Home ] Up ] Resources ] Grammar & Usage ] Lesson Plans ] Writing ] Dictionaries ] CATT ] Vocabulary ]

 

ENG THE CLAUSE
WRITING CLAUSES


An incomplete sentence or SENTENCE FRAGMENT, is often a
subordinate clause. It looks like a sentence and has a noun and a
verb, but it doesn't state a complete thought. An INDEPENDENT
CLAUSE
is a complete sentence and a SUBORDINATE CLAUSE is merely an
independent clause with a SUBORDINATOR on the front of it. 

Some common subordinators are when, because, then, as if, while, since
and inasmuch (please turn to p. 524 in your blue texts).

EXERCISE 1

Convert each of the independent clauses to a sentence fragment by
inserting a subordinator.

example: She is helping at home.
When she is helping at home.

1- Grandpa knew the man.

2- The television is on the table.

3- The earth goes around the sun.

4- I decided to move to Toronto.

5- The job opportunities were limited.


The correction for a sentence fragment, such as the ones that
you created above, is to add an independent clause after, or
before, the fragment to complete it.


EXERCISE 2

Add an independent clause to each of the fragments that you created
above to make each a complete thought. When you are finished,
volunteer to write the entire construction on the board.

example: When she is helping at home, the work is finished sooner.
The work is finished sooner, when she is helping at home.


Home / Lessons