English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
When you begin a sentence with the word unless, you are writing a subordinate clause. You will need to add an independent clause to complete your complex sentence. Until you have decided on a colorUntil we rake the lawnUntil the… Read more222. Complex Sentences Using Until and Unless
The words whenever and wherever are subordinating conjunctions. If you begin a sentence with whenever or wherever, you are writing a subordinate clause. You must add a comma and an independent clause to make a complete sentence. Incomplete clauses with… Read more223. Complex Sentences Using Whenever and Wherever
A complex sentence combines a subordinate clause with an independent clause.The words after and before are subordinate clause words. We can use those words to begin a subordinate clause. Here is a complex sentence that begins with the subordinate clause… Read more226. Rearranging Complex Sentences
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,… Read more227. More Rearranging of Complex Sentences
A complex sentence is made up of two clauses: an independent clause and a subordinate clause. Today we will practice writing complex sentences with the subordinate clause words while, when, whenever, unless and until. Here is a complex sentence beginning… Read more228. Punctuating Complex Sentences
We talked awhile back about using coordinating conjunctions to join two simple sentences. When you use a comma and one of the FANBOYS to join two simple sentences, you make a compound sentence. The word but is a coordinating conjunction;… Read more232. Comma with But; No Comma with Because
A compound sentence is made up of two complete thoughts joined together with a coordinating conjunction. Each complete thought is a simple sentence, so two simple sentences make a compound sentence. Join two simple sentences with a comma and one… Read more233. Switching the Clauses in a Compound Sentence
An interjection is an abrupt word that interrupts a thought. An interjection is usually found at the very beginning of a sentence. Here are some examples of sentences with interjections:Wow, that’s a lot of dirt on your driveway!Oops, I didn’t… Read more391. Using a Comma with an Interjection
We sometimes begin a sentence with a prepositional phrase. This is called an introductory phrase. Always use a comma after an introductory phrase. Here are some sentence examples:After breakfast, Meg did the laundry.Before dinner, Sam practiced his piano piece.At the… Read more392. Put a Comma after an Introductory Phrase
When we use a word formed from a verb as a describing word, we call it a participle. A participial phrase is a group of words used to describe a noun. We often use a participial phrase at the beginning… Read more393. Use a Comma after an Introductory Participial Phrase