English teachers speak of dependent and independent clauses.

An independent clause is basically a complete sentence - "We ate the chocolate cake."   It contains a subject and a verb (we and ate.)

A dependent clause is not a complete sentence even though it contains a subject and a verb.- "After we finished the chocolate cake,"

Dependent clauses start with words such as

after         if                                    whether

although        in order that                    whichever

because        since                                      while

before          though

even if         unless

even though until

ever since         whenever

An independent clause which is a full sentence (We finished the chocolate cake.) is transformed into a dependent clause by adding one of the words on the above list (mostly subordinating conjunctions) (After we finished the chocolate cake,)

Dependent clauses are followed by a comma and are then followed by a complete sentence (independent clause):

After we finished the chocolate cake, we went shopping for a new wardrobe.

When he entered, the room became quiet. (notice how the comma brings clarity).

Notice if the sentence order is reversed, there may not be a comma:

We went shopping for a new wardrobe after we finished the chocolate cake.

Exercise:

Write three short independent clauses

1.____________________________________

2._____________________________________

3._____________________________________

Add one word in front of the three short independent clauses to transform them into dependent clauses:

1___________________________________________

2___________________________________________-

3_____________________________________________

Write three sentences where the dependent clause begins the sentence:

1_______________________________________________,__________________

2._______________________________________________,____________________

3________________________________________________,____________________

Write three sentences where an independent clause begins a sentence

1_____________________________________________________________

2___________________________________________________________

Memorize the following coordinating conjunctions:

and
but
or
nor
for
so
yet

Only coordinating conjunctions have the power to join two sentences together.

I found a recipe.
I made onion blossoms.

I found a recipe, and I made onion blossoms.

(incorrect: I found a recipe then I made onion blossoms.)
(incorrect: I found a recipe. Then I made onion blossoms.)

(correct: I found a recipe ,and then I made onion blossoms.)

He is a very smart student.
He is incredibly vain.
(correct) He is a very smart student, but he is incredibly vain.

There is usually a comma before the coordinating conjunction

Exception: short independent clauses do ‘t require commas (I ate and I slept.)

Exercise:

Write three sentences where two independent clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction:

1.________________________________________________________

2.________________________________________________________

3.________________________________________________________

The word "and" often confuses people in terms of proper use of a comma. If "and" is in the middle of a sentence and does not connect two independent clauses, no comma is required:

(Nancy is my very best friend and is very generous when it comes to Christmas presents.)

Write three sentences where the word "and" comes around the middle of the sentence, yet no comma is required:

1.________________________________________________________

2._______________________________________________________

3.______________________________________________________

When "however" "moreover" "furthermore" or "nevertheless" connect two independent clauses, punctuate as follows:

John is a nice kid; however, he can't be trusted.

I love my job; furthermore, I need the money.

The following is a listing of conjunctive adverbs:

Accordingly
Also
Anyway
Besides
Certainly
consequently
Conversely
Finally
Furthermore
Hence
However
Incidentally
Indeed
Instead
Likewise
Meanwhile
Moreover
Nevertheless
Next
Nonetheless
Otherwise
Similarly
Specifically
Still
Subsequently
Then
Therefore
Thus
 

Transitional phrases are treated in the same manner as conjunctive adverbs. The following is a listing of transitional phrases: