ITN: Complex Sentences and Introductory Phrases

​commas in complex sentences & intro phrases

Recall:

A clause contains a subject and a predicate.

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An indepedent clause can stand alone because it expresses a complete thought.

 

A dependent clause cannot stand alone because it does NOT express a complete thought. 

Some text here about the topic of discussion

Open Ended

How are these sentences similar? How are they different?

After dinner, we went to the movies.

After we ate dinner, we went to the movies.

When a phrase or dependent clause comes before an independent clause, use a COMMA. 

 

​After dinner, we went to the movies.

 

When we arrived at the theater, we saw a really long line of people waiting for tickets.

 

 

 

 

Subject | Subject

​adding to independent clauses

​Why use a comma?

The comma creates a pause after the phrase or dependent clause. This pause can make the meaning more clear to the reader.

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While we were eating my pet canary began to sing.​

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​adding to independent clauses

When a phrase or dependent clause follows an independent clause, NO COMMA is necessary unless the writer wants to add a pause for effect.

We went to the movies after dinner.

 

We saw a really long line of people waiting for tickets when we arrived at the theater. 

 

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Subject | Subject

Multiple Choice

When you have decided please let me know. Does this sentence need a comma?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

After they went skating the guys went out for a pizza. Does this sentence need a comma?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Which sentence does NOT require a comma?

• In order to succeed you need to study.

• Through the dark I saw a light.

• Running is my favorite hobby.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct placement of the comma?

• All, of a sudden the lights turned out.

• All of a sudden, the lights turned out.

• All of a sudden the lights, turned out.

• All of, a sudden the lights turned out.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence has the correct placement of the comma?

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash my mom, let me go to the party.

• Even though, I forgot to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot, to take out the trash my mom let me go to the party.

• Even though I forgot to take out the trash, my mom let me go to the party.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence requires a comma?

• The children went to the zoo.

• While we were eating dinner my mom packed the car.

• My dad went grocery shopping.

• The movie is always better with popcorn.

Multiple Choice

Which sentence requires a comma?

• Near the lake I found a pebble.

• I need to study for my test.

• My dog loves to chew on shoes.

• One book is never enough.

Multiple Choice

All of the following sentences are punctuated correctly EXCEPT which?

• Since I slept in, I had to rush.

• My sister, sometimes is annoying.

• Outside my window, there is a sunset.

• Tomorrow, I will wash my new bike.

​Complex Sentences

Definition: contains a main clause (IND) and at least one subordinate clause (DEP)

Ex:

• Tom cried because the ball hit him.

• After Suzy cooked dinner, Cindy ate everything.  

​Dependent clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions like these:

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If	After	Although
Since	As long as	Even before
Once	Because	Whenever
While	When	As soon as

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​Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

Open Ended

Review the following sentences. 

1. What is the difference in how they are written?

2. What is the difference in their meanings?

A. The teacher said on Monday that she would return our essays.

B. The teacher said that she would return our essays on Monday.

​Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers

​Modifier: a word, phrase, or clause that provides description

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Sentence with NO modifiers: I rode my bike.

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Sentence with modifiers: I joyfully rode my bike​ down the hill, zipping past the joggers out for their morning run.

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E08.D.1.1.5 Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers

​Misplaced Modifiers

When a modifier is too far away from the thing it describes in the sentence, the result is a misplaced modifier.  

This can lead to confusing and illogical sentences!

Subject | Subject

E08.D.1.1.5 Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers​

Open Ended

What is the phrase "in Ziploc bags" supposed to be modifying?

​Dangling Modifier

When a sentence has a modifier but fails to include the thing being modified, the result is a dangling modifier.  

These can also be confusing and illogical!

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S08.D.1.1.5 Place phrases and clauses within a sentence, recognizing and correcting misplaced and dangling modifiers

Multiple Choice

Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct usage of modifiers.

• I heard that there was a robbery on the evening news.

• I heard on the evening news that there was a robbery.

Multiple Choice

Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct usage of modifiers.

• Rolling down the mountain, the hiker stopped the boulder with his powerful foot.

• Rolling down the mountain, the boulder was stopped by a hiker’s powerful foot.

Multiple Choice

Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct usage of modifiers.

• As we were walking home last night, the trees looked like spooky monsters.

• Walking home last night, the trees looked like spooky monsters.

Multiple Choice

Identify the sentence that demonstrates correct usage of modifiers.

• While we drove to the veterinarian’s office, our dog nervously whined.

• Whining nervously, we drove our dog to the veterinarian’s office.

• While driving to the veterinarian’s office, the dog nervously whined. 

Open Ended

Rewrite the sentence to correct the modifier error. Remember to use capital letters and punctuation, too!

While at the basketball game, my mother did her grocery shopping.