SUBORDINATORS
These words combine clauses to create complex sentences.
See the comma rule page.
Time: when, while, since, before, after, until, once
Place: where, wherever
Cause: because, since, as, now that, inasmuch as
Condition: if, unless, on condition that
Contrast/Concession: although, even though, despite, in spite of
Adversative: while, where, whereas
Other: that, which, who, whoever, whom, what, why, how....
Note: These words introduce clauses, not complete sentences. Thus, when you use these words, you need to make sure to use these words in subordinate clauses that are connected to main clauses with a
comma.
Examples:
When you use subordinators, you must connect the clause containing the subordinator to a clause without a subordinator.
Although punctuation may seem trivial, not using punctuation correctly makes your sentences difficult to read.
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If the subordinate clause appears at the beginning of the sentence, use a comma to connect the clauses. Subordinate clauses are not connected with a comma when the subordinate clause is at the end of the sentence.
So, we have these rules:
- [Subordinator] + Subject + Verb , Subject + Verb. (comma)
- Subject + Verb [Subordinator] + Subject Verb. (no comma)
You can delete some subordinators and still have a complex sentence.
The man (whom) you saw robbed a bank. The comma (that) I added was not necessary.
CONJUNCTS
Use a semicolon with these words to combine complete
sentences.
Use a comma to separate these works in a sentence.
Enumerative: first, second, third . . .; 1, 2, 3, . . .; to begin with; in the first place, in the second place . . .; next, then; finally, to conclude
Reinforcing: also, furthermore, moreover, in addition, above all
Equative: equally, likewise, similarly, in the same way
Summative: in conclusion, to sum up
Apposition: namely, in other words, for example (e.g.), for instance, that is (i.e.), that is to say
Inferential: otherwise, in other words, in that case
Replacive: alternatively, rather, on the other hand
Antithetic: instead, on the contrary, in contrast, by comparison
Concessive: however, nevertheless, still, yet, in any case, at any rate, after all
Result: consequently, hence, therefore, thus, as a result
Note:
- These conjuncts are usually parenthetical; therefore, they are separated from the sentence by
commas.
- You can use these words to combine sentences; however, when you do, you must use a
semicolon (;).
So, these rules apply:
-
[Conjunct] , Subject + Verb.
-
Subject + Verb ; [conjunct], Subject + V
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