English Language Arts
Grade 7
15 min
Commas: review
Commas: review
Tutorial Preview
1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Identify independent and dependent clauses within sentences.
Differentiate between simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences.
Correctly apply comma rules for compound sentences.
Correctly apply comma rules for complex sentences with introductory dependent clauses.
Correctly apply comma rules for compound-complex sentences.
Revise and edit sentences to ensure accurate comma placement based on sentence structure.
Ever wonder why a tiny comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence? 🤔 Let's unlock the power of punctuation to make your writing crystal clear!
In this lesson, we'll review how commas work with different types of sentences: compound, complex, and compound-complex. Understanding these rules is crucial for writin...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
Independent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb and expresses a complete thought. It can stand alone as a sentence.The cat slept soundly.
Dependent ClauseA group of words that contains a subject and a verb but does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand alone as a sentence and often begins with a subordinating conjunction.Because the cat was tired
Compound SentenceA sentence made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) and a comma.The sun was shining, but a cool breeze blew.
Complex SentenceA sentence made up of one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses. The dependent clause often provides additional information about the independent clause.Although it rained all morning, we st...
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Key Rules & Conventions
Comma with Coordinating Conjunctions in Compound Sentences
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when it joins two independent clauses.
This rule helps separate two complete thoughts that are linked together, making the sentence easier to read and understand. Remember, if the conjunction joins two words or phrases (not two full clauses), no comma is needed.
Comma with Introductory Dependent Clauses in Complex Sentences
Use a comma after a dependent clause that introduces an independent clause.
When a dependent clause comes at the beginning of a sentence, it acts as an introduction to the main idea. The comma signals a pause before the independent clause begins, improving clarity. If the dependent clause comes after the independent clause, no comma is usuall...
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Challenging
Which of the following options best combines these three simple sentences into a single, correctly punctuated compound-complex sentence? 'The alarm rang. I was still tired. I got out of bed anyway.'
A.The alarm rang, and I was still tired, but I got out of bed anyway.
B.Although I was still tired when the alarm rang, I got out of bed anyway.
C.When the alarm rang, I was still tired, but I got out of bed anyway.
D.The alarm rang and I was still tired, so I got out of bed anyway.
Challenging
Read the following sentence: 'If the weather is nice we will have a picnic and my dad will grill burgers but we will eat inside if it rains.' Which option shows the most effective and grammatically correct revision?
A.If the weather is nice, we will have a picnic, and my dad will grill burgers, but we will eat inside if it rains.
B.If the weather is nice we will have a picnic, and my dad will grill burgers, but, we will eat inside if it rains.
C.If the weather is nice, we will have a picnic and my dad will grill burgers, but we will eat inside, if it rains.
D.If the weather is nice, we will have a picnic; and my dad will grill burgers, but we will eat inside if it rains.
Challenging
All of the following sentences are structurally similar EXCEPT one. Which sentence has a different underlying structure and comma rule application?
A.When the sun sets, the temperature drops, and the crickets begin to chirp.
B.Because he was late, he missed the introduction, so he had to ask what happened.
C.After we ate dinner, we cleared the table, and my sister washed the dishes.
D.I enjoy reading fantasy novels, but my friend prefers historical fiction.
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