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.
|
ADVERB
CLAUSES
|
| 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. |
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
