The Reading and Writing Haven. The Reading & Writing

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1 The Reading and Writing Haven

2 The thing is To understand complex sentences, you must first have a good understanding of dependent clauses.

3 DEPENDENT/SUBORDINATING CLAUSE A group of words that contains a subject and a verb but that is a fragment Begins with subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun SC Example: Even though she kisses turtles RP Example: Whomever loves turtles more

4 Dependent/subordinating clauses A dependent clause will begin with: a subordinating conjunction because, although, even if, after, even though, since, until, or a relative pronoun who, whom, which, where, that, when, whichever, wherever, whoever, though, unless What did you say??? It will NOT form a complete sentence. Readers will want additional information to finish the thought.

5 COMPLEX SENTENCES Sentences are called complex (CX) if they are composed of ONE dependent clause and ONE independent clause. Formula: Complex Sentence = 1 Dependent Clause + 1 Independent Clause Example: I do not like green eggs and ham because I dislike food coloring.

6 Differences between sentences Simple sentence: 1 independent clause Compound sentence: 1 independent clause + 1 independent clause Complex sentence: 1 independent clause + 1 dependent clause or 1 dependent clause + 1 independent clause

7 Simple sentence (1 independent clause) Ex. Gus-Gus is a happy mouse. Compound sentence ( 1 ind. clause + 1 ind. clause) Ex. Gus-Gus is a happy mouse, but he has quite a temper. Complex sentence (1 ind. clause + 1 dep. clause) Ex. Gus Gus attempted to get the cheese from Rusifer even though Rusifer was much bigger and meaner.

8 PRACTICE TIME! Underline the dependent clause in each sentence. Then, label the subject and verb in each dependent clause Turtles have a hard shell that protects them like a shield. Many turtles can hide their heads inside their shells when they are attacked by predators. 3. Young turtles who make their way to the top of the sand and scramble to the water are trying to avoid predators. 4. Sea turtles have special glands, which help remove salt from the water they drink. Sea turtles lumber around incredibly slowly and have wrinkly, bald heads that make them look like wise old men. 5.

9 KEY Underline the dependent clause in each sentence. Then, label the subject and verb in each dependent clause Turtles have a hard shell that protects them like a shield. Many turtles can hide their heads inside their shells when they are attacked by predators. 3. Young turtles who make their way to the top of the sand and scramble to the water are trying to avoid predators. 4. Sea turtles have special glands, which help remove salt from the water they drink. Sea turtles lumber around incredibly slowly and have wrinkly, bald heads that make them look like wise old men. 5.

10 PRACTICE TIME! Punctuate each sentence correctly. Some sentences need commas; others do not After Amy baked the birthday cake she served it to her guests. Once Adam smashed the spider his girlfriend was calm. This little boy is the one who ate handfuls of cereal with his bare hands. These kids skipped the class before lunch so that they could go to Taco Bell. The town where I grew up which is called Sandwich is located in the United States.

11 KEY Punctuate each sentence correctly. Some sentences need commas; others do not After Amy baked the birthday cake, she served it to her guests. Once Adam smashed the spider, his girlfriend was calm. This little boy is the one who ate handfuls of cereal with his bare hands. These kids skipped the class before lunch so that they could go to Taco Bell. The town where I grew up, which is called Sandwich, is located in the United States.

12 PRACTICE TIME! Identify whether each of the following sentences is simple (S), compound (CD), or complex (CX). 1. The dog barked and yowled while the rabbit chewed. 2. A student who is hungry would never pass up a hamburger. The dog and the cat howled and yowled. 4. The dog asked the cat to be his homecoming date, but the cat turned him down The cat said no; consequently, the dog felt sad.

13 KEY 1. (CX) The dog barked and yowled while the rabbit chewed. 2. (CX) A student who is hungry would never pass up a hamburger. 3. (S) The dog and the cat howled and yowled. 4. (CD) The dog asked the cat to be his homecoming date, but the cat turned him down. 5. (CD) The cat said no; consequently, the dog felt sad.