Parts of Speech Review Commas Complex Sentences Parts of Speech Review Commas

There are four types of sentences. Simple Compound Complex Compound-complex

Complex sentences A complex sentence has a an independent clause and a dependent clause. An independent clause has a subject and verb and can stand on its own. A dependent clause has a subject and verb and cannot stand on its own.

Clauses Although I love you Has a subject: I Has a verb: love But is does not make sense by itself, so it is a dependent clause. , I can’t. Has a subject: I Has a verb: can Remember not is always an adverb even when added to a verb. It makes sense by itself, so it is an independent clause. An introductory dependent clause will always a comma after it.

When the dependent clause starts the sentence, Complex Sentence Do not put a comma when the dependent clause is at the end of the sentence. John ate it , Although he does not like pie Dependent clause It has a subject (he) And a verb (does like) Independent clause Has a subject (John) And a verb (ate) When the dependent clause starts the sentence, put a comma. Can stand on its own Cannot stand on its own

Please note, if the dependent clause is at the end of the sentence, the first letter of the clause is only capitalized if it is a proper noun.

Complex Sentence Although terminal dependent clauses usually do not require punctuation , sometimes they do. If trying to place emphasis or change in voice , use a comma before the terminal clause or phrase.

Complex Sentences Mini quiz. Find the simple subjects and simple predicates in the following sentence. John asked if I could go.

Complex Sentence John asked if I could go. This sentence has two sets of subjects and verbs. The first, John asked, is an independent clause. The second, if I could go, is a dependent clause. One independent clause combined with one or more dependent clauses is a complex sentence. There is no comma because the dependent clause is at the end.

Please note: Rarely will BECAUSE have a comma before or after it. Rarely, if ever, will ALTHOUGH have a comma after it. However, HOWEVER will almost always have a comma after it.

Commas and complex sentences An introductory dependent clause will have a comma after it. A terminal dependent clause will usually not have a comma before it.