Punctuating Complex Sentences

Front

What is a complex sentence?

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A complex sentence is a sentence that contains one independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

Front

What is an independent clause?

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An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb.

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What is a dependent clause?

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A dependent clause is a group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

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What punctuation is used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause?

Back

A comma is used to separate an independent clause from a dependent clause when the dependent clause comes first.

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Is the following sentence punctuated correctly? 'Although it was raining, we went for a walk.'

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Yes, the sentence is punctuated correctly.

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What is a phrase?

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A phrase is a group of words that does not contain a subject-verb pair and does not express a complete thought.

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Identify the type of the following: 'Slammed the door.'

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Phrase.

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Identify the type of the following: 'Once you are finished.'

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Clause.

Front

What is the purpose of punctuation in complex sentences?

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Punctuation helps clarify the meaning of sentences and indicates pauses or stops in the flow of the sentence.

Front

What punctuation is used before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in a compound sentence.