1. Punctuation: Clauses
Mr. Jeffery Boggan

2. Beginning Punctuation
GOALS
Distinguish between
Phrases and Clauses
Main and Subordinate Clauses
Know How to Punctuate Clause Combinations

3. Vocabulary A Phrase is any group of words
A Clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb
There are two types of clauses:
Main (also called Independent) Clauses
Subordinate (also called Dependent) Clauses

4. Clauses A Main Clause can stand alone as a complete sentence
Example: He went to the movies.
Technical Definition:
A Main Clause is not introduced by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun
subordinating conjunctions: after, although, because, until, whereas
relative pronouns: that, which, who/whom, whose, whoever/whomever, etc.

5. Clauses, cont. A Subordinate Clause cannot stand alone
Example: Before he went to the movies
Technical Definition:
A subordinate clause is introduced by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun

6. More Vocabulary Types of Sentences
A Simple Sentence has one main clause and no subordinate clauses.
The rules of grammar are complex.
A Compound Sentence has more than one Main Clause.
The rules of grammar are complex, and few people understand them all.

7. Types of Sentences, cont,
A Complex Sentence has one or more Subordinate Clauses.
Few people understand grammar because its rules are complex.
A Compound-Complex sentence has more than one Main Clause and at least one Subordinate Clause
Because grammar is complex, few people understand it, and even fewer people enjoy studying it.

8. Principle #1
Every complete sentence must contain one Main or Independent Clause
If a group of words lacks a subject, finite (conjugated) verb, or main clause, it is a fragment

9. Fragments Examples of Fragments And was a fine film.
Lacks a subject
A man going to the movies
Lacks a finite verb
Because he decided to go to the movies
No main clause

10. Principle #2
Clauses must be combined in particular ways with particular punctuation marks in order to make complete, correct sentences.

11. Compound Sentences
Two main clauses cannot be combined with only a comma
This is called a comma splice
Example: She got her paycheck, she paid her bills.
Two main clauses cannot be combined without any punctuation.
This is called a fused sentence.
Example: She got her paycheck she paid her bills.

12. Compound Sentences
Two main clauses can be combined in the following ways:
MC, cc MC.
cc=coordinating conjunction
complete list: and, but, or, for, nor, yet, so
Example: She got her paycheck, and she paid her bills.
Note that you do not place a comma before a coordinating conjunction that separates a compound verb
She received and cashed her paycheck.

13. Compound Sentences, cont.
MC; MC.
Example: She got her paycheck; she paid her bills.
MC; ca, MC.
ca=conjunctive adverb (sometimes called transitional expression)
some examples: furthermore, therefore, otherwise, indeed, for example
Example: She got her paycheck; consequently, she paid her bills.

14. Compound Sentences, cont.
MC: MC.
The colon is only a good strategy if the second main clause explains or clarifies the first
Example: She can pay her bills now: she finally got her paycheck.

15. Complex Sentences
If the Subordinate Clause comes first, you will ordinarily use a comma
SC, MC.
Even though he woke up with a headache, he went to all of his classes.
If the Main Clause comes first, no punctuation is necessary
MC SC.
He went to all of his classes even though he woke up with a headache.

16. Summary
The first step in learning proper punctuation is to learn how to
distinguish between phrases and clauses
identify Main and Subordinate Clauses
know which punctuation marks are appropriate for which situations