Fragments & Clauses

Clauses A clause is a group of words with a subject

and a verb

SubjectSubject VerbVerb

YouYou stink.stink.

SallySally is talking.is talking.

SubjectSubject VerbVerb

II hatehate grammargrammar

SallySally is talkingis talking loudlyloudly

Most clauses have further information after the verb

Two Types of Clauses

Independent clause (Main clause) Can stand alone as a sentence Can be joined to another clause Fred filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder.

Dependent clause (Subordinate clause) Cannot stand alone as a sentence Must be joined to an independent clause Because he wanted to make his own firecrackers.

A word that joins clauses is a conjunction

Joining Clauses

A dependent clause can be joined to an independent clause to make a sentence Fred filled a cardboard tube with

gunpowder because he wanted to make his own firecrackers.

OrBecause he wanted to make his own

firecrackers, Fred filled a cardboard tube with gunpowder.

When the sentence starts with the dependent clause, it must have a comma before the independent clause

Fragments Fragments look like sentences but are missing

a subject or a verb, or they are put together incorrectly.

FragmentFragment ErrorError

Told everyone to get out Told everyone to get out of the way.of the way.

No subjectNo subject

Disposable lighter in his Disposable lighter in his hand.hand.

No verbNo verb

Before he lit the fuse.Before he lit the fuse. A dependent A dependent clause by itselfclause by itself

Correcting Fragments Subjects or verbs can be added Fragments can be joined together All of the following are correct

With his disposable lighter in his hand, he told everyone to get out of the way. Then he lit the fuse.

Pulling out his disposable lighter, Fred told everyone to get out of the way before he lit the fuse.

He pulled out his disposable lighter. Fred told everyone to get out of the way and then he lit the fuse.

Are the following correct sentences or fragments?

I was late for class. As we wait for the rain to stop.She goes to Centennial College.Go away! Until you eat your vegetables.They plan to visit Nova Scotia

this summer.Even though I was tired.While working the night shift.For example, hockey and

skating.After she finished her essay. 

Provided that you pass the exam.

Before you leave.Mr. Jones had a picnic with his

wife. Plays the flute very well.  The cute little kitten. The sink was full of dishes. Mary went shopping at the

mall. Searched every corner of the

house.  I am excited!