Commas in Compound- Complex, Compound, and Complex Sentences

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Commas in Compound- Complex, Compound, and
Complex Sentences

• Lane Grizzard
• 1st Period
• Always my Best!

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Rule 1 Compound Sentences

• In a compound sentence, you have two independent
  clauses joined by a semicolon or a comma
  conjunction.
• You need to put a comma conjunction between the
  first independent clause and the second
  independent clause.
• Example Billy Joe needs to clean up his messy
  room, but he always refuses to clean it up.

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Rule 2 Complex Sentences

• In a complex sentence, there is one subordinate
  clause and one independent clause.
• Subordinate Clauses
• A subject and verb
• A signal word
• You need a comma between the subordinate and
  independent clause.
• Example Bryson is going to the walking trail,
  which is called the Greenway.

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Rule 3 Compound-Complex Sentences

• In a compound-complex sentence, you have two
  independent and one subordinate clause.
• You combine the two other rules together. You put
  a comma conjunction between the two independent
  clauses, and a comma between the subordinate and
  independent clauses.
• Example Although the language project was due on
  Monday, Billy Joe should have started on it the
  week before, but he started on it the day before
  it was due.

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Rule 4 Interrupting Subordinate Clauses

• In a compound-complex or just a complex sentence,
  you have interrupting subordinate clauses between
  independent clauses.
• You put a comma before you start the subordinate
  clause and after you end it.
• Example Bonnie, who sometimes plays the fiddle,
  is going to an Eminem concert late tomorrow
  night.

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Rule 5 Subordinate Clauses with No Commas

• Sometimes you have subordinate clauses with no
  comma because of the signal word.
• Look for the words when or that.
• Example My mom just went to the store that I
  just jogged around.

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Multiple Choice Question 1

• If you have a subordinate clause interrupting an
  independent clause, you
• A) put a comma a comma at the front of the
  subordinate clause.
• B) need to put a comma between the subject and
  verb of the subordinate clause.
• C) put a comma at the start and the end of the
  subordinate clause.
• D) put a comma and conjunction at the end of
  the subordinate clause.

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The Correct Answer is

• C

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Multiple Choice Question 2

• Choose where the comma should go in this
  sentence.
• Jamie is going to the park when my family is
  going to be at the grocery store.
• A) Jamie, is
• B) at, the
• C) park, when
• D) Correct as it is.

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The Correct Answer is

• D

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Multiple Choice Question 3

• What do you need to complete a compound sentence?
• A) Two subordinate clauses and a comma
  conjunction.
• B) Two independent clauses and a comma
  conjunction
• C) One independent and subordinate clause, plus
  a comma
• D) One independent clause

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The Correct Answer is

• B

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Multiple Choice Question 4

• In this sentence, choose where the comma should
  go.
• Although my mother wanted me to go inside I did
  not want to be bored so I kicked the kickball.
• A) Although, my so, I
• B) inside, I bored, so
• C) mother, wanted bored, so
• D) me, to kicked, the

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The Correct Answer is

• B

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Multiple Choice Question 5

• What purpose does the conjunction in a compound
  sentence serve?
• A) It separates the subordinate clause and the
  independent clause.
• B) It combines two subordinate clauses.
• C) A conjunction combines two adjectives.
• D) A conjunction combines two independent
  clauses with a comma.

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The Correct Answer is

• D

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Multiple Choice Question 6

• Where is a comma needed in a compound-complex
  sentence?
• A) Between the subordinate and independent
  clauses.
• B) Between the two independent clauses.
• C) Before a conjunction.
• D) All of the above.

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The Correct Answer is

• D

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Multiple Choice Question 7

• Choose the correct comma usage in these
  sentences.
• A) Mario, who likes to play video games, just
  got an Xbox 360.
• B) My mother, and my father got married in 1912.
• C) My sister loves to play the clarinet, that my
  grandfather got her.
• D) Lindsey, never plays outside while it is
  sunny.

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The Correct Answer is

• A

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Multiple Choice Question 8

• Which sentence doesnt have correct comma usage?
• A) Bobby is going to the store, but he cannot
  get any games to play.
• B) I havent heard if Bob is going to perform in
  the play, so I guess he isnt performing.
• C) Mrs. Black never gets mad, when I throw
  paper airplanes in her class.
• D) Mr. Gray, who loves reading, couldnt find a
  book to read, so I gave him a teaching book with
  grammar tips.

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The Correct Answer is

• C

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Multiple Choice Question 9

• Choose the sentence with the correct subject verb
  agreement.
• A) The members of the book club is going to read
  fifty books by the end of the year.
• B) The campers in the line have been waiting for
  twenty minutes to get a parking spot at the
  store.
• C) The dog of the two adults have not been
  vaccinated for heartworms.
• D) The cats that the old lady owned has died
  after they got ran over by a reindeer.

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The Correct Answer is

• B

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Multiple Choice Question 10

• Choose the correct place to put a comma in a
  complex sentence.
• A) Put a comma between the subordinate and
  independent clauses.
• B) Put a comma between the subordinate clause
  and the conjunction.
• C) A comma is needed between the two independent
  clauses.
• D) Put a comma where there is a prepositional
  phrase.

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The Correct Answer is

• A

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Works Cited Page

1. towson.edu
2. grammarbook.com
3. brainpop.com