Intro to English Grammar Unit 9 ReviewComplex Sentences: Coordination & Subordination

What's the Deal with Complex Sentences?

• Consist of two or more clauses that are linked together
• Must have at least one independent clause that can stand alone as a complete sentence
• Can also include one or more dependent clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences
• Dependent clauses often start with subordinating conjunctions (although, because, since, when)
• Allow writers to express more complex ideas and relationships between thoughts
• Help create variety and interest in writing by combining simple sentences
• Enable writers to show logical relationships between ideas (cause and effect, contrast, time sequence)

Breaking Down Coordination

• Coordination joins two or more elements of equal grammatical importance
• Elements can be words, phrases, or clauses
• Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) are used to connect the elements
• Coordinated elements are usually separated by commas
  • Exception: when the elements are short and closely related, the comma may be omitted (peanut butter and jelly)
• Coordinated independent clauses create compound sentences
  • Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence
  • Example: I love pizza, but my sister prefers pasta
• Coordination can also join other elements like nouns (cats and dogs), adjectives (happy and excited), or phrases (in the morning and at night)

Subordination: The Lowdown

• Subordination involves making one clause dependent on another
• Dependent clauses cannot stand alone as complete sentences
• Usually introduced by subordinating conjunctions (although, because, if, since, when, while)
• Subordinate clauses act as adverbs, adjectives, or nouns in the complex sentence
  • Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (I'll call you when I get home)
  • Adjective clauses modify nouns or pronouns (The book that I borrowed from the library is overdue)
  • Noun clauses act as subjects, objects, or complements (What she said surprised everyone)
• Position of the subordinate clause can affect emphasis and style
  • Initial position: Although it was raining, we went for a walk
  • Medial position: The project, which was due last week, is still not finished
  • Final position: I'll buy a new car if I get a raise

Conjunctions: Your New Best Friends

• Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses
• Three main types: coordinating, subordinating, and correlative
• Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) join elements of equal importance
  • Remember: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So
• Subordinating conjunctions introduce dependent clauses
  • Common ones: although, because, if, since, when, while
  • Others include: after, as, before, even though, once, than, though, unless, until, wherever
• Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join equal elements
  • Examples: either/or, neither/nor, not only/but also, both/and
• Choosing the right conjunction helps convey the desired relationship between ideas
  • Contrast: but, yet, although, even though, while
  • Cause and effect: because, since, so
  • Time sequence: after, before, once, when, while
  • Condition: if, unless

Punctuation Hacks for Complex Sentences

• Use commas to separate coordinated independent clauses joined by a conjunction
  • I love hiking, and my brother enjoys camping
• If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma to separate it from the independent clause
  • When I finish my homework, I'll watch a movie
• No comma is needed if the dependent clause comes after the independent clause
  • I'll watch a movie when I finish my homework
• Use commas to set off non-essential dependent clauses
  • My best friend, who lives next door, is coming over for dinner
• Essential dependent clauses do not require commas
  • The book that I'm reading is fascinating
• Use semicolons to join independent clauses without a conjunction
  • I have a big test tomorrow; I need to study tonight

Putting It All Together: Practice Time

• Identify the independent and dependent clauses in complex sentences
  • Example: Because it was raining heavily, the soccer game was canceled
    • Dependent clause: Because it was raining heavily
    • Independent clause: the soccer game was canceled
• Practice combining simple sentences using coordination and subordination
  • Simple sentences: I love coffee. I drink it every morning.
  • Coordinated: I love coffee, and I drink it every morning.
  • Subordinated: Because I love coffee, I drink it every morning.
• Experiment with different positions of dependent clauses to see how it affects emphasis and style
  • Initial: If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
  • Final: You will pass the exam if you study hard.
• Pay attention to punctuation when creating complex sentences
  • Remember to use commas with coordinated independent clauses and initial dependent clauses
• Analyze complex sentences in your reading to see how authors use coordination and subordination effectively

Common Mistakes to Dodge

• Avoid run-on sentences by properly joining clauses with conjunctions or punctuation
  • Run-on: I love pizza I eat it every week.
  • Corrected: I love pizza, and I eat it every week.
• Don't forget to use commas with coordinated independent clauses
  • Incorrect: I want to travel but I don't have enough money.
  • Correct: I want to travel, but I don't have enough money.
• Be careful not to use a comma to join two independent clauses without a conjunction (comma splice)
  • Comma splice: I'm tired, I'm going to bed.
  • Corrected: I'm tired, so I'm going to bed.
• Make sure your dependent clauses have a clear relationship to the independent clause
  • Unclear: I went to the store. When I bought milk.
  • Clear: I went to the store when I needed to buy milk.
• Avoid overusing subordination, which can make your writing hard to follow
  • Too much subordination: When I woke up, after I had breakfast, because I remembered I had an appointment, I rushed to get ready.
  • Better: I woke up and had breakfast. Then, I remembered I had an appointment, so I rushed to get ready.

Why This Stuff Actually Matters

• Understanding complex sentences helps you express ideas more effectively in your writing
  • You can show logical relationships between thoughts
  • You can create variety and interest by combining simple sentences
• Proper use of coordination and subordination makes your writing clearer and easier to follow
  • Readers can better understand how your ideas are connected
• Knowing how to use conjunctions and punctuation correctly helps you avoid common grammatical errors
  • This makes your writing more polished and professional
• Analyzing complex sentences in your reading can improve your comprehension
  • You can better understand the author's intended meaning and relationships between ideas
• Strong skills in creating and understanding complex sentences are valuable in many fields
  • Academic writing often requires expressing complex ideas and arguments
  • Professional communication, such as emails and reports, benefits from clear and well-structured sentences
  • Creative writing, like fiction and poetry, can use complex sentences for stylistic effect and to convey nuanced emotions or experiences