Online Writing Lab - (OWL)
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PUNCTUATION OF COMPOUND AND
COMPLEX SENTENCES
I. COMPOUND: A sentence having two or more
main or independent clauses (MC).
A. Two or more main clauses may be joined with a semicolon (;). MC; MC.
Ex: Carl Sagan likes stars; his TV series
revealed that to many Americans.
B. Two or more main clauses may be joined with a semicolon followed by a
conjunctive adverb* (CA). Ordinarily, a comma will be placed after the
conjunctive adverb. (MC; CA, MC.)
Ex: Carl Sagan says the same basic elements are
in every object in the universe; consequently, we are star stuff.
*These are some common conjunctive adverbs (CA): accordingly,
furthermore, namely, also, hence, nevertheless, anyhow, however, anyway,
indeed, still, besides, likewise, then, consequently, moreover, therefore
C. Two or more main clauses may be joined with a comma followed by a
coordinate conjunction (CC). MC, CC*MC.
Ex: Astronomy has been a branch of physics, but
it requires much specialization.
*These are some common coordinate conjunctions (CC): for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, so (Remember these with the mnemonic
word FANBOYS)
II. COMPLEX: A sentence having one main clause and one or more subordinate
clauses * (SC).
A. If a subordinate clause is placed before a main clause, it is set off
with a comma. (SC, MC).
Ex: When a spaceship was sent to Saturn,
astronomers discovered a new moon.
B. A comma is usually not needed in a complex sentence when the subordinate
clause is at the end. (MC SC).
Ex: More money is needed if additional space
research is to be done.
*Subordinate clauses are clauses which are preceded by a subordinating word.
These are some of the most common subordinate conjunctions: (SC)
ADVERBS
Time: when, while
since, before, after, until, as soon as, as long as, now that, by the time,
once
Place: where, wherever
Cause: because, since, as now, that
whereas, inasmuch as, as long as, on account of the fact that, owing to the
fact that, due to the fact that
Condition: if, unless, on condition
that, provided, providing, in the event that, whether ... or not, in case
that
Contrast: although, though, even though,
even if, in spite of, despite, notwithstanding, while, where, whereas
Purpose: so that, that, in order that
Manner: as if, as though
ADJECTIVES who, whom, whose, which, that
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