Punctuation Patterns Joining Ideas
Clause Coordination: Putting two clauses together that could stand on their own,
but because they’re so closely related we want to put
them into one sentence. Clauses have a subject and a verb in them.
Clause
Option 1
Independent clause
,yet
,and
,but
Phrase
Independent clause
,for
,or
,nor
,so
Option 2
;
Independent clause
Option 3
Independent clause
;
Independent
clause
; consequently,
; further,
; however,
; indeed,
; in fact,
; moreover,
; nevertheless,
; then,
; therefore,
; thus,
Independent clause
Clause Subordination: Putting two clauses put together because they are
so closely related, but one is independent and one is dependent on the
other. Notice the punctuation or lack of it.
Option 1
Independent clause
Option 2
After
Although
As
Because
Before
If
Since
Until
Whereas
While
after
although
as
because
before
if
since
until
whereas
while
Dependent clause
Types of Phrases
Phrase: group of related words that lack
either a subject, predicate or both.
Noun phrase: has noun + modifiers
Verb phrase: has verb + modifiers
Prepositional phrase: has preposition +
object + modifiers
Appositive phrase: renames a noun and
has noun + modifiers
Absolute phrase: resembles a clause
(n+v+o+m) can’t stand on its own because
verb lacks tense.
gerund phrase: Verb + ing acts as a noun
infinitive phrase: To + verb acts as noun
participial phrase: Verb + ing/ed acts as
adj.
See Write For College reference
#563, #568 for help with
restrictive and non-restrictive
phrases and clauses.
Dependent clause
There are three types of dependent
clauses:
adjective clause,
adverb clause,
noun clause. See Write for College
references #820-822 for more help.
,
Independent clause
Note: lists and examples are not limited to those on this sheet. These are
only helps for decision making in your own writing.