Independent vs. Dependent Clauses

 
Independent vs. Dependent
Clauses
 
(Information taken from the Purdue
OWL)
 
Independent
 
An independent clause is a group of words
that contains a subject and verb and expresses
a complete thought. An independent clause is
a sentence.
Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.
 
Dependent
 
A dependent clause is a group of words that
contains a subject and verb but does not
express a complete thought. A dependent
clause cannot be a sentence.
When
 
Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his
chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he
studied? The thought is incomplete.)
 
Connecting the two
 
The seven coordinating conjunctions used as
connecting words at the beginning of an
independent clause are 
FANBOYS
. When the
second independent clause in a sentence
begins with a coordinating conjunction, a
comma is needed before the coordinating
conjunction:
Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz,
but 
it was hard to concentrate because of the
noise.
 
Comma Splice
 
A comma splice is the use of a comma
between two independent clauses. You can
usually fix the error by changing the comma to
a period and therefore making the two clauses
into two separate sentences, by changing the
comma to a semicolon, or by making one
clause dependent by inserting a dependent
marker word in front of it.
 
Comma Splice Example
 
Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting.
Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting.
(or) I like this class; it is very interesting.
(or) I like this class, and it is very interesting.
(or) I like this class because it is very
interesting.
(or) Because it is very interesting, I like this
class.
 
Run-On Sentence
 
Run-on sentences happen when there are two
independent clauses not separated by any
form of punctuation.
The error can sometimes be corrected by
adding a period, semicolon, or colon to
separate the two sentences.
 
Run-On Examples
 
Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned
a lot from her.
Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a
lot from her.
(or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot
from her.
(or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a
lot from her.
(or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've
learned a lot from her.
 
Sentence Fragments
 
Sentence fragments happen by treating a
dependent clause or other incomplete
thought as a complete sentence.
 You can usually fix this error by combining it
with another sentence to make a complete
thought or by removing the dependent
marker.
 
Fragments Examples
 
Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was
today.
Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today,
I didn't study.
(or) I forgot the exam was today.
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Independent clauses express complete thoughts and can stand alone as sentences, while dependent clauses require an independent clause for support. Learn about coordinating conjunctions, comma splices, and run-on sentences to enhance your understanding of sentence structure. Avoid common errors by recognizing and fixing issues such as comma splices and run-on sentences.

  • Independent clause
  • Dependent clause
  • Coordinating conjunctions
  • Comma splice
  • Run-on sentence

Uploaded on Jul 17, 2024 | 2 Views


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  1. Independent vs. Dependent Clauses (Information taken from the Purdue OWL)

  2. Independent An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause is a sentence. Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz.

  3. Dependent A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and verb but does not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot be a sentence. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

  4. Connecting the two The seven coordinating conjunctions used as connecting words at the beginning of an independent clause are FANBOYS. When the second independent clause in a sentence begins with a coordinating conjunction, a comma is needed before the coordinating conjunction: Jim studied in the library for his chemistry quiz, but it was hard to concentrate because of the noise.

  5. Comma Splice A comma splice is the use of a comma between two independent clauses. You can usually fix the error by changing the comma to a period and therefore making the two clauses into two separate sentences, by changing the comma to a semicolon, or by making one clause dependent by inserting a dependent marker word in front of it.

  6. Comma Splice Example Incorrect: I like this class, it is very interesting. Correct: I like this class. It is very interesting. (or) I like this class; it is very interesting. (or) I like this class, and it is very interesting. (or) I like this class because it is very interesting. (or) Because it is very interesting, I like this class.

  7. Run-On Sentence Run-on sentences happen when there are two independent clauses not separated by any form of punctuation. The error can sometimes be corrected by adding a period, semicolon, or colon to separate the two sentences.

  8. Run-On Examples Incorrect: My professor is intelligent I've learned a lot from her. Correct: My professor is intelligent. I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent; I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent, and I've learned a lot from her. (or) My professor is intelligent; moreover, I've learned a lot from her.

  9. Sentence Fragments Sentence fragments happen by treating a dependent clause or other incomplete thought as a complete sentence. You can usually fix this error by combining it with another sentence to make a complete thought or by removing the dependent marker.

  10. Fragments Examples Incorrect: Because I forgot the exam was today. Correct: Because I forgot the exam was today, I didn't study. (or) I forgot the exam was today.

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