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Study this link on Subordination
and then return to this page.
A simple sentence consists of one independent
clause; in other words, the sentence expresses a complete
thought and can stand alone. A complex sentence consists of
an independent clause and a dependent clause. The dependent
clause must be joined to the independent clause with a subordinator.
Punctuation depends on placement of the dependent clause.
A comma is used only when the dependent clause is first
in the sentence. Remember these patterns:
| DEPENDENT CLAUSE, INDEPENDENT
CLAUSE |
| INDEPENDENT CLAUSE DEPENDENT
CLAUSE |
NOTE THAT THERE IS NO
COMMA WHEN THE INDEPENDENT CLAUSE COMES FIRST IN THE SENTENCE.
Study the adverb
clauses of time and
reason in the next
table. Move across the chart as you read.
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ADVERB CLAUSES
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| TIME:
when, while, before, after, as, until |
REASON:
because, since |
| When
the couple dressed the snow girl in warm clothes,
she said she
was too warm. |
She
had to stay outdoors all night because
it was too hot inside by the stove. |
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| The
old couple watched her as she
chased her shadow in the moonlight. |
Because
she was so much fun,
all of the village
children loved her. |
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| While
the other children were returning home,
the little
snow girl ran on through the forest. |
Since
it was getting dark, the
other children were aftaid to follow after her. |
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