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Punctuation:Clauses

ENG 141

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Beginning Punctuation

GOALS Distinguish between

– Phrases and Clauses– Main and Subordinate Clauses

Know How to Punctuate Clause Combinations

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Vocabulary

A Phrase is any group of words A Clause is a group of words with a

subject and a verb There are two types of clauses:

– Main (also called Independent) Clauses

– Subordinate (also called Dependent) Clauses

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Clauses A Main Clause can stand alone as a

complete sentence– Example: He went to the movies.

Technical Definition: A Main Clause is not introduced by a

subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun

• subordinating conjunctions: after, although, because, until, whereas (some listed on 313 of Keys for Writers)

• relative pronouns: that, which, who/whom, whose, whoever/whomever, etc.

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Clauses, cont.

A Subordinate Clause cannot stand alone– Example: Before he went to the movies

Technical Definition: A subordinate clause is introduced by a

subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun

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More Vocabulary Types of Sentences

– A Simple Sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clauses.

• The rules of grammar are complex.

– A Compound Sentence has more than one Main Clause.

• The rules of grammar are complex, and few people understand them all.

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Types of Sentences, cont,– A Complex Sentence has one or more

Subordinate Clauses.• Few people understand grammar because its

rules are complex.

– A Compound-Complex sentence has more than one Main Clause and at least one Subordinate Clause

• Because grammar is complex, few people understand it, and even fewer people enjoy studying it.

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Principle #1 Every complete sentence must

contain one Main or Independent Clause

If a group of words lacks a subject, finite (conjugated) verb, or main clause, it is a fragment

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Fragments

Examples of Fragments• And was a fine film.

– Lacks a subject

• A man going to the movies– Lacks a finite verb

• Because he decided to go to the movies– No main clause

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Principle #2

Clauses must be combined in particular ways with particular punctuation marks in order to make complete, correct sentences.

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Compound Sentences Two main clauses cannot be

combined with only a comma– This is called a comma splice– Example: She got her paycheck, she

paid her bills. Two main clauses cannot be

combined without any punctuation.– This is called a fused sentence.– Example: She got her paycheck she

paid her bills.

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Compound Sentences Two main clauses can be combined

in the following ways:1) MC, cc MC.

• cc=coordinating conjunction• complete list: and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so• Example: She got her paycheck, and she

paid her bills.• Note that you do not place a comma

before a coordinating conjunction that separates a compound verb– She received and cashed her paycheck.

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Compound Sentences, cont.

2) MC; MC.• Example: She got her paycheck; she paid her

bills.

3) MC; ca, MC.• ca=conjunctive adverb (sometimes called

transitional expression) (386-7)• some examples: furthermore, therefore,

otherwise, indeed, for example • Example: She got her paycheck;

consequently, she paid her bills.

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4) MC: MC.• The colon is only a good strategy if the

second main clause explains or clarifies the first

• Example: She can pay her bills now: she finally got her paycheck.

Compound Sentences, cont.

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Complex Sentences If the Subordinate Clause comes first,

you will ordinarily use a comma– SC, MC.– Even though he woke up with a headache,

he went to all of his classes.

If the Main Clause comes first, no punctuation is necessary– MC SC.– He went to all of his classes even though he

woke up with a headache.

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Summary The first step in learning proper

punctuation is to learn how to– distinguish between phrases and clauses– identify Main and Subordinate Clauses– know which punctuation marks are

appropriate for which situations Where to Get More Information

– Keys for Writers