1. Use a comma to set off an opener.
Opener, sentence .

2. Dependent clause, independent clause.
Sentence Pattern 5
Dependent clause, independent clause.
Clause, not claws!!!

3. Use a comma after an introduction or opener
A subordinate clause—also called a dependent clause—will begin with a subordinating conjunction and will contain both a subject and a verb.

5. This combination of words will not form a complete sentence
This combination of words will not form a complete sentence. It will instead make a reader want additional information to finish the thought.

6. When you put the dependent (subordinating) clause in your sentence first, it means you need a comma after it. If it comes second in your sentence, you do not need the comma.
DEPENDANT
INDEPENDANT

7. Example:
*Dependent clause: because I was hungry (This thought cannot stand alone.)
*Independent clause: I ate dinner. (This thought can stand alone.)
-Subordinate/Dependent Clause 1st: Because I was hungry, I ate dinner.
-Subordinate/Dependent Clause 2nd: I ate dinner because I was hungry.

8. AAAWWUBBIS!

9. Dependent clause that starts with an AAAWWUBBIS word + comma + simple sentence= complex sentence
A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a noun and a verb, but does not contain a complete thought. A dependent clause depends on the rest of the sentence to make sense. A dependent clause usually starts with a AAAWWUBBIS word:

10. Subordinating conjunctions
AAAWWUBBIS
lthough
Subordinating conjunctions s
fter
hile
hen
ntil/Unless
ecause
efore f
ince

11. When summer comes to the North Woods,
times slows down
Time slows down.

12. When summer comes to the North Woods, time slows down.
Jennifer Donnelly, A Northern Light
If you can’t annoy somebody, there is little point in writing.
Kingsley Amis, The King’s English

13. When summer comes to the North Woods, time slows down.
Jennifer Donnelly, A Northern Light
The comma tells the reader that the introductory clause or phrase has come to an end, and the main part of the sentence is about to begin.

14. There is little point in writing.
If you can’t annoy somebody, there is little point in writing
Kingsley Amis, The King’s English

15. Calvin and Hobbes rested on the tree branch.
Although school had begun, Calvin and Hobbes laid lazily in the tree.

16. If there were an Olympic contest for talking, Shelly Stalls would sweep the event.
Flipped, pg 16
Your turn:
If there were an Olympic contest for ____________, __________ would sweep the event.

17. When I was little,…
Your turn again!

18. Got it?