Kinds of Sentences and Their Punctuation
A sentence may be one of four kinds, depending upon the number and type(s) of clauses it contains.
Review:
An independent clause contains a subject, a verb, and a complete thought.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/independentclause.jpg)
A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb, but no complete thought.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/dependentclause.jpg)
1. A SIMPLE SENTENCE has one independent clause.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/simplesentence.jpg)
Punctuation note: NO commas separate two compound elements (subject, verb, direct object, indirect object, subjective complement, etc.) in a simple sentence.
2. A COMPOUND SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined by
A. a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so),
B. a conjunctive adverb (e.g. however, therefore), or
C. a semicolon alone.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/compoundsentence.jpg)
A. COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (FANBOYS)
for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Coordinating conjunctions join equals to one another:words to words, phrases to phrases, clauses to clauses.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj1.jpg)
Coordinating conjunctions usually form looser connections than other conjunctions do.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj2.jpg)
Coordinating conjunctions go in between items joined, not at the beginning or end.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj3.jpg)
Punctuation with coordinating conjunctions:
When a coordinating conjunction joins two words, phrases, or subordinate clauses, no comma should be placed before the conjunction.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj4.jpg)
A coordinating conjunction joining three or more words, phrases, or subordinate clauses creates a series and requires commas between the elements.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj5.jpg)
A coordinating conjunction joining two independent clauses creates a compound sentence and requires a comma before the coordinating conjunction
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj6.jpg)
B. CORRELATIVE CONJUNCTIONS
either. . .or | both. . . and |
neither. . . nor | not only. . . but also |
These pairs of conjunctions require equal (parallel) structures after each one.
C. CONJUNCTIVE ADVERBS
These conjunctions join independent clauses together.
The following are frequently used conjunctive adverbs:
after all | in addition | next |
also | incidentally | nonetheless |
as a result | indeed | on the contrary |
besides | in fact | on the other hand |
consequently | in other words | otherwise |
finally | instead | still |
for example | likewise | then |
furthermore | meanwhile | therefore |
hence | moreover | thus |
however | nevertheless |
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj7.jpg)
Punctuation: | Place a semicolon before the conjunctive adverb and a comma after theconjunctive adverb. |
D. SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
These words are commonly used as subordinating conjunctions
after | in order (that) | unless |
although | insofar as | until |
as | in that | when |
as far as | lest | whenever |
as soon as | no matter how | where |
as if | now that | wherever |
as though | once | whether |
because | provided (that) | while |
before | since | why |
even if | so that | |
even though | supposing (that) | |
how | than | |
if | that | |
inasmuch as | though | |
in case (that) | till |
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj8.jpg)
A subordinating conjunction may appear at a sentence beginning or between two clauses in a sentence.
A subordinate conjunction usually provides a tighter connection between clauses than a coordinating conjunctions does.
Loose: | It is raining, so we have an umbrella. |
Tight: | Because it is raining, we have an umbrella. |
Punctuation Note: |
When the dependent clause is placed first in a sentence, use a comma between the two clauses. When the independent clause is placed first and the dependent clause second, do not separate the two clauses with a comma. |
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/conj9.jpg)
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, and C above):
A. Independent clause, coordinating conjunction independent clause.
B. Independent clause; conjunctive adverb, independent clause.
C. Independent clause; independent clause.
3. A COMPLEX SENTENCE has one dependent clause (headed by a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun ) joined to an independent clause.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/complexsentence.jpg)
Punctuation patterns (to match A, B, C and D above):
A. Dependent clause, independent clause
B. Independent clause dependent clause
C. Independent, nonessential dependent clause, clause.
D. Independent essential dependent clause clause.
4. A COMPOUND-COMPLEX SENTENCE has two independent clauses joined to one or more dependent clauses.
![](https://webapps.towson.edu/ows/compoundcomplexsent.jpg)
Punctuation patterns:
|
Follow the rules given above for compound and complex sentences.
|
A compound-complex sentence is merely a combination of the two.
|
CONNECTORS--COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES
Two independent clauses may be joined by
1. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) Ic, and ic
2. Conjunctive adverbs Ic; therefore, ic.
A dependent (subordinate) clause may be introduced by
1. Subordinating conjunctions (ADVERB CLAUSE) Dc, ic. or Ic dc.
2. Relative pronouns (ADJECTIVE CLAUSE) I, dc, c. or I dc c.
3. Relative pronoun, subordinating conjunctions, or adverbs (NOUN CLAUSE)
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