Sentence Construction Practice

In the late afternoon

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

Independent clauses (aka complete sentences) must be a complete thought and contain a subject and a verb.

He would imagine romantic camping trips into the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

Independent clauses (aka complete sentences) must be a complete thought and contain a subject and a verb.

She often quoted lines of poetry.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

Independent clauses (aka complete sentences) must be a complete thought and contain a subject and a verb.

Slowly, a bit distracted.

• Dependent Clause

• Independent Clause

Answer explanation

Independent clauses (aka complete sentences) must be a complete thought and contain a subject and a verb.

Although the old man never confronted me about it__ there was one occasion when he came close to forcing the whole thing out into the open. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

This is the AAAWWUBBIS front-branch rule. These sentence types begin with an AAAWWUBBIS word. The first clause of the sentence is a dependent clause, and the second clause is independent. The comma goes in between the dependent and independent clauses in this sentence type.

She often quoted lines of poetry__ she never mentioned the war, except to say, Jimmy, take care of yourself. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses. They can be used in place of a period, especially if the independent clauses are short and closely related.

Because the nights were cold__ and because the monsoons were wet, each carried a green plastic poncho that could be used as a raincoat or groundsheet or makeshift tent. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

This is the AAAWWUBBIS front-branch rule. These sentence types begin with an AAAWWUBBIS word. The first clause of the sentence is a dependent clause, and the second clause is independent. The comma goes in between the dependent and independent clauses in this sentence type.

They were not love letters__ but Lieutenant Cross was hoping, so he kept them folded in plastic at the bottom of his rucksack. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

This is the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) rule. FANBOYS conjunctions are used to join two independent clauses. Place the comma immediately after the first independent clause (before the FANBOYS conjunction)

When I was finished__ Elroy nodded at me. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

This is the AAAWWUBBIS front-branch rule. These sentence types begin with an AAAWWUBBIS word. The first clause of the sentence is a dependent clause, and the second clause is independent. The comma goes in between the dependent and independent clauses in this sentence type.

Henry Dobbins, who was a big man, carried extra rations__ he was especially fond of canned peaches in heavy syrup over pound cake. (FILL IN THE BLANK WITH THE BEST PUNCTUATION--not a period!)

Answer explanation

Semicolons are used to join two independent clauses. They can be used in place of a period, especially if the independent clauses are short and closely related.