Commas In Complex and Compound Sentences

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A punctuation mark used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

A group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A group of words that cannot stand alone as a sentence and usually begins with a subordinating conjunction (like 'because', 'since', 'although').

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

A sentence that contains at least two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

How do you punctuate a compound sentence?

Back

Use a comma before the conjunction that connects the two independent clauses.

Front

How do you punctuate a complex sentence?

Back

If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause. If the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed.

Front

What is the purpose of using commas in a series?

Back

To separate three or more items in a list to clarify meaning.

Front

What is a run-on sentence?

Back

A sentence that incorrectly combines two or more independent clauses without proper punctuation.