Commas with dep and ind clauses

Commas with dependent

subordinate clauses

Use a comma when you start your sentence with a dependent/subordinate clause.

a group of words that begins with ONE of the SWABIs or from the list provided.

When I entered her room in 1953, I had been to six schools in five years.

A COMMA IS PLACED after the subordinating clause

​

When I entered her room in 1953,

Sometimes the dep/subordinate clause occurs in the middle of the thought or at the end.

• The restaurant where we used to eat dinner went out of business.

• You will learn to speak Spanish if you practice.

​NOTE the absence of commas in these two cases

​

Let's practice using COMMAS with the SWABIs and other conjunctions from the list.

Fill in the Blanks

Write the sentence in the blank USE ONE COMMA to separate the dependent/subordinate clause from the MAIN clause.

After the storm cleared the flight took off.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence in the blank USE ONE COMMA to separate the dependent/subordinate clause from the MAIN clause.

Because the subject was complicated Brad studied very hard.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence in the blank USE ONE COMMA to separate the dependent/subordinate clause from the MAIN clause.

Whenever we visit the zoo Emma and I look for the giraffes first.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence in the blank USE ONE COMMA to separate the dependent/subordinate clause from the MAIN clause.

Before he sat down Rick took off his jacket.

Use commas to separate two MAIN CLAUSES

FANBOYS

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence and use a COMMA to separate the two MAIN CLAUSES.

I know you are tired but we really need to study some more.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence and use a COMMA to separate the two MAIN CLAUSES.

He is working on a project about whales and he'll need to use the research library at the museum.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence and use a COMMA to separate the two MAIN CLAUSES.

The avalanche thundered down the slope but luckily it missed the cabin.

Fill in the Blanks

WRITE the sentence and use a COMMA to separate the two MAIN CLAUSES.

The movie is so stupid yet it seems to be drawing crowds.

All done!