Author: CATN Instructor

1. Independent Clauses

 Instructions: write an original independent clause for each of the dependent clauses below, thus making the group of words into a complete sentence. For example, if the dependent clause says “Because I saw the cat,” follow it with an independent clause like “l avoided disaster,” thus making the sentence read, “Because I saw the cat, I avoided disaster.”

(Remember the subordinating conjunctions: because, although, if, unless, when, after, whenever, wherever, before, since)

The Dependent (Subordinate) Clauses

1. Because I saw the cat,
2. Although I saw the cat,
3. lf I saw the cat,
4. Unless I saw the cat,
5. When I saw the cat,
6. After I saw the cat,
7. Whenever I saw the cat,
8. Wherever I saw the cat,
9. Before I saw the cat,
10. Since I saw the cat,

Now write 5 of your own sentences beginning with subordinating (dependent) clauses

Next, write a dependent clause to follow each of the following independent clauses.

Remember that a dependent clause that comes at the end of a sentence does NOT have a comma before it.

1. Ernest had a tantrum (insert dependent clause here).
2. Penelope lost her pocket protector
3. Oscar went to the Antarctic
4. Poindexter changed his hairstyle
5. The fairy princess sat on the toadstool
6. Fiddling madly, the frog prince danced on the lily pad
7. Todd came to disaster
8. Olivia pranced around the tennis court
9. The Gila monster snapped greedily at the helpless infant
10. The Ipod’s battery slowly died
11. In spite of the raging storm, the brave doggie ventured out of the house
12. ln the castle of the monster with one eye, a dragon slept warily
13. Screeching with laughter, the children sprinted down the forest path
14. The elephant sadly swung her tail.

Now write 5 of your own sentences.  Begin with an independent clause and end with a subordinating conjunction and dependent clause.

Compound Sentences

Write another independent clause for each one given below. Connect the two independent clauses with a comma followed by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor, or, so, or yet). Example: The young goat lay on the ground, and a cow came by and kicked him.

2. The old man spit on the ground (insert a comma, a coordinating conjunction, and another independent clause here).
3. The pickle fermented in the jar
4. Veronica gave a forlorn sigh
5. The spy peeped into the old mansion
6. The student gave the classroom turtle a quizzical wink
7. Superman swooped down from the skyscraper
8. Mr. Fredrick handed Peter yet another detention
9. The platypus gave a little hop of joy as he climbed up the flowery bank of the river
10. The striped suit fitted him badly and made him look like a buffoon
11. The razor-sharp blade whistled through the air

Misplaced Modifiers

Part 1

Circle the number of each sentence below that is an example of faulty coordination. Rewrite these incorrect sentences by placing the modifiers in the correct place.

1. Unless you have a better idea, we’ll stay with the program as it is.

2. My father works hard, and he likes baseball.

3. She won’t be able to come today because she is grounded.

4. Although she walked to school, it was snowing.

5. The door was unlocked, and the windows were open.

6. I completed the test and it is hard.

7. The U.S. Civil War began in 1861 and ended in 1865.

8. Though we went hungry, there was plenty of food in the pantry.

9. President Lincoln died in office and he came from Illinois.

10. Before you leave, I must tell you a story.

11. Jack delivered pizza to customers in a cardboard box.

12. The audience laughed at the clown on the stage.

13. Forgetting your chores frequently gets you into trouble.

14. They had 5 minutes to decide where to eat lunch.

Part 2

Rewrite the following sentences to correct the misplaced modifiers.

1. The young lady was walking the dog on the telephone.

2. I heard that there was a robbery on the evening news.

3. Uncle Louie bought a running stroller for the baby that he called “Speed Racer.”

4. Rolling down the mountain, the explorer stopped the boulder with his powerful foot.

5.  We are looking for a babysitter for our precious six-year-old who doesn’t drink or smoke and owns a car.

6. The teacher served cookies to the children wrapped in aluminum foil.

7. The mysterious woman walked toward the car holding an umbrella.

8. We returned the wine to the waiter that was sour.

9. The doll belongs to my sister whose head is missing.

10. Charlie spotted a stray puppy driving home from work.

11. I ate nothing but a cold bowl of noodles for dinner.

12. George bought a pure Siamese from a friend that was already housebroken

Part 3

Dangling Modifiers

Rewrite the following sentence to correct the dangling modifiers.  (Example: Incorrect: Chewing furiously, the gum fell out of my mouth.  Correct: The gum fell out of my mouth as I was chewing furiously.)

1. Walking in the dark, the picture fell off the wall.

2. Playing a guitar in the bedroom, the cat was seen under the bed.

3. Packing for a trip, a cockroach scurried down the hallway.

4. While looking in the mirror, the towel swayed in the breeze.

5. While driving to the veterinarian’s office, the dog nervously whined