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Clauses are a group of words that form parts of sentences. These clauses often need to be separated by commas. Let's take a look at how to correctly separate clauses using commas.
A clause is a group of words in a sentence that contains a subject and a verb. Sentences can be made of one clause or multiple clauses. There are two main types of clauses: independent and dependent.
An independent clause has a subject and verb and can be a sentence on its own: it's a complete sentence.
Here are some examples of independent clauses:
Example 1: I have a red car.
Example 2: He went to the store.
Example 3:The car is parked at home.
All of these sentences have a subject, verb, and form a complete thought and therefore are independent clauses.
On the other hand, a dependent clause has a subject and verb but cannot be a sentence on its own. It does not express a complete thought.
Let's look at some examples of dependent clauses:
Example 1: When my puppy grows up
Example 2: The girl that was singing
Example 3: Although the exam was hard
Unlike independent clauses, these examples have a subject and verb, but they do not form a complete thought. Therefore these are dependent clauses.
In English, commas are used as a pause or to separate different ideas. Used with clauses, commas indicate a separation between thoughts. They can be used to link independent and dependent clauses together.
Tip: If joining two independent clauses together, a conjunction needs to be used after the comma.
My car is red, but I prefer black cars.
This sentence links two independent clauses together: My car is red and I prefer black cars. Since two independent clauses are being joined together, the conjunction but is used.
When I go to the amusement park, I always ride roller coasters.
This sentence links a dependent clause (When I go to the amusement park) with an independent clause (I always ride roller coasters). In this case, no conjunction is needed.
Example Problem 1:
Where should the comma be placed in the following sentence?:
I was running late so I called my friend to let her know.
A. I was running late so I called my friend, to let her know.
B. I, was running late so I called my friend to let her know.
C. I was running late, so I called my friend to let her know.
D. No comma needed.
The correct answer is C. This sentence has two independent clauses and therefore needs a conjunction to help separate them. I was running late is the first independent clause and I called my friend to let her know is the second independent clause. So is the conjunction used to separate them and the comma goes before it: I was running late, so I called my friend to let her know.
Example Problem 2:
Where should the comma be placed in the following sentence?:
If I get a pay raise I will take a trip to Japan.
A. If I get a pay raise, I will take a trip to Japan.
B. If, I get a pay raise I will take a trip to Japan.
C. If I get a pay raise I will, take a trip to Japan.
D.If I get, a pay raise I will take a trip to Japan.
The correct answer is A. This sentence has a dependent clause If I get a pay raise and an independent clause I will take a trip to Japan. The comma goes in between the two clauses: If I get a pay raise, I will take a trip to Japan.
