sentence?

A sentence is a group of words with a subject and predicate.– The subject of the sentence usually tells what the

sentence is about.– The predicate of a sentence tells about the subject

or tells what the subject is doing. A sentence begins with a capitalized word,

and it can end with a period, question mark, or exclamation point.

Good sentences convey a complete thought.

Find the Subject His terror of spiders kept him out of the

basement. There will be three concerts in the arts center

tonight. Despite the storm's destructiveness, the ship,

with its crew of amateurs, might have survived in more experienced hands.

After the movie, Emma and her brother bought a birthday present for their mother.

Find the predicate His terror of spiders kept him out of the

basement. There will be three concerts in the arts center

tonight. Despite the storm's destructiveness, the ship,

with its crew of amateurs, might have survived in more experienced hands.

After the movie, Emma and her brother bought a birthday present for their mother.

Examples of Complete Sentences

The large, red dog ran quickly down the path.

ACT scores can be improved through study and practice.

Fake fans like the Chicago Cubs.

What is a Phrase?

A phrase is a part of a sentence which does not contain its own subject and predicate.– The subject of the sentence usually tells

what the sentence is about.– The predicate of a sentence tells about the

subject or tells what the subject is doing.

Examples of Phrases

After school

Before the boys’ basketball game

While it was raining

Inside my car

Down the hall

In the principal’s office

Review from Yesterday

1. Answer the questions on your sheet with a partner.

ONLY a partner.

2. Go show Mr. Klein your sheet in order to be approved to move on.

3. If you’re not approved, take a remediation sheet from the stack, fill it out, and redo your sheet.

What is a Clause?

A clause is a group of words that includes a subject and a predicate.

Examples of a Clause

The family stood in front of the helicopter.

The father taught piano to his daughter.

What is an Independent (Main) Clause?

An independent clause is a clause that can STAND ALONE as a sentence.

It does NOT need to be attached to another clause.

Therefore, an independent clause has a subject, predicate, and creates a complete thought.

Examples of an Independent Clause

The boy played baseball all day.

The cat chased the mouse around the house.

I went to karate practice after school.

What is a Dependent (Subordinate) Clause?

A dependent clause is a clause that does not complete a thought, and must be accompanied by an independent clause.

This is different from a phrase because phrases do not have both a subject and a predicate. A clause does.

Example: The baby was crying because he was hungry.

Examples of a Dependent Clause

After class was over, I bounced the ball in the cafeteria.

The baby was crying because he was hungry.

Quick Quiz! Independent Clause?

Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper.

1. We went to the mall last week.

2. Because of your bad haircut.

3. After the fish jumped out of the bowl.

4. I can’t believe our friends did that!

5. You need to leave.

6. When we left the restaurant.

Let’s Check Our Answers!

We went to the mall last week.

Independent Clause

Because of your bad haircut.

Dependent Clause

After the fish jumped out of the bowl.

Dependent Clause

I can’t believe our friends did that!

Independent Clause

You need to leave.Independent Clause

When we left the restaurant.

Dependent Clause

Citation PageCheck Out These Websites!

http://www.english.uiuc.edu/cws/wworkshop/writer_resources/grammar_handbook/dependent_independent_clauses.htm

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/predicate

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/subject;_ylt=At2dXwl0a1Bc0YzUFolTN9OsgMMF

YOU MADE IT!