English grammar explained in plain language simple enough to be understood.
The conjunction and is one of the FANBOYS. We use and to join two simple sentences into a compound sentence. A compound sentence has two complete thoughts. Bob is writing a story, and Mary is drawing a picture. Do you… Read more212. Using the Conjunction And
There is sometimes confusion about when to use a comma with the conjunction and. Here is a simple rule: use ,and whenever you could have used a period. Let me show you what I mean. John plays baseball, and his… Read more213. Fixing Mistakes with the Comma
Section A: A simple sentence has only one main idea. A compound sentence is two simple sentences joined with a comma and conjunction. Decide if each sentence below is simple or compound.1. Yesterday the track team ran laps around the… Read more215. Practice Using the Conjunction And
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause. The subordinate clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction. Let me show you what that means: The word when is a subordinating conjunction. Anytime you begin a… Read more216. Complex Sentences Using When and If
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause. The subordinate clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction.Today we’ll talk about two subordinating conjunctions that can begin a complex sentence: as and while. As I was… Read more217. Complex Sentences Using As and While
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause.The subordinate clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction. Let’s look at what that means. The word since is a subordinating conjunction. When you begin with the word… Read more218. Complex Sentences Using Since and Because
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause.The subordinate clause always begins with a subordinating conjunction.Here are two subordinating conjunctions that begin subordinate clauses: before and after. Anytime you begin a sentence with the word… Read more219. Complex Sentences Using Before and After
Section A: Read each sentence below. Decide – is it a complex sentence or not?1. I bought a cake mix at the store.2. If you read the directions, it will tell you how to bake the cake. 3. Since you… Read more220. Practice Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has two parts: a subordinate clause and an independent clause. The subordinate clause begins with a subordinating conjunction and must be joined to an independent clause. The word although is a subordinating conjunction. If you begin a… Read more221. Complex Sentences Using Although and Though
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