Two Ways to Join Sentences: Subordination and Coordination

Clauses:
A clause consists of a subject and a complete verb, along with its modifiers. A clause can either be independent (meaning that it can stand alone as a sentence) or dependent or subordinate (meaning that the clauses must be joined to another sentence). Independent clause: Dependent clause: (fragment, wrong) My dog can catch a Frisbee in her teeth. Because my dog can catch a Frisbee in her teeth.

Coordination:
You can join two independent clauses with (1) a conjunction, (2), a semicolon, (3) a semicolon and a conjunctive adverb (adverbial conjunction), (4) a semicolon and a transitional expression, or (5) a colon. When you dont follow the guidelines below, you can end up with a comma splice (you use only a common but no conjunction) or a runon (you just run one sentence into the next with no punctuation or conjunctions). 1. Coordinating conjunctions (coordinators): and, or, nor, so for, but, yet. (Use the acronym FANBOYS to remember them: For, And, Nor But, Or, Yet, So.) This is one of the most common and simple ways to connect two independent clauses (two sentences): Our family has a cat, and we also have two dogs. Sophie is a German Shepherd, but Grice is a mixed-breed. Sophie is not much of a lady, nor is Grice a gentleman. 2. The Semicolon: Use to join two sentences when the idea in each is related, when you want to give equal emphasis to both ideas, or you want to create a briefer pause than a period creates: Sophie is an obedient and responsive dog outside; Grice is aggressive and hard to control. The dogs generally sleep when we do; they have completely adapted to our schedules. 3. Conjunctive Adverbs and a Semicolon: Use these to express a relationship between two sentences. Adverbs can be moved around within the sentence, but a conjunction cannot. The semicolon is really what is joining the sentence, but the conjunctive adverb can express the relationship between the two sentences. With a conjunctive adverb: Sophie is a German Shepherd; however, Grice is a mixed-breed. Sophie is a German Shepherd; Grice is a mixed-breed, however. Sophie is a German Shepherd; Grice, however, is a mixed-breed. With a conjunction: Sophie is a German Shepherd, but Grice is a mixed-breed. Wrong: Sophie is a German Shepherd; but Grice is a mixed-breed.

Wrong: Sophie is a German Shepherd; Grice, but, is a mixed-breed. (This last example shows how a conjunction cannot be moved around.) Here is a list of many conjunctive adverbs: Result: Concession: Apposition: Addition: Time: Contrast: Summary: Reinforcement: therefore, consequently, as a result, of course, hence nevertheless, yet, at any rate, still after all, of course For example, for instance, that is. namely, in other words moreover, furthermore, also, likewise, further, besides meanwhile, in the meantime, then however, instead, in contrast, rather accordingly, thus, in conclusion, then further, in particular, indeed, above, in fact

When you are using these conjunctive adverbs to join two sentences, you need the semicolon before them and the comma after them. If they are not being used to join two sentences, these special adverbs are almost always separated from the other parts of the sentence by commas. When they are at the beginning or end of a clause, they are followed or preceded by a comma: I wanted to save money at the movies. Therefore, I went to an early matinee. The multiplex has shows from 3:00 on, for example. When they occur in the middle of the sentence (just one independent clause), they should have commas on both sides: I was thinking, however, that I might not make it to the 3:00 show. 4. Transitional Expressions and a Semicolon: These work the same way as the conjunctive adverbs to join sentences: I had gathered up all the leaves and placed them in the compost pile; in addition, I cut down some branches that were hanging over the driveway. They are also punctuated in the same way as conjunctive adverbs when they occur within one sentence: At any rate, I felt this was a good start on spring cleaning. You should know, at any rate, that I would never take advantage of you. She was delighted, in fact. Here are some common transitional expressions: after all, after a while, as a result, at any rate, at the same time, for example, for instance, in addition, in fact, in other words, in particular, in

the first place, in the second place, etc., on the contrary, on the other hand. 5. Colons are similar to semicolons, except that with a colon, the second clause further explains or amplifies the first. Its as if you were writing the same thing twice, but in different words. My dog has a lot of anxiety: she appears to worry a good deal about me.

Subordination:
You subordinate one sentence to another when you join two clauses together in order to emphasize the ideas in one sentence or when you want to show a connection between two sentences. Whenever there is a relationship between two sentences that can be expressed with a subordinator, it is usually best to do it as it helps readers follow your chain of thought. With this construction, instead of talking about two sentences joined together, it is more customary to refer to one sentence consisting of two clauses, one of them independent and the other dependent or subordinate. Here is a list of common subordinators: Time: when, whenever, after, as, before, once, since, till, until, now, that, while, as long as, as soon as. Concession: though, although, even though, if, while. Contingency: if, once Condition: if, in case, as long as, unless, provided that, wherever. Reason: Because, since, as long as. Result: so, so that. Comparison: as, just as, as if. Contrast: while, whereas. Subordinate clauses that precede independent clauses are always set off by commas, unless they are very short (fewer than 5 words) and there is no chance for misreading: Because the weather is nice out today, we will take a long walk. If you happen to come across Allen, Thomas will be very anxious to talk with him. When you see him tell him I am ready. (short clause, no misreading possible) When the subordinate clause comes after the independent clause, you typically use no comma, unless the subordinator is reversing the direction of thought, as it would with even though and although: Ill meet you around 7:30, even though I would prefer to go much later than that. Im sending you $500 dollars towards your rent, although I would much prefer that you get a job.

Relative Pronouns You can also add subordinate clauses to main clauses with the relative pronouns which, who, whom, whose, that. I thought about visiting my unpleasant relatives, which is almost more than I can bear. He is an interesting man whom I have always enjoyed. I like a book that has a well-crafted plot. Set off a relative clause with commas if the information in the clause is not needed to identify the noun: My sister Patrice, whose children are well-behaved, is always welcome. The dog who lives next door is a German shepherd, but the one down the block is a pug. (This dog is being distinguished from other dogs, thus no commas.) That dog, who lives next door, is a German shepherd. (Were only talking about one dog, so the information that she lives next door is not needed to identify her).