Today we will work again with complex sentences.
The words since, because, and if are all subordinate clause words. Anytime we use a subordinate clause word, we are writing a complex sentence.
When we begin with a subordinate clause word, we are beginning the sentence with a subordinate clause.
We must put a comma after the subordinate clause and before the independent clause, like this:
If you buy some flour and eggs, I can bake cookies.
We can rearrange this sentence so that the independent clause comes first, like this:
I can bake cookies if you buy some flour and eggs.
Notice that this sentence has no comma. When the subordinate clause word is in the middle of the sentence, we don’t use a comma.
Here are more examples of complex sentences using the subordinate clause words since, because, and if.
These sentences do not have a comma because the subordinate clause comes at the end of the sentence.
I can be home for dinner tonight since we have no soccer practice.
I am feeling sad because my kitten ran away.
Dad says I can visit the animal shelter if it’s open on Saturday.
I can’t ride my bike because the tire is flat.
We will eat dinner late since today is Friday.
You can use the words since, because, and if to begin a subordinate clause in a complex sentence. When the subordinate clause is at the end of the sentence, do not use a comma.