Commas in
Compound 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.