A list of terms and their definitions is located below.
Rules:
To join independent clauses within a sentence use a coordinating conjunctionand a comma.
Examples:
She enjoys going to the movies, and she likes the theater popcorn.
I’m going to do my English homework tonight, or I’ll go to the movies.
The princess is trapped in the tower, for there is a dragon in the keep.
Independent clauses may be joined without a connecting word, in which case it is necessary to use a semicolon (not a comma).
Examples:
She enjoys going to the movies; she likes the theater popcorn.
My car wouldn’t start today; it needs to go into the shop.
The princess is trapped in the tower; there is a dragon in the keep.
When relative pronouns are used to join independent clauses into a single sentence, a semi-colon is needed before the relative pronoun and a comma is needed after it.
Examples:
Katie studied four hours on Sunday night for the exam; however, the noise in the dorm distracted her.
Alvin’s car broke down on the expressway this morning; consequently, he missed the midterm exam.
The cat has been let out of the bag; therefore, things will never be the same.
Errors:
The Comma Splice
A comma splice is when two independent clauses are joined with a comma.
Here’s an example of a comma splice.
Wrong:
I love going to Starbuck’s, they have great coffee.
Right:
I love going to Starbuck’s; they have great coffee.
I love going to Starbuck’s. They have great coffee.
I love going to Starbuck’s, and they have great coffee.
I love going to Starbuck’s; moreover, they have great coffee.
Fused Sentence, also known as Run-On Sentence
Fused sentences occur when two or more independent clauses are joined into one sentence without any form of punctuation.
Here are examples of run-on sentences:
Practices were completely crazy nothing was accomplished.
That's just stupid who would actually tell on themselves.
A person can gain a great deal from experiencing new things it can also lead them to finding out things about themselves.
Wrong:
My professor is the best I’ve learned a lot from her.
Right:
My professor is the best; I’ve learned a lot from her.
My professor is the best. I’ve learned a lot from her.
My professor is the best, and I’ve learned a lot from her.
My professor is the best; furthermore, I’ve learned a lot from her.
Sentence Fragment
A sentence fragment, also called an incomplete sentence, is the use of a dependent clause as a complete sentence.
It is easily fixed. Remember the dependent marker? By removing the dependent marker the sentence fragment becomes complete.
Here’s an example of a sentence fragment.
Wrong: Because I forgot her birthday.
Right: I forgot her birthday.
You can also combine the sentence fragment with another independent clause (sentence) to make the sentence complete.
Right: She’s mad at me because I forgot her birthday.
Definitions:
Independent clause - is a portion of a sentence that could stand alone as a sentence. They have both a subject and a verb and express a complete thought.
Examples:
She enjoys going to the movies.
She likes the theater popcorn.
Dependent clause - looks like a sentence, in that it has a subject and a verb, but it does not express a complete thought.
Examples:
When she went to the movies...
After she ate the theater popcorn...
Subordinating conjunction - is a word that, when added to the start of an independent clause (complete sentence), transforms it into a dependent clause (incomplete sentence). It’s also known as a dependent marker word.
Examples:
When she went to the movies...
After she ate the theater popcorn...
Coordinating conjunction - are used as connections to join two independent clauses into one sentence. There are seven coordinating conjunctions. Memorize them.
and
but
for
or
nor
yet
so
Relative pronouns are words that can be used at the beginning of a single sentence and be used to join independent clauses. They’re also known as independent marker words. Examples include: