Sentence Openers #2 or #5

   Question: How can you tell the difference between a prepositional opener (#2) and a clausal opener (#5) since some words, like since or after, could begin either? Answer: There are a few words you’ll find in a list of prepositions that can do more than just start prepositional phrases. Words like since and after are double agents. They can be prepositions, but they can also be (brace yourselves!) â€Å"subordinating conjunctions that start adverb clauses.† In truth, our very friendly list of clausal starters (when, while, where, as, since, if, although, because, or www.asia.b) is actually a set of â€Å"subordinating conjunctions that start adverb clauses.† So, how do we figure out when since and after are acting as clausal starters and when they are just acting as prepositions? Easy! They are clausals when there is a verb involved. Here are some examples of www.asia.b words (or other subordinating conjunctions) beginning a clause: [5] When we go to the store, I am going to buy some eggplant. [5] Although I love zucchini, I crave eggplant. [5] Since I love eggplant, I eat it every day. [5] After you eat my eggplant surprise, you will agree that eggplant is the best. These examples illustrate why the clausal starters are called â€Å"subordinating conjunctions that start adverb clauses.† Let’s break down that mouthful of a phrase so we can understand it better: Subordinating: The clause is not a complete sentence. (â€Å"When we go to the store† can’t stand alone.) Conjunctions: The www.asia.b word attaches the clause to a complete sentence—a main clause. Adverb: The entire clause is serving as an adverb, telling how, when, where, in what way, or to what extent. Clauses: Clauses have verbs. See how every one of the above clauses has a verb? On the other hand, when a word like since or after starts a prepositional phrase, there is no verb: [2] After the party we’ll eat eggplant. [2] Since Sunday of last week, I have craved eggplant. [2] Before class we’ll have to get some eggplant. [2] As a class we’ll make eggplant surprise. [2] Until yesterday I had never tried eggplant ice cream. The main thing to remember about #2 and #5 openers is that #5 clausal openers must have a comma while only long #2 prepositional openers (five or more words) require one. The comma is optional for short #2 prepositional openers. This is not crucial to teach at the elementary level, but middle and high school students should learn this as it comes up in their writing. Teaching it at the point of need will make it much more memorable! Download or print this article in PDF format. Jill Pike  is a homeschooling mother of eight and an IEW ® Accomplished Instructor. Serving as moderator of the  IEWFamilies  forum, she provides support to thousands of teachers and parents. She has authored many lesson plans offered by the Institute for Excellence in Writing, most recently adapting  Anna Ingham's  Blended Sound-Sight Program of Learning  for home educators in the  Primary Arts of Language. After graduating five children, Jill and her husband, Greg, continue to home educate their youngest three  in Indiana. For more detailed explanations and for practice in correctly identifying #2 and #5 openers, check out the  Fix It! Grammar  program (especially Grammar Glossary pp. G-13, G-38, and G-42). Log in or register to post commentsJill Pikes blog Log in or register to post comments Printable version Permalink By Joanne KressSep04 Jill, Thanks for this resource! I was wondering if there could please be a print button on this page that, when pressed, would pull up a PDF of this blog formatted for easy printing/saving. I am new with TWSS and have just found this resource, but am not ready to teach sentence openers, yet. I would love to print this and put it in my paperwork for the appropriate time. Thanks again Log in or register to post comments It is in the TWSS Permalink By JillPikeSep06 I passed your suggestion onto the webmaster. In the meantime, you will be glad to know that this information is in the TWSS in the sentence opener section. It is also explained in the Student Resource Packet, so when you get to sentence openers, I am sure you'll have the help you need! Blessings, Jill Pike Accomplished Instructor Log in or register to post comments Now in PDF form Permalink By JillPikeSep07 Well, our webmaster was on his toes today! Check out the new "Download PDF" button at the end of the article! Log in or register to post comments #2and #5 sentence openers Permalink By joamzaMar08 Thank you for the info. Log in or register to post comments Rules Permalink By RamalogosDec28 Can I find all the grammar/ punctuation rules in one place for writing? Log in or register to post comments I dont know of any resource Permalink By Jennifer MauserDec28 I don't know of any resource that contains literally every punctuation/grammar rule, but we do have two great sources that you can use to find out the most common. First up, I suggest you purchase Teaching Writing: Structure and Style. Not only does it teach the instructor how to teach writing, it also has a great section containing information on how to punctuate sentence openers and clauses. Additionally I recommend you check out Fix It! Grammar. The books include a handy Grammar Glossary at the end of them that addresses many of the grammatical concepts you and your student are likely to encounter.   Right now we are also in the midst of our 12 Days of Christmas gifting event. I also suggest you sign up for notifications because you may find information that will be relevant to grammar. You just never know! You can learn more at www.IEW.com/Christmas19 Log in or register to post comments Grammar on the Go Permalink By JillPikeDec28 IEW does have a folder called Grammar on the Go that contains just about all the rules needed for writing. It is a compilation of the rules taught in all 6 levels of Fix It. However, I find that it is far too overwhelming for students to use that resource alone. The BEST way to learn the grammar rules for writing is to systematically work through the Fix It books. Blessings, Jill Pike Accomplished Instructor Log in or register to post comments