PUNCTUATING LONG COMPLEX SENTENCES
In this module, you will learn to do the following:
 Identify clause patterns of one independent clause and two
dependent clauses
 Punctuate sentences consisting of one independent clause
and two dependent clauses.
Introduction
We will be punctuating sentences containing three clauses: one independent and two
dependent. This type of sentence is called a complex sentence. Our punctuation
guidelines will be based on the presence and position of the dependent clauses.
I trust you know your subordinating conjunctions by now. Good! We won't have to review
them.
Punctuation
We'll start with a punctuation rule.
PLACE A COMMA AFTER A DEPENDENT CLAUSE WHEN THE DEPENDENT
CLAUSE STARTS A SENTENCE.
We need to add a variation to the rule.
IN ADDITION, PLACE A COMMA AFTER A DEPENDENT CLAUSE THAT PRECEDES
AN INDEPENDENT CLAUSE.
Rather than spend time explaining the additional rule, let's work through a few sentences.
I'm sure you'll grasp the concept quite quickly.
Practice
What we'll do is identify the clauses as Dep (dependent) and Indep (independent). Then
we'll insert the punctuation. We'll use a comma as a comma. But to show two joined
clauses where no punctuation is used, we'll use a + (a plus sign).
Dependent Clause Rule
Sentence:
"Because she arrived early we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
1. Identify the first clause.
We identify "Because she arrived early."
2. Label that clause as Dep or Indep.
We recognize "Because" as a subordinating conjunction.
We remember that a clause beginning with a subordinating conjunction is a dependent
clause. So we label the clause Dep.
The sentence now looks like this:
Dep
"Because she arrived early we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
3. Identify the second clause.
We identify " we cannot surprise her."
4. Label that clause as Dep or Indep.
We remember that a clause not beginning with a subordinating conjunction is an
independent clause. So we label the clause Indep.
The sentence now looks like this:
Dep
Indep
"Because she arrived early we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
We have a punctuation problem involving a mix of dependent and independent clauses.
So,
5. Apply the dependent clause punctuation rule.
We place a comma after a dependent clause that begins a sentence.
The sentence now looks like this:
Dep
"Because she arrived early
,
Indep
we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
We continue the procedure.
6. Identify the third clause.
We identify "as we had planned."
We recognize the subordinating conjunction and label the clause Dep.
The sentence now looks like this:
Dep,
Indep
Dep
"Because she arrived early , we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
We have no rule that would allow us to punctuate the third clause. So we keep our hands
off the comma.
The pattern for the above sentence is
Dependent , independent + dependent.
Sentence:
"Because she arrived early, we cannot surprise her as we had planned."
The sentence is now correctly punctuated.
Dependent Clause Variation Rule
Here's a sentence that illustrates the rule variation.
Sentence:
"After we learned that the car had been sold we looked for another one."
1. Identify the first clause.
We identify "After we learned" and label it Dep.
2. Identify the second clause.
We identify "that the car had been sold" and label it Dep.
3. Identify the third clause.
We identify "we looked for another one" and label it Indep.
The sentence now looks like this:
Dep
Dep
Indep
"After we learned that the car had been sold we looked for another one."
Apply the dependent clause rule.
The first dependent clause starts a sentence, but we do not have an independent clause
following, so we do not punctuate.
Apply the dependent clause variation.
The second dependent clause precedes (comes immediately before) an independent
clause (sort of like starting a sentence, isn't it?). The variation rules says we should place
a comma after it, so we do.
The sentence now looks like this:
"After we learned that the car had been sold, we looked for another one."
The pattern for the above sentence is
Dependent + dependent , independent
Place a comma after a dependent clause that precedes an independent clause, but do not
(not yet, anyway) place a comma between two consecutive dependent clauses.
Another Pattern
Here's another sentence pattern that you should know.
Sentence:
"You should always remember that we will be friends whatever happens."
We identify "You should always remember" and label it Indep.
We identify "that we will be friends " and label it Dep.
We identify "whatever happens " and label it Dep.
Neither the Dependent Clause Rule nor the Dependent Clause Variation Rule allows us to
place any commas into the sentence.
The sentence
"You should always remember that we will be friends whatever happens"
is correctly punctuated the way it has been written.
The clause pattern is
Independent + dependent + dependent.
Conclusion
If you follow the steps we've suggested while you do your first few sentences, you should
have no problems with this module. The things to remember are to identify the clauses
correctly and to place the + where clauses are joined without punctuation. Keep the
Dependent Clause Rule and the Dependent Clause Variation Rule in mind when doing the
questions that follow.
As you proceed through these modules, you will find that what you have learned in this
module will need to be adapted to other punctuation rules. You may find that you've
created a series with your dependent clauses if (heaven forbid) you decide to use three or
more dependent clauses in one sentence. Or you may decide to use a dependent clause
as an interrupter, in which case commas may be necessary. Finally, dependent clauses
acting as nonrestrictive modifiers require special comma punctuation.
Exercises
Which one of the clause/comma punctuation patterns would you use to punctuate the
sentences in the first three questions? The answers appear after the last question.
1. As we gathered around the coach after we had made the touchdown we began to feel
more confident.
A. Independent + dependent + dependent
B. Dependent + dependent , independent
C. Dependent , independent + dependent
2. He wants to ask her although he's afraid that she may say no.
A. Independent + dependent + dependent
B. Dependent + dependent , independent
C. Dependent , independent + dependent
3. When he asked her she said that she would go with him.
A. Independent + dependent + dependent
B. Dependent + dependent , independent
C. Dependent , independent + dependent
For the remaining questions, select the correctly punctuated sentence.
4.
A. The auditorium filled, as soon as the doors opened, after the staff arrived.
B. The auditorium filled, as soon as the doors opened after the staff arrived.
C. The auditorium filled as soon as the doors opened after the staff arrived.
5.
A. When the rock star arrived, she smiled as she looked at the packed arena.
B. When the rock star arrived she smiled, as she looked at the packed arena.
C. When the rock star arrived, she smiled, as she looked at the packed arena.
6.
A. We remembered the fun, that we had, when we camped last year.
B. We remembered the fun that we had, when we camped last year.
C. We remembered the fun that we had when we camped last year.
7.
A. When I find the book, and if you still need it, I'll sent it to you by mail.
B. When I find the book and if you still need it, I'll sent it to you by mail.
C. When I find the book, and if you still need it I'll sent it to you by mail.
8.
A. After Oriana filed the document she forgot, where she had put it.
B. After Oriana filed the document, she forgot, where she had put it.
C. After Oriana filed the document, she forgot where she had put it.
9.
A. She said that she had filed the document before she went for lunch.
B. She said, that she had filed the document, before she went for lunch.
C. She said that she had filed the document, before she went for lunch.
10.
A. Before Peggy left she asked, if we would switch off the lights.
B. Before Peggy left she asked if we would switch off the lights.
C. Before Peggy left, she asked if we would switch off the lights.
Answers
1, B. 2, A. 3, C. 4, C. 5, A. 6, C. 7, B. 8, C. 9, A. 10, C.