Punctuating Dependent Clauses

Because the night was dark we could see the plankton.

We could see the plankton because the night was dark.

While we swam in the ocean we saw seagulls.

We saw seagulls while we swam in the ocean.

A lizard slipped under the door, I almost squished it.

A lizard slipped under the door; I almost squished it.

A lizard slipped under the door; I want Hawaiian pizza.

If the jellyfish arrive.

The ocean was full of jellyfish.

The jellyfish have been seen in the bay.

The jellyfish arrived.

Once we arrived at the waterfall we heard the frogs.

We heard the frogs once we arrived at the waterfall.

Complex sentences don’t ever need any punctuation except at the end because they have subordinating conjunctions.

A complex sentence needs a comma if the independent clause comes before the dependent clause.

A complex sentence needs a semicolon before the subordinating conjunction.

A complex sentence needs a comma if the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.

Ciang writes her thesis while Phyu paraphrases her evidence.

Ciang writes her thesis, while Phyu paraphrases her evidence.

While Ciang writes her thesis, Phyu paraphrases her evidence.

While Ciang writes her thesis; Phyu paraphrases her evidence.

While Ciang writes her thesis Phyu paraphrases her evidence.

when Jay and Jas are messaging

Lilee made Mrs. Naftzger snort

because he never pays attention

if you studied diligently

Skylar and Julia are giggling again

If Owen leaves another mess, Mrs. Hall might torture him.

If Owen leaves another mess; Mrs. Hall might torture him.

If Owen leaves another mess Mrs. Hall might torture him.

Mrs. Hall might torture Owen if he leaves another mess.

Mrs. Hall might torture Owen, if he leaves another mess.

Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

Although, it was raining we went for a walk.

Although it was raining we went, for a walk.

Although it was raining we, went for a walk.