Recognizing Complete Sentences

RECOGNIZING COMPLETE SENTENCES

Every complete sentence must contain 1) a verb,

2) a subject, and

3) must express a complete thought/idea.

Sentence Amelia likes salad and pasta. [Verb is underlined. Subject is boxed.]

Sentence The bus stopped for the train.

No sentence A tour of the factory at 10:00.

(no verb)

No sentence After the car crashed yesterday.

(incomplete thought)

Independent/Main Clauses

A group of words that contains at least one subject and one verb and that expresses a complete thought is called an independent, or main, clause. Every complete sentence contains at least one independent clause.

One independent clause Alfonso stood by the door of the gym.

Combining Independent Clauses

·  Sentences can combine independent clauses by using a comma and one of the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Two independent clauses: The computer was quite expensive, but Sue bought it anyway.

·  Sentences can also combine independent clauses using semicolons (;).

Independent clause; independent clause.

Often the semicolons are followed by one of these transitional expressions:

accordingly furthermore likewise second

as a result hence meanwhile still

consequently however moreover therefore

first indeed nevertheless thus

for example in fact next unfortunately

for instance instead otherwise

Two independent The bull pawed at the ground; it looked restless.

clauses:

Erika recognized the thief; however, she

refused to identify him.

Dependent/Subordinate Clauses

Dependent clauses are subject-verb combinations that begin with one of the following subordinating words:

Subordinating conjunctions Relative Pronouns

after if when that

although since whenever which

as so that where who(ever)

as if than wherever whom(ever)

as long as though while (and sometimes when or where)

because unless

even though until

Combining Independent and Dependent Clauses

Complete sentences may contain dependent clauses in addition to independent clauses. But a dependent clause without an independent clause is not a complete sentence. In the following sentences, the dependent clauses are underlined—notice how they cannot stand by themselves as complete sentences.

After we finish the game, we’ll meet for pizza.

I like the food at Bogart’s Restaurant although I dislike the atmosphere.

Sara, whom Ellis met at graduate school, was studying criminology.

Ø  When combining independent and dependent clauses, if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause, separate them with a comma. If the dependent clause comes after the dependent clause, you do not have to separate them with a comma.

Examples

Underline the verbs in the sentence and box the subjects. Then highlight the independent clause in each sentence.

1.  Environmental agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are having an impact on our neighborhood.

2.  For instance, I have noticed an electrical car that someone is driving around my small village.

3.  Auto companies like Ford and Honda are developing electrical cars because the government has set a deadline for their introduction.

4.  These cars are supposed to decrease the use of gasoline, which pollutes the environment.