Recognizing Independent and Dependent clauses

• English
• Vocational Education

Learning Objectives EN3

• Identifying an independent clause

-> simple sentences

• identifying a dependent clause

-> compound sentences
-> complex sentences

Sentence types and forms

Sentences can be placed into categories based on meaning and structure.

                                  Types:                                                                 Forms:

Declarative    ->  statement

Imperative     ->  command

Interrogative ->  question

Exclamatory  ->  strong feeling

Simple sentence

Compound sentence

Complex sentence

The Simple Sentence

1. A simple sentence contains a subject and a verb and expresses one complete thought.
2. Because a simple sentence meets these criteria and can stand on its own, it is an INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
3. In a simple sentence, the subject, the verb, or both may be compound.
4. A simple sentence can be a statement, a question, a command or an exclamation.

Examples of Simple sentences:

1. Managers plan activities.
2. Switzerland leads the world in farm subsidies.
3. Who leads the world in farm subsidies?
4. Sign the new account agreement immediately!
5. Megan failed.
6. Megan and Jake failed.
7. Megan and Jake cheated and failed.

The Compound sentence

1. Writing with only simple sentences can lead to dull writing. 
2. Complex ideas often need a more complex sentence structure for developed expression.
3. By combining two simple sentences together by using a comma (,) and one of the following coordinating conjunctions: But, Or, Yet, For, And, Nor, So (BOYFANS), we create a COMPOUND SENTENCE.
4. A compound sentence consists of two simple sentences (2 independent clauses) linked together with a coordinating conjunction and a comma.

Examples of Compound sentences

1. Bibi likes watching TV, but she prefers going to the movies.
2. Maurice loves fishing, so he goes to the lake as often as possible.
3. His girlfriend Liz doesn't like fishing, but she enjoys riding in the boat.
4. Mel wanted to go hiking, but Rhonda wanted to read a book.
5. The game was exciting, but the weather was cold and rainy.

BOYFANS

1. But      -> Use to connect two simple sentences that have contrasting meanings.
2. Or         -> Use to combine two simple sentences that involve a choice.
3. Yet       -> Use to combine two simple sentences that have contrasting meanings.
4. For       -> Use to combine two simple sentences that involve a reason.
5. And      -> Use to combine two simple sentences that involve adding one idea to another.
6. Nor       -> Use when the first simple sentence is in the negative and you want to combine it with another simple sentence.
7. So         -> Use to combine two simple sentences that show result.

Combine the following simple sentences.
Use the coordinating conjunction: but

Flowers are very beautiful. Buying them can be expensive.

Combine the following simple sentences.
Use the coordinating conjunction: so

Bicycling is good exercise. Try to ride at least three times a week.

Combine the following simple sentences.
Choose an appropriate coordinating conjunction.

Fish is very tasty. Too much sauce can mask its taste.

The dependent clause

A dependent clause may contain a subject and a verb, but it cannot stand alone as a sentence; it is DEPENDENT on an independent clause for completeness.

A dependent clause does not have sufficient meaning to allow it to stand alone as a complete idea.

Connecting ideas

You now know the technique of linking ideas together using coordinating conjunctions (BOYFANS) in compound sentences.

Another way to connect ideas is to use subordinating conjunctions. Sentences with subordinating conjunctions are  called COMPLEX SENTENCES. 

The complex sentence

A complex sentence contains an independent clause and a dependent clause.

A dependent clause also has a subject and a verb, but it does not have sufficient meaning to be able to stand alone. It needs the independent clause to complete its meaning.

The complex sentence (continued)

When a subordinating conjunction is used to combine clauses, two independent clauses are written side by side.

Each of the independent clauses can stand on its own but each is related to the other.

To show primary importance to one clause, you will have to make one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause by using a subordinating conjunction.

Coordinating vs. subordinating conjunctions

1. Coordinating conjunctions, like subordinating conjunctions, are used to join independent clauses.
2. However, coordinating conjunctions give the SAME emphasis to both clauses.
3. Subordinating conjunctions deemphasize one clause by turning it into a dependent clause.
4. This process is called subordination.

Commonly used subordinating conjunctions

as

because

since

Reason

Contrast

although

through

even though

Condition

whether

if

unless

Time

until

whenever

while

Result

so that

Example sentence + explanation:

                                              The ship returned to port. Its propeller was broken.

The information in each independent clause is considered important. However, in reality, the first clause is more important. It is more important to know that the ship had to return to port, then that the propeller is broken.

Why? The company (owner) needs to know that their cargo was returned and not delivered. 

They may have to make arrangements quickly, or they might lose money.

To let the reader know which clause is more important, you can make one of the independent clauses into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction to the front of the clause.

Example sentence + explanation (continued)

Its propeller was broken -> this is the less important independent clause.

Now, change it into a dependent clause by adding the appropriate subordinating conjunction.

Because its propeller was broken.

Now, this clause cannot stand on its own anymore because it does not have sufficient meaning! It is DEPENDENT on the independent clause for its complete meaning.

     The ship returned to port  because  its propeller was broken.

indep. clause ^             sub. conj. ^               dep. clause ^

Subordination

Subordination is the process of making one idea to be of lesser importance than another idea. Subordination is commonly done when there are two independent clauses and the writer wants one main idea to be emphasized.

Now it's your turn!

underline the independent clause once, the dependent clause twice, and circle the subordinating conjunction.

1. The crowd raced for their cars after the football game was over. 
2. The teenagers partied each day while their parents were away.
3. Until the ozone layer is protected, harmful radiation will cause more skin cancer.
4. The surgery was successful although the patient remained ill for weeks.
5. Before an earthquake sends tremors through the ground, animals can somehow sense it is going to happen.
6. She rarely takes vacations because she is the CEO.