PUNCTUATING SIMPLE COMPLEX SENTENCES
In this module, you will learn to do the following:
 Identify clause patterns of one independent clause and one
dependent clause
 Punctuate sentences consisting of one independent clause and
one dependent clause.
Introduction
We will be punctuating sentences containing two clauses: one dependent and one
independent. We will call this type of sentence a simple complex sentence. We'll use the
term simple complex because the sentence is the simplest form of complex sentences.
Our punctuation guidelines will be based on the presence and position of the dependent
clause.
Try something. Recite 20 subordinating conjunctions.
Check "Using Conjunctions, Prepositions, and Interjections" or "Identifying Dependent and
Independent Clauses" to see how many you recited correctly. If you managed to recite 20,
very well done! If you managed fewer than 20, perhaps you may want to review one of the
modules.
A reminder from "Identifying Dependent and Independent Clauses":
The addition of a subordinating conjunction to a clause does two things:
First, the subordinating conjunction changes a complete thought into an incomplete
thought.
Second, the subordinating conjunction changes an independent clause into a dependent
clause.
Punctuation
We'll start with a punctuation rule.
Dependent Clause Punctuation Rule
The Dependent Clause Punctuation Rule states that you must place a comma after a
dependent clause when the dependent clause starts a sentence.
You will later learn a few important variations to this rule. For this module, however, apply
this rule to all your dependent clause punctuation problems.
Practice
Let's try punctuating a few simple complex sentences. 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 comma is used, we'll
use a + (a plus sign).
Sentence:
"Before she left for Europe she held a wonderful party."
1. Identify the first clause.
We identify "Before she left for Europe."
2. Label that clause as DEP or INDEP.
We recognize "Before" 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
Before she left for Europe
she held a wonderful party.
3. Identify the second clause.
We identify "she held a wonderful party."
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
Before she left for Europe
Indep
she held a wonderful party.
We have a punctuation problem involving a mix of dependent and independent clauses.
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
Before she left for Europe
,
Indep
she held a wonderful party.
The pattern for the above sentence is
Dependent , independent.
Sentence:
"We'll get there in time unless the car breaks down."
1. Identify the first clause.
We identify "We'll get there in time."
2. We label the clause INDEP.
3. Identify the second clause.
We identify "unless the car breaks down."
4. We label the clause DEP.
The sentence now looks like this:
Indep
We'll get there in time
Dep
unless the car breaks down.
5. Apply the dependent clause punctuation rule.
Our dependent clause does not start a sentence, so we do not place a comma.
Indep
Dep
We'll get there in time +
unless the car breaks down.
The pattern for the above sentence is
Independent + dependent.
Sentence:
"We started out at daybreak hoping to catch up with the others."
1. Identify the first clause.
We identify "We started out at daybreak."
2. We label the clause INDEP because it does not start with a subordinating conjunction.
3. Identify the second clause.
We are tempted to identify the participle "hoping" as a verb, but we have no helping verbs.
So "hoping" is not a verb.
Then we look at "to catch," but we know that "to" plus an action is never a verb.
We have no more verbs; thus, we have a single INDEP clause in this sentence.
The sentence now looks like this:
Indep
"We started out at daybreak hoping to catch up with the others."
No punctuation is required.
The pattern for the above sentence is
Independent clause (no punctuation required).
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 use the punctuation rule.
Exercises
For the first 15 questions, select the answer that correctly shows the clause punctuation
pattern. A + (plus) indicates no punctuation between clauses. The answers appear after
the last question.
1. I walked a kilometre up the trail and turned right at the cabin.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
2. I walked a kilometre up the trail before I turned right at the cabin.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
3. Our vacation in Quebec City left us happy but broke.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
4. After we returned from our vacation in Quebec City we were happy but broke.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
5. Even though we searched for an hour we could not find any trace of the hikers.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
6. We could not find any trace of the hikers even though we searched for an hour.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
7. We searched for an hour and still found no trace of the hikers.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
8. You should examine your equipment carefully before backpacking into wilderness
areas.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
9. You should examine your equipment carefully before you go backpacking into
wilderness areas.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
10. Before you go backpacking into wilderness areas you should examine your equipment
carefully.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
11. The storm started before we could pitch our tent.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
12. Before we could pitch our tent the storm started.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
13. Maria decided to join the decorations committee although she had no previous
experience at decorating.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
14. Maria decided to join the decorations committee to gain some experience at
decorating.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
15. Although she had no previous experience at decorating Maria decided to join the
decorations committee.
A. Independent clause (no punctuation required)
B. Independent + dependent
C. Dependent , independent
Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
16.
A. Since it would soon be dark we decided to make camp.
B. Since it would soon be dark, we decided to make camp.
C. We decided to make camp, since it would soon be dark.
17.
A. As the performance ended we made our way backstage.
B. We made our way backstage, as the performance ended
C. We made our way backstage as the performance ended.
18.
A. Unless it stops raining we'll need to move the picnic indoors.
B. We'll need to move the picnic indoors, unless it stops raining.
C. We'll need to move the picnic indoors unless it stops raining.
19.
A. Until the contract is awarded they will keep the information confidential.
B. Until the contract is awarded, they will keep the information confidential.
C. They will keep the information confidential, until the contract is awarded.
20.
A. Because she needed help, we all offered.
B. Because she needed help we all offered.
C. We all offered, because she needed help.
Answers
1, A. 2, B. 3, A. 4, C. 5, C. 6, B. 7, A. 8, A. 9, B. 10, C. 11, B. 12, C. 13, B. 14, A. 15, C. 16, B. 17, C. 18, C. 19, B. 20, A.