Elements of a Complete Sentence Unit 1

Transcription

1 Elements of a Complete entence Unit 1 An independent clause is a clause containing a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. An independent clause can stand INDEPENDENT CLAUE by itself: teve excels in the classroom. INDEPENDENT CLAUE as part of a sentence: Because he studies regularly, teve excels in the classroom. TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUE joined in a compound sentence: teve is not a great athlete, but he excels in the classroom. A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence. DEPENDENT CLAUE as part of a sentence: Because he studies regularly, teve excels in the classroom. teve excels in the classroom because he studies regularly. AAAWWUBBI is an acronym to help you remember the basic subordinating conjunctions. An AAAWWUBBI turns a sentence/independent clause into a dependent clause. After Although As When/Whenever While Until/Unless Because Before If ince ENTENCE: I studied for the test. DEPENDENT CLAUE / FRAGMENT: Although I studied for the test. CORRECT: Although I studied for the test, I still did poorly. A phrase is a group of words that does not contain its own subject or verb. It cannot stand For the sake of brevity, we will focus on a few types of phrases that are generally set off by commas: participial phrases, absolute phrases, and appositive phrases. Participial phrases consist of a verb form ending in -en, -ed, or -ing that functions as an adjective. Participial phrases should always be placed next to the word or words that they are modifying. Ex. haken and disturbed, Aaron turned off the television. Absolute phrases may contain a subject but contain no acting verb. These type of phrases modify the whole sentence, not just a noun. These two types of phrases are the most likely to be set off with commas. Ex. Aaron stared down at the floor, his hands shaking and his heart racing. Appositive phrases restate, redefine, or rename a noun. An appositive phrase should always be placed next to the word or words that it modifies. Ex. Mr. tevens, my psychology teacher, is an interesting man. MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 1

2 A sentence fragment is a group of words that is not a complete sentence. ometimes, writers will intentionally use fragments in a piece of literature. However, in most formal compositions, we want to avoid unintended sentence fragments. 1. Missing subject or verb FRAGMENT: The guard near the entrance. What is the guard doing? (no verb) FRAGMENT: Changed into new clothes. Who changed into new clothes? (no subject) 2. Dependent clause (AAAWWUBBI) left alone COMMON CAUE OF A ENTENCE FRAGMENT FRAGMENT: Because I really enjoy football. CORRECT: Because I really enjoy football, I m going to purchase Lions season tickets. 3. PHRAE left alone FRAGMENT: tranded in the middle of a darkening forest. Laura desperately searched for civilization. CORRECT: tranded in the middle of a darkening forest, Laura desperately searched for civilization. FRAGMENT: Hoping that his mother would soon arrive. CORRECT: Hoping that his mother would soon arrive, teve fiddled and paced impatiently. FRAGMENT: Mark slipped away. Leaving his empty cereal bowl on the table. CORRECT: Mark slipped away, leaving his empty cereal bowl on the table. 4. Generally, try to avoid beginning a sentence with And, Which, But, Or, uch as... unless you're doing it KNOWINGLY and with a PURPOE. FRAGMENT: teve graciously stopped and waited for Leeann. Which impressed her mother greatly. CORRECT: teve graciously stopped and waited for Leeann, which impressed her mother greatly. FRAGMENT: Many problems infest our cities. uch as crime, a crumbling infrastructure, home foreclosures, and poor public services. CORRECT: Many problems infest our cities, such as crime, a crumbling infrastructure, home foreclosures, and poor public services. DIRECTION: Identify the boldfaced portion as either an independent clause (IC), a dependent clause (DC), or a phrase (P). 1. Until his mother arrived, teve paced impatiently. 2. Hoping that his mother would arrive soon, teve paced impatiently. 3. The students worked on their tests while the teacher graded papers. 4. teve, pacing impatiently, hoped that his mother would arrive soon. 5. Until his mother arrived, teve paced impatiently. 6. His arms shaking nervously at his sides, teve paced impatiently. 7. The students worked on their tests while the teacher graded papers. 8. Mr. Jones, a well-respected and experienced teacher, wished to become a school counselor. DIRECTION: Identify each boldfaced word group as a sentence () or a fragment (F). 9. Joe dribbled up court. His sparkling new Nikes squeaking with each cut. 10. Joe dribbled up court, his sparkling new Nikes squeaking with each cut. 11. While I wiped the windows. Jackson vacuumed the interior. 12. Lawrence looked my father in the eye and firmly grasped his hand. Which impressed my father greatly. 13. tared at the gun in the criminal s hand. 14. Anger erupted. MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 2

