Compound and Complex Sentence Rules
This punctuation mark is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) in a compound sentence.
What is a comma?
Although we finished our work early we stayed quiet and read our books.
Although we finished our work early, we stayed quiet and read our books.
This is a word or group of words at the beginning of a sentence that adds information and is followed by a comma.
What is an Introductory Element?
After lunch we went outside for recess.
After lunch, we went outside for recess.
In the sentence:
Can you help me, Mia?
This punctuation mark comes before the name.
What is a comma?
In this type of sentence, a comma is used before the conjunction when two complete sentences are joined.
What is a compound sentence?
I wanted to play outside but I had to finish my homework first.
I wanted to play outside, but I had to finish my homework first.
At the beginning of a sentence, this comma-using part can be one word, a group of words, or a clause. (hint: these are three)
What are introductory words, phrases, or clauses?
Before the bell rang the class finished their work.
Before the bell rang, the class finished their work.
A short question added to the end of a sentence, like isn’t it?, needs a comma to separate it from the main sentence. What is this called?
What is a tag question?
This type of punctuation is used to separate three or more items within a series or list.
What is a comma?
My dad packed me a sandwich chips an apple and fruit snacks for lunch.
My dad packed me a sandwich, chips, an apple, and fruit snacks for lunch.
This is an example of a sentence that uses an introductory word.
Example: Suddenly, the alarm rang out loudly.
On Friday morning we took our spelling test.
On Friday morning, we took our spelling test.
Add the commas:
Thank you Mrs. Lee for helping us.
Thank you, Mrs. Lee, for helping us.
This word group cannot stand alone and often comes first in a complex sentence, followed by a comma.
What is a dependent clause?
We studied for the test and we felt confident about our answers.
We studied for the test, and we felt confident about our answers.
This is an example of a sentence that uses an introductory phrase.
Example: In the afternoon, we practiced grammar.
While we waited for the bus we talked quietly.
While we waited for the bus, we talked quietly.
Add the comma:
You’re coming to the game aren’t you?
You’re coming to the game, aren’t you?
Use this to separate items in a series that already contains commas.
What is a semicolon?
We learned about Albany New York Sacramento California Austin Texas and Denver Colorado during geography class.
We learned about Albany, New York; Sacramento, California; Austin, Texas; and Denver, Colorado during geography class.
This is an example of a sentence that uses an introductory clause.
Example: If you try your best, you will improve.
At the end of the day the teacher dismissed the class.
At the end of the day, the teacher dismissed the class.
Add the commas:
You brought your homework didn’t you Sam?
You brought your homework, didn’t you, Sam?