L4: Subordinating Conjunctions (w/ Coordinating Conjunctions Review)

​SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

​(w/ a Coordinating Conjunctions Review)

​Independent and Dependent Clauses

• Independent clauses are simple sentences.

• They express ONE complete thought.

• They make sense.

• They can stand alone.

• Example: We played football yesterday.

• ​Dependent clauses are sentence fragments.

• ​They do not make sense on their own.

• ​They cannot stand alone.

• ​They start with a subordinating conjunction.

• ​Example: After the game.

• Check everything to the left of the comma to see if it is a complete sentence.

• Next, check to the right of the comma to see if that is a complete thought.

• If both clauses are complete, then you need to make sure that you have a comma and a F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.

• Remember: Sentence on the left, sentence on the right, comma and a FANBOY makes it right!!!!

​Read the following sentences.

​Write your answers on your paper.

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• A subordinate clause is a fragment that relies on the independent clause of the sentence.

• If the dependent clause (subordinating clause) comes first in the sentence, use a comma to separate the clauses.

Ex. When the bell rang, the students packed up and left the room.

• If the dependent clause (subordinating clause) comes after the independent clause, do not use a comma to separate the clauses.

Ex. The students packed up and left the room when the bell rang.

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Rule #1: If a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, you need a comma after the dependent clause.

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Example: If you do well on your test, you will have free time.

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Rule #1: If a sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction, you need a comma after the dependent clause.

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Another Example:

While I am not a football fan, I enjoy the Super Bowl commercials.

Rule #2: If the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence, you do not need a comma before the dependent clause.

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Example: You will have free time if you do well on your test.

Rule #2: If the subordinating conjunction is in the middle of the sentence, you do not need a comma before the dependent clause.

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Another Example:

The children had to go to school unless the weather was too bad.