8/7/2019 Writing Skill Building Sentences

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Intermediate Writing (Track 3)

Writing Skill Building Sentences

I. Dependent and Independent Clauses

A Dependent Clause is a group of words with a subject and verb; it must be connected to an

independent clause

An Independent Clause is a group of words with both a subject and verb; it is a complete sentence byitself

Subordinating Conjunctions and Relative Pronouns usually come at the beginning of a dependent

clause:

Subordinating Conjunctions Relative Pronouns

after if so that wheneveralthough in order that than where

as if now that that wherever

because once though whether

before provided that unless whileeven if rather than until why

even though since when

WhoWhom

Whose

Which

That

Example:

Before you saw him _______________ You forgave him.__________________

You got up early _______________ because you slept early. _______________

Practice 1: Write D if the clause is dependent and I if the clause is independent. For dependent clauses,

circle the word that makes the clause dependent.

1. _______ Who spoke with a high, loud voice. 5. _______ They stood there with their hats on.

2. _______ He imagined himself walking down the street. 6. _______ Since it is such a beautiful day.

3. _______ Although no one spoke. 7. _______ That she decided to go home.

4. _______ Rather than covering up the mistake. 8. _______ If she had come to school.

Practice 2: Write an independent clause to complete the sentence.

1. _________________________________________________, who won the first prize.

2. If you agree, _________________________________________________.

3. _________________________________________________,where I collapsed from tiredness.

4. Now that he has graduated, _________________________________________________.

5. _________________________________________________while watering the lawn.

8/7/2019 Writing Skill Building Sentences

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Intermediate Writing (Track 3)

II. Three Basic Sentence Types

Simple sentence consists of a single independent clause

o I bought an interesting book.

Compound sentences consist of two or more simple sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction

(for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)o I bought an interesting book, but it was really expensive.

Complex sentences consist of one or more independent clauses joined to dependent clauses. The moreimportant idea is expressed by the independent clause.

o I bought an interesting book even that was interesting even though it was expensive.

Practice 3: Use a coordinating conjunction to join each pair of simple sentences into a compound sentence.

1. Money is important. Money can create greed.

2. Many people choose to diet. They still do not lose weight.

3. Students should learn to be independent. Eventually they will be on their own.

4. The government will find a solution to the economic crisis. People may lose their money and become

poor.

5. Cell phones should not be allowed in school. They should not be allowed in the workplace.

Practice 4: Join the following sentences into complex sentences using a relative pronoun or subordinatingconjunction. Remember, the most important idea should be the independent clause.

1. Some people act very immature. They are sometimes older.

2. Moving away can be difficult. It often means losing old friends.

3. The company will hire an employee. The employee should speak Spanish.

4. It is important to save money for the future. You should still enjoy your money when you earn it.

5. It is beneficial to find an exciting career. Its boss should be willing to work with his or her employees.

Practice 5: Write a paragraph answering the question below. You must use at least 2 simple sentences, 2

compound sentences, and 2 complex sentences in your response.How do movies or television influence peoples behavior?