WHEN to USE a COMMA Connecting Clauses

You will need… A yellow block (a comma) Two blue blocks (independent clauses) A green block (dependent clause) A yellow block (a comma)

Do you remember the difference between a dependent and an independent clause? When I walked in the room DEPENDENT Tyler fell asleep INDEPENDENT Because I work at the Feedlot

And basketball practice started three days ago INDEPENDENT If you cheat on the test DEPENDENT The holiday decorations HAHAHA! I TRICKED YOU! THIS IS A PHRASE; IT IS NOT A CLAUSE! The answers are in the back of the book

2 independent clauses need a comma! but and so or I swung a 2x4, and I broke my brother’s leg. (COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS) F A N B O Y S!

An independent clause followed by a dependent clause does NOT need a comma! I broke my brother’s leg when I hit him with the 2x4. I am grounded for a year because I swung that 2x4.

IF a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, you’ll need a comma! IND Because I broke my brother’s leg, I have to carry him to school. When I broke my brother’s leg, I felt a twinge of guilt.

READY TO PLAY? Directions: Read the clauses on the screen. Decide if they are dependent or independent (green or blue). Decide if you need a comma (yellow). Put your sentence together and cover it with your hand!

when Mr. Herring walked in the room he startled the students

Jose gave a top-notch speech and his classmates loved it

when the bell rang Tabby was still in the hall

Daniel is interested in U of I because it has a strong engineering program

Because Matt has been to Iowa City for basketball games he is already familiar with the campus

Shannen is interested in U of I because she wants to become a nurse

With your partner write a sentence that contains two clauses on your note card. Decide if you need a comma. Arrange your blocks to represent the correct sequence.

Write the clauses on the board (without punctuation) Write the clauses on the board (without punctuation). Your classmates will try to arrange their blocks correctly.

I broke my brother’s leg; I am doomed. If 2 independent clauses are very closely related, you can connect them with a semi-colon. If you connect them with a comma, you must use a FANBOYS! IND Semi-colon I broke my brother’s leg; I am doomed. I broke my brother’s leg, so I am doomed.