CLAUSES AND THE COMPOUND SENTENCE
A. We have seen since the first of our study that most sentences contain more than one subject and verb. In some we have found four or five. Each group of words containing a subject and a verb is called a clause.
All clauses fall into two groups:
1. Coordinate clauses (also called principal or independent clauses) 2. Subordinate clauses (also called dependent clauses)
There is no subdivision of the first class, coordinate clauses.
There are three subdivisions of the second class, subordinate clauses:
1. Noun clauses 2. Adjective clauses 3. Adverb clauses
You notice that these subdivisions are based on the use of the clause in the sentence—the service it performs. Every subordinate clause must be used as a noun or as an adjective or as an adverb.
We shall study these fully later.
Coordinate clauses are those which could usually stand alone as simple sentences; but because the ideas expressed are definitely related, the clauses are connected. Sentences containing two or more coordinate clauses are called compound.
B. Coordinate clauses may be joined by coordinate connectives or by the semicolon.
(Although usage varies somewhat on this point, coordinate clauses, with possibly rare excep- tions, should not be joined by a comma only. This is a rather common fault in students’ writing, which you should make every effort to avoid, for students have not had sufficient experience to judge when the rare exception might occur.)
The conjunctions which work in pairs are called correlatives. The most common ones are: not only—but also, either—or, neither— nor.
PUNCTUATION OF COMPOUND SENTENCES
1. Use the comma before and, or, nor, but, and for when they connect two coordinate clauses.
(With and, or, and nor the comma may be omitted if the clauses are short and closely related;
but the comma should be kept before but and for.)
You may take the book out for one period to use in a study hall, or you may take it home over night.
It was morning, for the birds were singing.
We wanted to go, but we had not bought tickets.
Anne played the piano and John sang.
2. Use the semicolon before conjunctive adverbs when they connect two coordinate clauses. The most common of these are: however, then, so, therefore, consequently, nevertheless, thus, also, Note: a. A comma should be used after however. It is preferable not to use a comma after the others, put a comma is frequently seen after consequently, nevertheless, and moreover.
b. With so as a connective, more dignified usage calls for the semicolon, but the comma is gain- ing ground here and is acceptable. The word so should not be overworked.
She has had no experience in operating the machine; however, she is willing to learn.
. Use a semicolon when the connective is omitted.
Some students make good use of their time in study hall; others have not yet learned to con- centrate.
. With the correlatives preferably no punctuation is used, as the purpose of the correlatives is to draw the two ideas closely together.
Either the tire must be repaired or we must postpone our trip.
Not only was he a skilled musician but he was also an expert in tennis.
. If the sentence contains one subject and two or more verbs, it is not a compound sentence but a simple sentence with a compound verb; no punctuation is used usually. (If there are several modifiers and complements for each verb, a comma may be used for the sake of clearness.)
Anne sorted the materials and packed them in boxes.
. A semicolon is often preferable between the clauses (even though the connective does not call for one) if a comma or commas are used within one clause, or both.
I did not like my present, as I had wanted a bicycle and had expected to receive one; but Martha, my young sister, seemed to be pleased with hers.
PRACTICE:
10.
ee
12.
Punctuate the following sentences, according to the above rules.
. William Shakespeare is a shadowy figure however the few known facts are very interesting . He went to London as a penniless country lad of about twenty-two years and he returned to
the village of Stratford twenty-five years later a wealthy man
. During these years he had proved himself to be a remarkable man he was highly intelligent and capable of a prodigious amount of work
. Not only was he a great literary genius but also he was a good business man
. He owned shares in the Globe Theatre moreover he was himself a member of the theatrical company
. On returning to Stratford he purchased one of the finest houses in the town there he lived until his death in 1616
. This home would now be a fascinating place to visit but because of one man’s uncontrollable tem- per it was destroyed
. Near the year 1760 the owner became very angry about the disturbance caused by interested visitors consequently he ordered the house to be razed to the ground
. Either the place should have been kept as a shrine by the villagers themselves or it should have been turned over to the government
In the garden was a great mulberry tree planted there by Shakespeare himself this tree was cut down and the wood was sold
The large garden at the back is now a public garden and in it is a mulberry tree descended from the poet’s own tree
Only the foundation of the house is visible moreover it has to be kept under gratings to protect it from souvenir-hunting tourists
52
PUNCTUATION REVIEW
The rules needed for these sentences are in Sections 3, 10, 17, 18, 19, and 20.
PRACTICE:
10.
£2 he 12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Carefully punctuate the following sentences. Only the first three need quotation marks.
. Anne I hope that youll read this book Charles remarked for Id like to talk it over with you . There are several books about Chinese life said Jane that I believe one should read
. Charles asked Have you read Oil for the Lamps of China
After the long anxious hours and the vain efforts to accomplish something he felt utterly ex- hausted.
. He carelessly spattered the paint on the window-sill on the floor and even on the rug
. The girl was highly intelligent efficent and reliable consequently we felt that we could recom- mend her for the position
Without the place looked shabby and neglected however within it was cozy and attractive . The things that a man should have done were left undone but a womans hands had transformed
the interior into a home
The agents manner enthusiastic and convincing helped him to make many sales
The curving line of the shore with its narrow beach of yellow sand overshadowed by dark fir and cedar trees made the little inland lake a beautiful spot
‘The old man looked tired and lonely and discouraged
The girls instructor a brilliant musician and competent teacher is preparing them to take part in a recital
Out over the bay the foghorn sent its warning voice muffled and mournful In fact we think weve reached the best solution of the problem
Marthas report has been handed in mine is not yet finished
The delicate graceful blossoms fragrant and glowing with color made a charming bouquet
WORD STUDY 10.
Master the spelling and the pronunciation:
(Part of speech and definition)
athletics apathy
grammar
mathematics baffling
ninth
rhythm gratis
For further progress:
altruistic
garrulous
Write effective sentences using the words which you have defined.
Examples:
The refugee had suffered so much, both physically and mentally, that he had sunk into a state of apathy.
The at agreed that the disappearance of the man was one of the most baffling mysteries they had ever attempted to solve.
We were amused by the pompous, condescending manner with which he gave gratis his valu- able advice
The Red Cross is one of our most altruistic organizations; wherever help is needed, it is ready to assist.
The garrulous old woman, chattering on about trivial matters that did not interest us, grew tiresome.
Write original sentences here:
SECTION 21