Let’s Talk About Grammar!

Clauses

Let’s talk about

CLAUSES!
What’s the deal with clauses?
An independent clause must have a subject (the “what”) and a predicate (the “did
what”). It must express a complete thought. Independent clauses can stand on their
own as complete sentences.

What did what.

The dog jumped.
I laughed.
A dependent clause is not a complete thought; it is either missing information that
completes the idea or starts with a subordinating conjunction.

Some Subordinating Conjunctions:

Let’s Practice! After

Although
In order to
Once
Unless
Until
As Provided that When
Are these clauses independent or dependent? Because Rather than Whenever
Before Since Where
Circle “I” for independent or “D” for dependent. Despite So that Whereas
Even If Than Wherever
1. “Although I like going to the movies.” I D Even though That Whether
If Though While
2. “Elephants are my favorite animal.” I D
3. “The Yankees are a better baseball team than the Rangers.” I D
4. “Because he broke his left arm.” I D
5. “Whenever I get too tired.” I D
6. “Once you finish your dinner.” I D
7. “He waited until the sun came out.” I D
8. “My cat is being crazy today!” I D
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Let’s Talk About Grammar! Clauses

Connecting Clauses
There are some specific rules when it comes to connecting independent and
dependent clauses with each other. For now, let’s imagine clauses like this:

Independent clauses are strong and can stand alone. They can “pull” more
than dependent clauses.

Dependent clauses are strong not as strong; they might need a bit of help
when “pulling” the rest of the sentences.

Commas can be protein shakes. They can give clauses a little bit of extra
strength.

Semicolons ( ; ) and coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS, + a comma) are

reinforcing chains. They can connect the strongest clauses and make sure they
won’t break.

Now, we know that independent clauses are “stronger” than dependent clauses.
We know that commas can help boost a clause when we connect them. We know
that semicolons or coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) with a
comma can connect strong clauses together. What does this look like in action?

To keep our analogy going, let’s imagine that the first

clause in a sentence “pulls” the second clause along.

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Let’s Talk About Grammar! Clauses

#1 – independent + dependent
The independent clause is strong enough to pull the
dependent one all by himself; there is no need for a comma
or conjunction.
“I am not going to school today because I am sick.”

#2 – dependent + independent
The dependent clause isn’t strong enough to pull the
independent clause; he needs a comma, or a protein shake,
as a boost.

“Because I am sick, I am not going to school today.”

#3 – independent + independent
Since both clauses are strong, the connection needs to be
reinforced with FANBOYS + a comma or a semicolon.
“I am sick, so I am not going to school today.”
“I am not going into school today; I am sick.”

#4 – dependent + dependent
Because they cannot stand alone, we cannot
Even though
Because connect two dependent clauses.
these shakes
we’re
are yummy!
weaker.

REMEMBER THIS!
You can tell if a clause is dependent by looking for subordinating
conjunctions. If the clause can stand alone by itself, it’s
independent.

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Let’s Talk About Grammar! Clauses

Label the clauses as “I” for Let’s Practice!

independent and “D” for dependent. Then, add conjunctions or punctuation, if
necessary, to connect the clauses properly. The first clause in each sentence in
underlined.
1. Whereas you like the Texas Rangers I like the New York Yankees.
2. Derek Jeter was my favorite player I am sad that he retired.
3. I’m going to cheer for the Rangers today even though I am not a fan.
4. Before I moved to Texas none of my friends were Rangers fans.
5. If you want to you can come to the game with me!
6. I’m sure the Rangers will win because the Red Sox aren’t very good.
7. That was a great hit there’s another run for the Rangers!
8. Because the outfielder caught the ball the Red Sox batter is out.
9. The Rangers will win provided that they score another run.
10.That was a home run the Rangers win!

Your Turn: Baseball Practice

Write three sentences about your favorite sport using the proper punctuation and/or
conjunctions. One should be independent + dependent, another dependent +
independent, and the last one independent + independent. Label your clauses!
1. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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Let’s Talk About Grammar! Clauses

Let’s talk about

CLAUSES!
Let’s Practice #1
Are these clauses independent or dependent? Circle “I” for independent or “D” for
dependent.
9. “Although I like going to the movies.” I D
10.“Elephants are my favorite animal.” I D
11.“The Yankees are a better baseball team than the Rangers.” I D
12.“Because he broke his left arm.” I D
13.“Whenever I get too tired.” I D
14.“Once you finish your dinner.” I D
15.“He waited until the sun came out.” I D
16.“My cat is being crazy today!” I D

Let’s Practice #2
Label the clauses as “I” for independent and “D” for dependent. Then, add
conjunctions or punctuation, if necessary, to connect the clauses properly. The first
clause in each sentence in underlined. KEY – INDEPENDENT in yellow, DEPENDENT
in green.

11.Whereas you like the Texas Rangers, I like the New York Yankees. (Add comma)
12.Derek Jeter was my favorite player, so I am sad that he retired. (Semicolon or
appropriate FANBOYS + comma)

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Let’s Talk About Grammar! Clauses

13.I’m going to cheer for the Rangers today even though I am not a fan. (No
change)
14.Before I moved to Texas, none of my friends were Rangers fans. (Add comma)
15.If you want to, you can come to the game with me! (Add comma)
16.I’m sure the Rangers will win because the Red Sox aren’t very good. (No
change)
17.That was a great hit; there’s another run for the Rangers! (Semicolon or other
appropriate FANBOY + comma)
18.Because the outfielder caught the ball, the Red Sox batter is out. (Add comma)
19.The Rangers will win provided that they score another run. (No change)
20.That was a home run, and the Rangers win! (Semicolon or other appropriate
FANBOY + comma)

Your Turn: Baseball Practice

Answers will vary.

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