3 Elements of a Complete entence 1.1a Activating Background Knowledge: Fill in the blanks. An clause contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. It can stand A clause contains a subject and a verb, but it does not contain a complete thought. A is a word group that does not contain its own subject and verb. It cannot stand The acronym AAAWWUBBI helps you to remember the subordinating conjunctions. If you put an AAAWWUBBI in front of a sentence, the sentence becomes a clause. If you leave a dependent clause or a phrase by itself, what sentence error do you create? After Although As When / Whenever While Until Because Before If ince DIRECTION: Identify the boldfaced portion as either an independent clause (IC), a dependent clause (DC), or a phrase (P). 1. After you finish your schoolwork, you may go to the mall. 2. Praying that the storm would hold off, Brian hurriedly packed his camping supplies. 3. You may go to the mall after you finish your schoolwork. 4. Brian, praying that the storm would hold off, hurriedly packed his camping supplies. 5. Brian, praying that the storm would hold off, hurriedly packed his camping supplies.. DIRECTION: Identify each word group as a sentence () or a fragment (F). 6. His eyes glistening with fresh tears. 7. His eyes glistened with fresh tears. 8. Although I would never admit that my brother actually had a point. 9. Which is the reason why my father no longer hunts. 10. Rob slept. ENTENCE CONTRUCTION: Use the visual and written model(s) provided to help you construct your own sentence(s). A sentence doesn't have to be long. It just needs to have a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. ubject verb +. Model entence: Anger flared. 11. Your entence: ometimes a subject may come after the verb. erb + subject. Model entence: Hidden from view was my mother s purse. Here is your fifth grade class photo. 12. Your entence: MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 3

4 Conventions Review 1.1b In any sentence, the subject and verb must agree. This simply means that the correct verb form must be used depending upon whether the subject is singular or plural. Usually, native speakers don't even have to think about subject-verb agreement. If it's wrong, it sounds really wrong. For example, if someone says, "Joe and I is going to the store," that just doesn t sound right. However, there are some circumstances in which subject-verb agreement errors are trickier to notice. A subject and a verb that are separated must agree. Compound subjects (joined by and) take plural verbs. A present tense plural verb does NOT end in s. His social status, along with his income, is going to take a hit. The audience of teenagers is about to explode. Joe s lack of ambition and his poor energy level eventually cause his girlfriends to dump him. The principal s kindness and strength make him a good leader. Gary and I take turns. If the subject of the sentence is a singular indefinite pronoun, use a singular verb form. INGULAR INDEFINITE PRONOUN: each one no one anybody every everybody everyone nobody someone either anyone neither somebody Nobody here knows the answer. Everyone is here. The men bring shovels. Each of the men brings a shovel. The workers are attending the meeting. One of the workers is attending the meeting. (men is plural) (each is singular) DIRECTION: Correct the errors in subject-verb agreement in the following sentences. Fix any other word errors that you notice. 1. Each of the boys are going to be bringing a gift to you re party. 2. Joe s intelligence and curiosity makes him a good leader for there company. 3. One of the cars have lost it s bumper. 4. Its a well-known fact that neither of the boys like football. 5. A carton of eggs are on the counter. Your going to need to put it in the refrigerator. 6. Their is the hammer and the drill that we need. MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 4

5 Elements of a Complete entence 1.2a Activating Background Knowledge: Fill in the blanks. An clause contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. It can stand A clause contains a subject and a verb, but it does not contain a complete thought. This is why a dependent clause cannot stand A is a word group that does not contain its own subject and verb. It cannot stand The acronym AAAWWUBBI helps you to remember the subordinating conjunctions. If you put an AAAWWUBBI in front of a sentence, the sentence becomes a clause. If you leave a dependent clause or a phrase by itself, what sentence error do you create? After Although As When / Whenever While Until Because Before If ince DIRECTION: Identify the boldfaced portion as either an independent clause (IC), a dependent clause (DC), or a phrase (P). 1. If you have the chance, talk to Mr. tevens about your grade. 2. His mind wandering from subject to subject, Antoine found it hard to complete his math homework. 3. He quickly stood up and left the room, leaving his briefcase behind. 4. It will be difficult to succeed unless you try. 5. It will be difficult for Robert, a spoiled kid from a wealthy family, to make it through basic training. DIRECTION: Identify each word group as a sentence () or a fragment (F). 6. The storm brewing in the west. 7. A small but determined man, Morgan refused to back down to anyone. 8. uch as the problems that you ve had with your cousins. 9. Because the storm is gathering in the west. 10. The clouds parted. ENTENCE CONTRUCTION: Use the visual and written model(s) provided to help you construct your own sentence(s) Use commas to set off items in a series. ente n, c, and e. Model entence: John walked in the room, sat at his computer, and said nothing. 11. Your entence: A phrase cannot stand However, you can use a phrase as an opener. Phrase opener,. independent clause Model entence: Tired and listless, I sprawled out on the couch. 12. Your entence MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 5

