Handouts
Punctuation Patterns for Several Sentence Types
Definitions
- A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. It is used as a sentence or as part of a sentence.
- An independent clause can stand alone. It makes complete sense by itself.
Example: Tom Smith was late.
- A dependent clause cannot stand alone. It must be attached to an independent clause in order to make a complete sentence.
Example: because his car broke down
- A conjunctive adverb is used to connected clauses, dependent and independent.
Examples: therefore, moreover, however, furthermore, etc.
- A coordinating conjuction
Examples: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet, etc.
- A subordinating conjuction
Examples: after, because, when, if, while, where, as, unless, since, etc.
Punctuation Pattern Example
- Independent clause; independent clause.
Example: Tom Smith was late; his car broke down.
- Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
Example: Tom Smith's car broke down; therefore, he was late.
- Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.
Example: Tom Smith's car broke down, so he was late.
- First part of independent clause, dependent clause, rest of ind. clause.
Example: Tom Smith, whose car had broken down, was late.
- Independent clause, subordinating conjunction dependent clause.
Example: Tom Smith was late because his car broke down.
- Subordinating conjunction, dependent clause, independent clause.
Example: Because his car broke down, Tom Smith was late.