Can You Join Two Dependent Clauses With A Comma?

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To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction. To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause ; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).

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Can you use a comma to join two dependent clauses?

When the dependent clause begins with a subordinating conjunction (connecting word) and precedes the independent clause, separate the clauses with a comma. ... When the dependent (subordinate) clause follows the independent clause, don’t use a comma before or after the subordinating conjunction (connecting word).

Do you use a comma between dependent and independent clauses?

If the dependent clause is first (again, rather like an introduction to the main clause), it is followed by a comma (like in this sentence and the next). If the independent clause comes first, no punctuation separates the two.

How do you combine two dependent clauses?

To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction. To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause ; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).

When joining two independent clauses with a comma a blank needs to accompany the comma?

How to punctuate coordinating conjunctions . When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, a comma is used before the coordinating conjunction (unless the two independent clauses are very short). Conjunctions that are not followed by non-essential elements should never be followed by commas.

Can Because connect two independent clauses?

Because is a subordinating conjunction , which means that it connects a subordinate clause to an independent clause; good style dictates that there should be no comma between these two clauses. An exception can and should be made when the lack of a comma would cause ambiguity.

Which type of sentence has two independent clauses joined by a comma and a conjunction?

A compound sentence is composed of at least two independent clauses. There are four techniques used to join independent clauses in a compound sentence: • a comma and a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so).

Does a comma splice have to have a comma?

When you join two independent clauses with a comma and no conjunction , it’s called a comma splice. Some people consider this a type of run-on sentence, while other people think of it as a punctuation error.

How do you join 3 independent clauses?

(Compound sentences are sentences that have two (or three) independent clauses which are joined by one of the following conjunctions: for, nor, yet, so, and, but, or . The comma always appears just before the conjunction.

Can commas separate independent clauses?

Comma Use. 1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

Do you need to put a comma before or?

The answer depends on how you are using or. Always place a comma before or when it begins an independent clause , but if it begins a dependent clause, don’t. In a series (or list) of three or more items, you can use a comma before or, but this is a preference, not a rule.

What sentence structure is created when you join an independent clause and a dependent clause?

A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or more dependent clauses.

What are the 8 rules for commas?

  • Use a comma to separate independent clauses. ...
  • Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. ...
  • Use a comma between all items in a series. ...
  • Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. ...
  • Use a comma to set off appositives. ...
  • Use a comma to indicate direct address. ...
  • Use commas to set off direct quotations.

What major error is created when two independent clauses are separated only by a comma?

Please note again that in the above examples a comma alone is NOT one of the correct options. A comma alone between two independent clauses creates an incorrect comma splice . 1. An independent clause contains one subject/predicate pair and expresses a complete thought.

What type of sentence has at least two independent clauses joined by a comma semicolon or conjunction?

A compound sentence has at least two independent clauses that have related ideas. The independent clauses can be joined by a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) or by a semicolon, as you can see in the compound sentence examples below.

Which sentence type has two independent clauses?

A compound sentence contains at least two independent clauses. Each could be a simple sentence by itself.

Which is the best way to combine these two sentence?

You have four options for combining two complete sentences: comma and a conjunction (“and,” “but,” “or,” “for,” or “yet”) semicolon and a transitional adverb, like “therefore,” “moreover,” or “thus” semicolon (;)

What are the 3 ways of correcting a comma splice?

  • Replace the comma with a semicolon. ...
  • Replace the comma with a period and create two sentences. ...
  • Add an appropriate coordinating conjunction (e.g. and, but, so, for, yet) immediately following the comma.

How do you correct a comma splice?

  1. One of the easiest ways to correct comma splices is to create two separate sentences. ...
  2. Usually, a comma indicates a brief pause. ...
  3. You can also correct a comma splice by inserting a coordinating conjunction such as and, or, nor, for, or but.

How can you avoid a comma splice and a run-on sentence?

  1. OPTION 1:Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
  2. OPTION 2: Use a semicolon.
  3. OPTION 3: Use a semicolon, transition word, and comma.
  4. OPTION 1: Use a subordinating conjunction after the independent clause.

What is comma splice?

A comma splice occurs when you use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing an appropriate joining word between them . The comma just isn’t strong enough to do the job of making one grammatical sentence out of two.

Can you separate two independent clauses with and?

Rules. Separate independent clauses with a comma when using a coordinating conjunction (e.g., and, but, or, for, nor, so, yet). Separate independent clauses with a semicolon when not using a coordinating conjunction.

How do you join two independent clauses with a semicolon?

Semicolons with independent clauses

Use a semicolon to join two related independent clauses in place of a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, so, yet). Make sure when you use the semicolon that the connection between the two independent clauses is clear without the coordinating conjunction.

What is the 5th comma rule?

Rule #5 Use a comma when addressing someone . Rule #6 Use a comma for words used to interrupt a sentence. Rule #7 Use a comma between a city and a province. Also, use one after province if the sentence continues.

What are the 13 comma rules?

  • Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. ...
  • Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. ...
  • Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.

What are the 4 types of commas?

There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas . A listing comma can always be replaced by the word and or or: Vanessa seems to live on eggs, pasta and aubergines.

How do you use commas examples?

Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew . Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.

When the dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence use a blank to separate it from the independent clause?

The use of a comma when a dependent clause comes before an independent clause (as in Example 1 above) is optional, particularly when joining two short clauses, but you’ll most commonly see a comma used to separate the two clauses.

What is an example of a dependent clause sentence?

Damian won’t be able to play in the game because he injured his foot . (Because he injured his foot is a dependent clause. It contains the subject he and the verb injured. The clause does not express a complete thought and cannot stand on its own as a sentence.)

What is the Oxford comma rule?

The Oxford (or serial) comma is the final comma in a list of things. For example: Please bring me a pencil, eraser, and notebook. The Oxford comma comes right after eraser . Use of the Oxford comma is stylistic, meaning that some style guides demand its use while others don’t.

Is an Oxford comma?

An Oxford, or serial, comma is the last comma in a list ; it goes before the word “and.” Technically, it’s grammatically optional in American English. However, depending on the list you are writing out, omitting it can lead to some confusion.

When the dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence use a?

(Rule 1) If your dependent clause is a fronted adverb, offset it with a comma . A dependent clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction (e.g., “when,” “unless,” “because,” “until”) will be functioning as an adverb. When the clause is positioned at start of the sentence, offset it with a comma.

What type of run on sentence joins two or more sentences as one with no punctuation?

A fused sentence occurs when independent clauses run together with no marks of punctuation or coordinating conjunctions to separate them. A comma splice occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined only by a comma.

What major error is created when a dependent clause is treated as a complete sentence?

One common fragment error occurs when a writer thinks that a dependent part of a sentence (dependent clause) is a complete sentence. The dependent clause may contain a subject and a verb but the meaning is incomplete.

How do you write a complex sentence example?

  1. Because my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
  2. Although he was wealthy, he was still unhappy.
  3. She returned the computer after she noticed it was damaged.
  4. Whenever prices goes up, customers buy less products.
Amira Khan
Author
Amira Khan
Amira Khan is a philosopher and scholar of religion with a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology. Amira's expertise includes the history of philosophy and religion, ethics, and the philosophy of science. She is passionate about helping readers navigate complex philosophical and religious concepts in a clear and accessible way.