Basic Sentence Part and Conjunction Definitions

Independent Clause (IC) – An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and expresses a complete thought. An independent clause can stand alone as a sentence, but a writer may combine it with other clauses, phrases, or both.

Dependent Clause (DC) – Even though dependent clauses contain a subject and a verb, they do not express a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Subordinate conjunctions often indicate the presence of a dependent clause.

Coordinating Conjunctions (CC), also known as coordinators, can join two independent clauses, but a writer must use a comma before the conjunction. A coordinating conjunction both serves a function and provides meaning. Writers can use the mnemonic device FANBOYS to remember the coordinating conjunctions for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Subordinate Conjunctions (SC), also called subordinators, can join a dependent clause and an independent clause so that a writer can show a relationship between one or more ideas. Each word serves its function by creating the dependent clause and by tying the dependent clause to an independent clause as well as providing meaning. The following words can function as subordinate conjunctions (each has its own meaning):

after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, even if, even though, how, if, inasmuch, in order that, lest, now that, provided that, since, so that, than, that, though, till, ‘til, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, while.

Conjunctive Adverbs (CA), also known as Transition Words, show the relationship between the previous ideas and those forthcoming; additionally, they can link two independent clauses. Indeed, a writer may tie the ideas the sentences express closely using a semicolon. The following words function as conjunctive adverbs:

accordingly, also, anyway, besides, certainly, consequently, finally, furthermore, hence, however, incidentally, indeed, instead, likewise, meanwhile, moreover, nevertheless, next, nonetheless, otherwise, similarly, still, subsequently, then, therefore, thus.

Common Punctuation and Sentence Arrangement Patterns

A SIMPLE SENTENCE HAS	A SINGLE, INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
IC. IC.	Many students enjoy school. Some students find it painful and boring.
CA, IC.	Nevertheless, most teachers strive to make education an enjoyable experience.
COMPOUND SENTENCES	HAVE TWO JOINED INDEPENDENT CLAUSES.
IC; IC.	Teachers know that they cannot please all students all of the time; teachers hope that most students enjoy learning most of the time.
IC, CC IC.	Enjoying the learning experience helps students embrace their opportunity, but some learning experiences remain difficult.
IC; CA, IC.	Students can enhance their enjoyment of education by taking responsibility for it themselves; however, some seek to blame their teachers.
COMPLEX SENTENCES	HAVE ONE OR MORE DEPENDENT CLAUSES JOINED TO AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE BY SUBORDINATE CONJUNCTIONS.
DC, IC.	Even though teachers want students to enjoy their work, learning remains the priority.
IC DC.	Students can learn much from adversity provided that they make an effort.
COMPOUND-COMPLEX	SENTENCES COMBINE AT LEAST TWO INDEPENDENT CLAUSES AND A DEPENDENT CLAUSE.
IC DC, CC IC.	Mature adults generally do their work to the best of their ability even if they do not enjoy or want to perform a particular task, and students who accept that school tests one’s character and do their best on whatever task is before them demonstrate more maturity and character than some adults possess.