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4430395-113030Dependent and Independent ClausesTo write great sentences, you must know how to use dependent and independent clauses properly. Confused? Never fear-this lesson is here to help you! What's the rule? An independent clause is a group of words-with a subject and a verb-that can stand on its own as a sentence.I went to the park. A dependent clause is a group of words-with a subject and a verb-that cannot stand on its own as a sentence. When I went to the park . . . .. . . where I planned to have a picnic. When a dependent clause comes before an independent clause connect them by using a comma.When I went to the park, I planned to have a picnic.When a dependent clause follows an independent clause, no comma is needed.I went to the park when I wanted to have a picnic. Connect two independent clauses with a conjunction or with a semicolon (never with only a comma).I didn't go to the park, but I still plan to have a picnic.I went to the park; I planned to have a picnic there. Sentence FragmentsSentence fragments are incomplete sentences. Sometimes they're used to answer questions. At other times, they get off to a good start and then seem to trail off. Either way, sentence fragments are incorrect. Let's look at a few examples: Some sentence fragments can actually be fixed by putting them together with another fragment or sentence. I have many chores. Such as cleaning my room, washing the car, and cleaning out the garage. This can become:I have many chores, such as cleaning my room, washing the car, and cleaning out the garage. Some sentence fragments sound like answers to questions. Why were you late today? Because our car got stuck in the mud. That second sentence is incomplete. You can fix it in two ways: We were late because our car got stuck in the mud.Our car got stuck in the mud. You may sometimes see sentence fragments when you read books or news articles. Writers sometimes use them to emphasize points. In general, though, fragments are incorrect, and you should avoid them. Types of SentencesThere are four different types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. What's the difference between them? What's the rule? Declarative: this is a sentence that makes a statement. It ends with a period. These are used the most often. There are 280 million people living in the United States. Interrogative: this is a question. Why are there so many people in the United States? Imperative: this is a sentence that tells someone what to do; it is an order. They can end with a period or an exclamation mark. Find out how many people are in the United States. Exclamatory: this is similar to the declarative, but it is more forceful. Often it shows excitement. An exclamation point is used to show the excitement. Simple SentencesThere are a few different kinds of sentences. When they are first learning to speak, kids usually start by using simple sentences. They are, after all, the simplest of all the sentences. Okay, but what makes a sentence a simple sentence? A simple sentence contains just one independent clause. It usually has at least one subject and predicate. The rain fell.The rain fell quickly on the grass. Compound SentencesA compound sentence has two or more independent clauses (clauses that can stand on their own as sentences) joined by conjunctions, like "and," "but," and "or." You can also join two independent clauses with a semicolon. My friends went to the basketball game, but I didn't want to go.I didn't feel too well; I went to bed early. Complex SentencesA complex sentence contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In other words, one clause cannot stand alone as a sentence, and its meaning depends on the independent clause. Although my friends invited me to the basketball game, I didn't want to go. In a complex sentence, the independent clause is clearly the more important part of the sentence. That's because the dependent clause starts with a subordinating conjunction (here it's although). Subordinating conjunctions make a clause less important than the other clause or clauses in the sentence. Compound-Complex SentencesRemember, the four types of sentences in English are simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. Using the different kinds of sentences puts variety in your writing. That lets you say what you want to say clearly, and it keeps your reader interested. A compound-complex sentence is a combination of compound and complex sentences. It may have many clauses, but it must have: Two independent clauses-like a compound sentence One dependent clause-making it a complex sentence When we go on vacation, we'll rent a boat, and we'll explore the Florida Keys. It can have more independent clauses and more dependent clauses.Simple, Compound, and Complex SentencesYou've just read about the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences. Let's review quickly, and then find out if you can tell the difference between the three types of sentences. Simple sentences: These contain just one independent clause.The rain fell. Compound sentences: These have at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction, like "and," "but," and "or."The rain fell, but the day was hot. Complex sentences: These contain one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. While the rain fell, I used my umbrella. ................
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