Punctuating Independent Clauses

Remember... An independent clause is a complete sentence.

We will look at three ways to join independent clauses. The first method is to use a comma and coordinating conjunction. What’s a coordinating conjunction?

Here are the 7 coordinating conjunctions: For And Nor But Or Yet so

Try remembering the word “fanboys.” F or A nd N or B ut O r Y et S o

Use a comma and a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses. Pam wanted to brighten up her living room, so she painted two walls a deep yellow. It’s snowing again, but the snow isn’t sticking.

Here are more examples. The grocery store has fresh Oregon cherries, and they’re on sale. You may have chocolate ice cream, or you may have apple pie.

Be careful! Don’t use a comma when the coordinating conjunction does not join two sentences: I called your cell phone but did not leave a message. David left town and never looked back.

Here’s the second method of joining independent clauses: Use a semicolon. A semicolon functions as a “soft” period that separates two complete sentences closely related in idea.

Here are some examples: I’m worried about Angie; she’s over an hour late. Don’t use that computer; it has a virus. It’s not raining; it’s snowing!

The third way to join independent clauses is with a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb. What’s a conjunctive adverb?

Common conjunctive adverbs: However Therefore Consequently Nevertheless Moreover Otherwise Furthermore

Here’s how they work: I want that new car; however, I can’t afford it right now. The speech was long; furthermore, it was boring. I think; therefore, I am.

Avoiding comma splices & fused sentences When you punctuate independent clauses correctly, you avoid serious errors called comma splices & fused sentences.

Don’t do this! That’s not my car, that’s Jerome’s! I have to go home now, it’s getting late. I admire Trisha, she’s always so organized.

Here, they are punctuated correctly. That’s not my car. That’s Jerome’s! I have to go home now; it’s getting late. I admire Trisha, for she’s always so organized.

A fused sentence occurs when two sentences are joined with no punctuation: That’s not my car that’s Jerome’s! I have to go home now it’s getting late. I admire Trisha she’s always so organized.

Let’s practice! Click on the correctly punctuated sentence below: That was your idea, it wasn’t mine. That was your idea, it wasn’t mine That was your idea. It wasn’t mine. That was your idea. It wasn’t mine

Oops! That’s a comma splice! Click here to try again. Click here to try again

Correct! Click here for a new sentence. Click here for a new sentence

Click on the correctly punctuated sentences. I had to drop that calculus class; it was way over my head. I had to drop that calculus class it was way over my head.

Oops! That’s a fused sentence! Click here to try again. Click here to try again

Right! Click here for a new sentence. Click here for a new sentence

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. Roberto is usually a calm person; last night, however, he had a meltdown.Roberto is usually a calm person; last night, however, he had a meltdown Roberto is usually a calm person, last night, however, he had a meltdown. Roberto is usually a calm person, last night, however, he had a meltdown.

Oops! That’s a comma splice! Click here to try again. Click here to try again

Correct! Click here for the next sentence. Click here for the next sentence

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. My new computer was on sale; and it came with a printer. My new computer was on sale; and it came with a printer My new computer was on sale, and it came with a printer. My new computer was on sale, and it came with a printer

Oops! Don’t use a semicolon before a coordinating conjunction. Use a comma. Click here to try again. Click here to try again

You’ve got it! Click here for the next sentence. Click here for the next sentence

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. I dropped my laptop computer, and now it doesn’t work. I dropped my laptop computer, and now it doesn’t work I dropped my laptop computer and now it doesn’t work. I dropped my laptop computer and now it doesn’t work

Oops! Remember, use a comma before a coordinating conjunction that joins two complete sentences. Click here to try again.

Correct! Click here for another sentenceClick here for another sentence.

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. There was a drought this summer; therefore, we can expect produce prices to rise. There was a drought this summer; therefore, we can expect produce prices to rise There was a drought this summer therefore, we can expect produce prices to rise. There was a drought this summer therefore, we can expect produce prices to rise

Not exactly. Jamming two complete sentences together without punctuation results in a fused sentence, also called a “run-on” sentence. Click here to try again.

Good! Click here for the next question. Click here for the next question

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. That wasn’t my idea, that was yours. That wasn’t my idea; that was yours.

Not quite. Click here to try again. Click here to try again

Right! Click here for the next question. Click here for the next question

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. Today’s class is cancelled; your instructor has had another unicycle accident. Today’s class is cancelled, your instructor has had another unicycle accident.

Oops! That’s a comma splice! Click here to try again.

Right! Click here for another sentence.

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. “Your sister called,” said Jamaal. “She wants to borrow your credit card.” “Your sister called,” said Jamaal, “she wants to borrow your credit card.”

Not quite! Be careful with dialogue tags. Watch for complete sentences. Click here to try again.

Good! Click here for one final question. Click here for one final question

Click on the correctly punctuated sentence. “I have a great idea,” said Jacquie, “let’s fly to Las Vegas for the weekend.” “I have a great idea,” said Jacquie. “Let’s fly to Las Vegas for the weekend.”

Oops! That’s a comma splice! With dialogue, watch closely for complete sentences. Click here to try again.

Good job! This concludes the lesson on punctuating independent clauses.