[scheduled:: 2025-01-08]

Sentences

Read BFLAN p. 2-7

Topics

Readings and Examples

Good explanation of how to differentiate independent clauses and dependent clauses

FANBOYS (forandnorbutoryetso)

Phrases and clauses

Phrases and clauses are both groups of words that work together in a sentence. The difference is that a clause has a subject and a verb—often, a clause could be a sentence if it were all by itself, and when it could be, we call it a main clause or an independent clause.

Independent Clause

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 Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz.

Dependent Clause

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. Often a dependent clause is marked by a dependent marker word.

When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz . . . (What happened when he studied? The thought is incomplete.)

Subordinate Clause

Subordinate clauses are just another name for Dependent Clauses. They get their name from the fact that they always start with a subordinating conjunction such as since, because, although, and while.

Media resources

Review Questions , Chapter BFLAN ch. 1