1. Comma Usage with Adverb Clauses

2. Adverb clauses begin with a subordinating conjunction  after  although  as  as if  as long as  as soon as  as though  because  before  if  in order that  provided that  since  so that  than  though  unless  until  when  whenever  where  wherever  whether

3. If you want to gain an understanding of Native American culture, read Voices of Our Ancestors. Subordinating conjunction subjectverb Use comma! When you begin a sentence with an adverb clause, use a comma.

4. Since all of ancient Greek is now stored on computers, scholars can make analysis that shed light on etymology. Subordinating conjunction subjectverb Use comma! When you begin a sentence with an adverb clause, use a comma.

5. You do NOT use a comma when you end a sentence with an adverb clause. You look as though you have much on your mind. Subordinating conjunction subjectverb

6. Where should you place a comma? Why? When glaciers covered part of North America they extended as far south as the Ohio River Valley. I bought J.E. Zimmerman’s Dictionary of Classical Mythology after I read Book of Greek Myths. If you read Greek mythology you can discover many interesting stories.

7. Until I read the story of the Amazons I had not heard of this race of fighting women. Several Greek heroes tried to subdue the Amazons because these women wished to live independently of Greek society. In one story Heracles conquered them when he obtained the belt of their queen. In another story, Theseus of Athens conquered the Amazons as if the conquest of Heracles had never taken place. Where should you place a comma? Why?

8. After the Amazons were defeated Theseus married one of them. Although the Amazons married men from another region they kept only their female children. If an Amazon had a male child she gave him to the father to raise. Where should you place a comma? Why?

9. Since the battles between the Greek heroes and these women warriors were so dramatic they are often depicted in works of art. When I viewed reproductions of Greek vases I look for representations of the battles with the Amazons. Where should you place a comma? Why?

10. Convert the compound sentence into a complex sentence by changing the italicized sentence into an adverb clause. The car sped away, and we took down the license number. The vote was close, and Mr. Chavez demanded a recount. The food is poor, but it is quite expensive.

11. Convert the compound sentence into a complex sentence by changing the italicized sentence into an adverb clause. You wait long enough, and everything comes back into style again. Mother loves canaries, and we gave her one for her birthday. The vegetables are fresh, and they are very good.

12. Convert the compound sentence into a complex sentence by changing the italicized sentence into an adverb clause. Our dog hears a siren, and he hides under the sofa. The papers will be returned, and we can correct them. Chris took a summer writing course, and his grades improved a great deal.

13. Convert the compound sentence into a complex sentence by changing the italicized sentence into an adverb clause. Jessica is working as a legal secretary, and she is studying for the bar exam at night. Adam likes swimming, and his parents gave him a season pass for the local pool. Addison is riding to work with us, and the mechanic can get her car repaired.

14. Convert the compound sentence into a complex sentence by changing the italicized sentence into an adverb clause. We can meet our deadlines, and we will be adding two more shifts. We want to take our dog along, and we are going on our vacation. Kirsten checked the oncoming traffic, and she entered the freeway.