Comma Placement and Clause Types

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought.

Front

What is a dependent clause?

Back

A dependent clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought.

Front

Does every sentence have to have an independent clause?

Back

Yes, every complete sentence must have at least one independent clause.

Front

Can a sentence have a dependent clause?

Back

Yes, a sentence can have one or more dependent clauses.

Front

What is the function of a comma before a conjunction?

Back

A comma is used before a conjunction to separate independent clauses in a compound sentence.

Front

Example of an independent clause:

Back

"She enjoys reading books." This is a complete thought.

Front

Example of a dependent clause:

Back

"Although she enjoys reading books," this does not express a complete thought.

Front

What is a compound sentence?

Back

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

Front

What is a complex sentence?

Back

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

Front

What punctuation is used to separate items in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list.