Clauses and Phrases

Phrase = A portion of a sentence that is missing a subject, a verb, or both.

Dependent Clause = A portion of a sentence that contain both a subject and a verb, but cannot stand alone.

Independent Clause = A portion of a sentence, or an entire sentence, that contains both a subject and a verb, and can stand on its own.

Comma Usages (6 Rules)

1)Words in a series = Separate series of three or more nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, or clauses with commas.

2)FANBOYS

3)Interruptors

Words in a series

I walked, ran, drove, crawled, hitchhiked, skied, and monkey-rolled my way from Chicago to Memphis in only 4 days.

I like to go to my parents’ house, eat all of their food, play with their dog, and beat them at games.

Comma Usages (6 Rules)

1)Words in a series = Separate series of three or more nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, or clauses with commas.

2)FANBOYS = Separate two Independent Clauses with a comma and a conjuction.

3)Interruptors

F = For

A = And

N = Nor

B = But

O = Or

Y = Yet

S = So

Dan is Keith’s brother, yet Dan shot him anyway.

Dan is regretting being such a bad guy, but he doesn’t quite know how to be good.

Comma Usages (6 Rules)

1)Words in a series = Separate series of three or more nouns, adjectives, verbs, phrases, or clauses with commas.

2)FANBOYS = Separate two Independent Clauses with a comma and a conjuction.

3)Interruptors = Separate information that “interruptors” the flow and idea of the sentence.

!!! Interruptors !!!

My mom, who has red hair, chased after me seven times around the dinner table after I made fun of her haircut.

Abraham Lincoln, by the way, was one of America’s best Presidents.

Commas Continued

4) Participial Phrases (-ing phrases) = Separate –ing phrases from the rest of the sentence

Jacob avoided the police at the crime scene, sneaking away out the back door.

Sneaking away out the back door, Jacob avoided the police at the crime scene.

5) Introductory Words and Clauses = Isolate introductory words or ABBI Phrases from the rest of

the sentence.

INTRODUCTORY RULE:

James, do you act this dumb, or were you just born that way?

In fact, many believe that dinosaurs possibly coexisted with early man.

While getting ready for prom, Tina noticed a huge zit on her nose.

As he waited for his date, he slowly realized that she would never arrive.

After

Before

Because

If

Since

As

While

DO YOU REMEMBER ABBI?

Although

When

Unless

Whenever

Until

Commas Continued

4) Participial Phrases (-ing phrases) = Separate –ing phrases from the rest of the sentence

Jacob avoided the police at the crime scene, sneaking away out the back door.

Sneaking away out the back door, Jacob avoided the police at the crime scene.

5) Introductory Words and Clauses = Isolate introductory words or ABBI Phrases from the rest of the sentence.

6) City and Dates =Place a comma after a city but before its state or country.

Place a comma after a day’s name, number, or a year.

Schaumburg, Illinois

Paris, France

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Wednesday, June 5th, 2010

Semi-colon Rules

1)Separates Independent Clauses

Here are two independent clauses; the semi-colon goes in between them.

2) Separates complex comma sentences

I want to go to Rome, Italy; Paris, France; Geneva, Switzerland; and Beijing, England.

Colon Rules1) Time

2:30 3:43 10:16

2) Lists or Revelations The following people were at my party: my mom, me, my pet fish.

The people at my party were my mom, me, my pet fish.

My favorite book begins with these words: “In the beginning…”

3) Subtitles J.R.R. Tolkien: The Man, the Myths, the Legacy

Powdered Sugar: 10 Tricks on How to Get Yourself Hyped Up on Candy

“Quotation Marks”

“Most Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving,” Tricia said.

Tricia added, “But I don’t like it at all.”

“I’ll only eat turkey,” she continued, “if I were starving and there was nothing else.”

“But I usually fill up on rolls and sweets,” she bemused. “I never go hungry on Thanksgiving.”

Pronouns and AntecedentsSingular matches singular

Plural matches plural

BOTH FEW MANY SEVERAL

Both of the dogs like their new master.

Everybody should remember to bring his own lunch to school tomorrow.

Subject and Verb AgreementsSingular matches singular

Plural matches plural

BOTH FEW MANY SEVERAL

Few of my children realize the importance of flossing.

Someone needs to come here right now.