A clause consists of a subject and a predicate, where the predicate is a verb or verb phrase. Examples: I was happy. I went to the store. She ate a cookie. He sent me a letter. In each of the above cases, there is at least a subject and a verb. Independent Clause An "independent clause" is a clause that can stand by itself as a complete sentence. Examples: Three clowns bumped noses. A chicken crossed the road.
The market sells organic vegetables. The weather was good today. Dependent Clause A "dependent clause" is a clause that cannot stand by itself as a complete sentence even though it has a subject and a predicate.
Examples: while I was walking because there were so many possibilities although we could not find him In these examples, it is the "subordinating conjunction" or sentence connector that subordinates the clause to another, main clause that makes them dependent clauses: "while," "because," "although".
Written language is designed to inscribe spoken language, so the rules of punctuation are generally designed to reproduce the natural patterns and pauses in speech. Which bus should I take? But when a sentence contains an indirect question, which might not be the first word.
I asked Sam, which bus I should take. I asked Sam which bus I should take. Real-time suggestions, wherever you write. Comma Before Which Brittney Ross.
Use a comma before which when it introduces a nonrestrictive phrase. Grammar What Are Modal Verbs? While I was eating , the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken , she was late for class. When the snow stops falling , we'll shovel the driveway. However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent subordinate clause follows it except for cases of extreme contrast. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases over four words.
Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause. If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set off with commas.
Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements:. Clause : That Tuesday , which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet. Phrase : This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food , on the other hand, is rather bland. Word : I appreciate your hard work. In this case , however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning with that relative clauses.
That clauses after nouns are always essential. That clauses following a verb expressing mental action are always essential. My niece , wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room. The Green party candidate , who had the least money, lost the election.
Apples , which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe. Professor Benson , grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be tomorrow. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. The Constitution establishes the legislative , executive , and judicial branches of government. The candidate promised to lower taxes , protect the environment , reduce crime , and end unemployment.
The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime , who had a strong revenge motive , and who had access to the murder weapon , was guilty of homicide.
Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives.
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal "co"-ordinate status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. You can decide if two adjectives in a row are coordinate by asking the following questions:.
If you answer yes to these questions, then the adjectives are coordinate and should be separated by a comma.
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