What is a clause?
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb. It
can be either independent or dependent (subordinate).
What is an independent clause?
An independent clause can stand alone as a complete grammatical
sentence. It contains the main subject and verb of the sentence. It may
or may not have an object. Also remember, in English, the
sentence order is Subject, Verb, (Object). For example:
The
cat
is
in the room.
Subject
Verb
Prepositional Phrase Showing Place
John
hit
his sister.
Subject
Verb
Object
What is a dependent (or subordinate) clause?
A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a grammatical sentence because
of an extra element that changes an independent clause into a dependent
clause. It must always be connected to an independent clause. For
example:
Extra
element + Independent
clause
= Dependent clause
Because
I
was
late
Subject
Verb
Adjective
Extra
element + Independent
clause
= Dependent clause
When
I
miss
the bus
Subject
Verb
Object
The following sentences are examples of dependent clauses connected to independent clauses:
Dependent
clause
+
Independent
clause
= Complex Sentence
Because I was late
I
had to run all the way to school.
Independent
clause
+
Dependent
clause
= Complex Sentence
I must
drive to school
when
I miss the bus.
What is a sentence fragment?
A sentence fragment is not syntactically complete. It may express
a complete idea, but it does not follow standard, grammatical sentence
structure. To correct these fragments, add the missing
component. The following are examples of this type of sentence
fragment:
Fragments may also be a dependent clause and, therefore, cannot stand alone as a grammatical sentence. To correct these fragments, combine them with an independent clause or change them into an independent clause. The following are examples of this type of sentence fragment:
What is a run-on sentence?
A run-on sentence is two independent clauses with neither proper
punctuation nor a conjunction between them. To correct these
run-on sentences, add a semi-colon, a period, or a comma and a
coordinating conjunction. The following are examples of this type
of run-on sentence:
Another type of run-on is a comma splice. This sentence has two or more independent clauses joined by a comma but not with a coordinating conjunction. To correct these run-on sentences, separate them with a semicolon, a period, or add a coordinating conjunction after the comma. The following are examples of this type of run-on sentence.
