Commas inCompound Sentences, Dependent Clauses, and

Appositives

Revision Review

What is a Compound Sentence?• A compound sentence is created when two

independent clauses are joined together with a coordinating conjunction. Remember, an independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone; in other words, it is a complete sentence. A coordinating conjunction connects equal things. There are seven coordinating conjunctions – and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so.

• A compound sentence MUST have a comma before the conjunction.

Compound Sentences

• Look at this example.

e.g. Would you like to go to Taco Bell, or would you like dinner from Wendy’s?

• The first group of words is a sentence. So is the second group of words. Since they are both sentences, there needs to be a comma before the conjunction.

To Be or Not to Be a Compound Sentence

• Remember, to be a compound sentence, there must be a complete sentence on each side of the conjunction.

• Is this a compound sentence?

e.g. I like to play board games, and I also like to play video games.

It is a compound sentence.• Is this a compound sentence?

e.g. I enjoy movies but not reality television.

It is not a compound sentence.

Test Yourself – Compound Sentences• On a separate piece of paper, tell if the sentence

needs a comma before the conjunction. Remember, a comma is needed if the sentence is compound.

• 1. Charlotte is a small cat but Emily is quite large.• 2. That book is exciting and full of adventure.• 3. She wanted exercise so she trained for the race.• 4. He planned the games for all to play.• 5. I want pizza or pasta for dinner.

Check Your Answers - Compounds

• 1. Compound• 2. Not compound• 3. Compound• 4. Not compound• 5. Not compound

What are Complex Sentences?• Complex sentences contain one

independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

• An independent clause is a complete sentence.

e.g. I like cats.• A dependent clause is not a complete

sentence. It begins with a subordinate conjunction. Dependent clauses are sometimes called subordinate clauses.

e.g. Since I like cats.

What are the Subordinate Conjunctions?

• Subordinate conjunctions connect things that are not equal. They connect an independent clause with a dependent one.

• The subordinate conjunctions are: after, although, as, as if, because, before, how, if, in order that, since, so that, than, though, unless, until, when, whenever, where, wherever, whether, while

Test Yourself• On separate paper, write the group of words

that is the dependent clause.• 1. I ran the marathon so that I could build

my strength.• 2. After the rain stopped, we went outside.• 3. I got a poor grade even though I studied.• 4. Maya practiced her clarinet whenever she

had free time.• 5. I am much taller than she is.

Check Your Answers

• 1. so that I could build my strength• 2. After the rain stopped• 3. even though I studied• 4. whenever she had free time• 5. than she is

When Do I Use Commas with Dependent Clauses?• When the dependent clause begins the complex

sentence, it must be followed by a comma.

e.g. After the rain had stopped, the game continued.

• If the dependent clause starts the second half of a compound sentence, it must be followed by a comma.

e.g. The game was going well, and until the umpire made a bad call, we were psyched!

• If the dependent clause follows the independent one, it is generally not followed by a comma.

e.g. I like when we get rained out.

Is it Really a Subordinate Conjunction?• The word “so” is a coordinating conjunction that

connects two sentences. The words “so that” connect an independent clause with a dependent one. Sometimes, writers write the word “so” but imply “so that.” If the sentence means “so that,” then it is considered dependent.

e.g. I studied hard, so I got a good grade.

e.g. I studied hard so I would be prepared for the test. (This really means “so that” I would be prepared….)

Is it Really a Subordinate Conjunction?• The word “as” can be either a preposition or a

subordinate conjunction. • If it is a preposition, it will be part of a

prepositional phrase. That means it will not include a verb. It will also not need a comma.

e.g. He was quiet as a mouse.• If it is a subordinate conjunction, it will be followed

by a verb and create a dependent clause. Then, it would need a comma if that clause began the sentence.

e.g. As the musical ended, everyone clapped.

Test Yourself• On a separate piece of paper, write “yes” if the

sentence requires a comma with the subordinate clause or “no” if it does not.

• 1. I played hard because I wanted to win.• 2. Susie got a puppy for Christmas, and since she

is very responsible she deserved the gift.• 3. I want to go to Disney World so that I can meet

Mickey Mouse.• 4. I delivered my speech in my room as if I were

standing in front of many people.• 5. Whenever I get sad I sing.

Check Your Answers – Dependent Clauses

• 1. No• 2. Yes• 3. No• 4. No• 5. Yes

What are Relative Clauses?• A relative clause is a dependent clause. It begins

with one of the relative pronouns – who, whom, whose, which, that.

• Relative clauses work like adjectives, so they always follow a noun that they describe; therefore, they never begin a sentence.

• Because relative clauses occur within a sentence, they are often set off by commas.

e.g. The man, who is very tall, is a basketball player.e.g. The book, which has been made into a movie, is sure to be a hit!

What are Restrictive and Non-restrictive Clauses?

• A restrictive relative clause is not set off by commas. Restrictive clauses are necessary for the sentence to make sense.

e.g. The man who runs the bank awarded me the loan.

• A non-restrictive clause includes information that is not needed to understand the sentence. Since it interrupts the flow of what is needed, commas surround the clause to separate it from the rest of the sentence.

e.g. The boy, who has red hair, plays the guitar.

Test Yourself• On a separate piece of paper, if the clause is restrictive

and does not need commas, write “no.” If the clause is non-restrictive and needs to be set off by commas, write “yes.”

• 1. The book which is about elephants taught me a lot about pachyderms.

• 2. The tiger that had bold stripes was fierce.• 3. The song which was written by Alex is about

peanuts.• 4. The man with whom I spoke offered me a pretzel.• 5. The moose that had a missing antler looked funny.

Check Your Answers – Relative Clauses

• 1. no• 2. yes• 3. yes• 4. yes• 5. no

What are Appositives?• Appositives are words that follow a noun and

explain that noun. • They are extra words in a sentence that add

information, so they are usually set off by commas.

e.g. The mutt, a shepherd and beagle mix, is very friendly.• If an appositive is a single word, it may not be set

off by commas.

My sister Cathy is a tremendous musician.

Test Yourself• Find the appositive in each sentence and write it

on separate paper. Then write “yes” if commas are needed or “no” if they are not.

• 1. The basketball player a tall woman scored many points.

• 2. Wresting a fall sport requires great strength and agility.

• 3. The story “The Lottery” has a bizarre ending.• 4. Paper clips useful tools to teachers are quite

helpful when organizing papers.• 5. I like New York City a center of theatre.

Check Your Answers• 1. a tall woman - yes• 2. a fall sport - yes• 3. “The Lottery” - no• 4. useful tools to teachers - yes• 5. a center of theatre - yes

Apply What You Have Learned

• Now that you have completed this review, get a review quiz from your teacher. Take the quiz and return it to her. Then, access your essay on google docs. Look at the comments about commas (C1 – C4). Make any corrections on the document. Then, get your rubric from your folder. Take the rubric and computer to your teacher to add points back to your essay score.