Punctuation: Punctuating the Complex Sentence

Introduction

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There are three types of sentence structures in English: simple, compound, and complex.

In today's lesson we continue our unit Punctuation and we discuss Punctuation and the Complex  Sentence.

Review: What Is a Complex Sentence?

 

A complex sentence is a sentence that contains a main clause and a dependent (or subordinate) clause.  Unlike a compound sentence, in which the two parts are equal, in a complex sentence the two parts are not equal.

Many subordinate clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions. 

Clauses Indicating:  
Time Relationships: before, after, until, when(ever), once, as, as soon as, since, while
Reason and Cause: because, since, due to the fact that, as
Condition: if, unless, provided (that), given (that), in case, as long as, whatever
Concession: although, as, while, whereas, even if, given that
Subordination*: but, as, since, but**
*  These subordinators also function as prepositions: since the war, etc.
** meaning "except for"

  

Word Order and Punctuation

In a complex sentence, what is the relationship between word order and punctuation?

When the sentence begins with the main clause, we do not generally use a comma.

  • I never felt embarrassed if I used a word incorrectly.

When the sentence begins with a subordinate clause, the subordinate clause must be followed by a comma.

  • If I used a word incorrectly, I never felt embarrassed.

Next... Sentence Fragments

 

Our NEXT LESSON:  Sentence Fragments

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