Punctuation and Dependent Clauses: when, before, after

Introduction

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Is this a sentence?

After working all day.

Follow below as we discuss sentence fragments and complex sentences.

To view the prior lesson, Sentence Fragments and Compound Sentences, click here.

Fragments Beginning with...

 

In each example below, the main or independent clause has been underlined and the dependent (or subordinate) clause has been attached to the main clause.

...when

Subordinate Clause Fragments That Begin with 'when'

The subordinate conjunction when commonly introduces a dependent (or subordinate) clause. 

Sentence fragments that begin with the subordinate conjunction when are acceptable and common as answers to questions in conversation, but are unacceptable in writing.   

WORD ORDER and PUNCTUATION

You may begin the sentence with the main clause or with the when clause.

When the sentence begins with the main clause, do not use a comma to separate it from the subordinate clause. 

  • You can't imagine how happy I was when I received your letter!

  • I would have to lock the door when I was alone in the house.

  • I was very happy when I first saw them.

When it begins with the subordinate clause and the subordinate conjunction when, use a comma after the subordinate clause.

  • When I was reading this book, I thought about the Russian government's version of World War II.
  • When everybody would go to work and leave me alone in the house, I would have to lock the door.
  • When I first saw them, I was very happy.

...before and after

How to Repair Dependent Clause Sentence Fragments

The subordinate conjunctions before and after commonly introduce dependent (or subordinate) clauses. 

Sentence fragments that begin with the subordinate conjunctions before and after are acceptable and common as answers to questions in conversation, but are unacceptable in writing.   

WORD ORDER and PUNCTUATION

You may begin the sentence with the main clause or with the when clause.

When the sentence begins with the main clause, do not use a comma to separate it from the subordinate clause. 

  • My brother and I would go home and turn the money over to our parents after we had sold all the pastries.

When it begins with the subordinate clause and the subordinate conjunctions before or after, use a comma after the subordinate clause.

  • After working all day, my brother and I would go home and turn the money we had earned over to our parents.

  • After a while, we started going out again.

Next Lesson...

In our NEXT LESSON:  Fragments and Complex Sentences beginning with

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