6 Elements of a Complete entence 1.2b DIRECTION: Revise the following sentence fragments so that they are all complete sentences. Fix any other agreement or word errors that you notice. A. Unless you start the party at 7 PM. Neither of the boys are going to be their. B. One of the boys water the garden every day. Which is a major reason why its so healthy this year. C. Determination, strength, and intelligence is essential. If your going to succeed in business. MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 6

7 Elements of a Complete entence 1.3a Activating Background Knowledge: Fill in the blanks. The acronym AAAWWUBBI helps you to remember the subordinating conjunctions. If you put an AAAWWUBBI in front of a sentence, the sentence becomes a clause. Use the acronym below to help you list some of the subordinating conjunctions. A A A W W U B B I If you leave a dependent clause or a phrase by itself, what sentence error do you create? DIRECTION: Identify the boldfaced portion as either an independent clause (IC), a dependent clause (DC), or a phrase (P). 1. After I finish helping you, I will work with your sister. 2. The singer began the anthem while the crowd stood at attention. 3. As I slept, Marlena worked on her project. 4. My brother, a quiet but kindhearted person, enjoys woodworking. DIRECTION: Identify each word group as a sentence () or a fragment (F). 5. If I had a million dollars to spend on anything I wanted. 6. His mouth watering at the thought of the feast that was on the way. 7. Chaos reigned. 8. Which helped my brother pay off his house early. If a sentence starts with an AAAWWUBBI, it will create a dependent clause or a phrase. A phrase or dependent clause cannot stand alone, but can be used as an "opener." Dependent clause opener, independent clause. Model entence: Until the driveway is repaired, we will have to park in the street. 9. Your entence: A phrase cannot stand However, you can use a phrase as a closer. Independent clause phrase, closer. Model entence: Bobby walked down the avenue in a state of ecstasy, his eyes rapidly surveying each of the skyscrapers towering above him. 10. Your entence: MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 7

8 Conventions Review 1.3b DIRECTION: One of these examples is correct. Each of the other examples contains one error. Identify which sentence is correct and explain why. Be prepared to explain why the other examples won t work. A. Although your understandably frustrated with how long it s taking to fix your truck, I want you to know that Joe and Anthony are doing their best under difficult circumstances. B. Although you re understandably frustrated with how long it s taking to fix your truck. I want you to know that the mechanics are doing their best under difficult circumstances. C. Although you re understandably frustrated with how long its taking to fix your truck, I want you to know that the mechanics are doing their best under difficult circumstances. D. Although you re understandably frustrated with how long it s taking to fix your truck, I want you to know that the mechanics are doing there best under difficult circumstances. E. Although you re understandably frustrated with how long it s taking to fix your truck, I want you to know that Joe and Allen is doing their best under difficult circumstances. F. I know you re frustrated, but each of the mechanics is working diligently to fix your car on time. G. Working diligently to finish your car on time. Both Joe and Allen have been staying late. H. A team of mechanics are working to finish your car on time. The best answer is because. MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 8

9 Elements of a Complete entence 1.4a Activating Background Knowledge: Fill in the blanks. Define independent clause: Define dependent clause: Define phrase: The acronym AAAWWUBBI helps you to remember the subordinating conjunctions. If you put an AAAWWUBBI in front of a sentence, the sentence becomes a clause. If you leave a dependent clause or phrase by itself, what sentence error do you create? After Although As When / Whenever While Until Because Before If ince DIRECTION: Identify the boldfaced portion as either an independent clause (IC), a dependent clause (DC), or a phrase (P). 1. Her cellphone having sunk to the bottom of the lake, Jenna had no way to contact her parents. 2. I will visit Uncle Earl as soon as I get off of work. 3. The home, a cozy ranch-style dwelling built in the 1950 s, could no longer accommodate the growing family. 4. I will visit Uncle Earl as soon as I get off of work. 5. The home, a cozy ranch-style dwelling built in the 1950 s, could no longer accommodate the growing family. DIRECTION: Identify each word group as a sentence () or a fragment (F). 6. When I arrive in Los Angeles. 7. Their dreams vanishing before their eyes. 8. The bill passed. 9. uch as drug dependency, alcoholism, and obesity. 10. The boy standing on the corner of the dead end street. A phrase cannot stand However, you can use a phrase as an opener. Phrase opener,. independent clause Model entence: My legs tired and my feet aching, I searched for somewhere to rest. 11. Your entence A sentence doesn't have to be long. It just needs to have a subject, a verb, and a complete thought. ubject verb +. Model entence: Chaos reigned. 12. Your entence: MECHANIC INTRUCTION THAT TICK - 9