This cheat sheet explains how coordinate and subordinate clauses work in sentences. Students need these rules to write clearer compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences. It also helps students avoid fragments, comma splices, and run-on sentences.
The reference focuses on recognizing clause types and using correct punctuation.
Key Facts
- A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb.
- An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence, such as The rain stopped.
- Coordinate clauses are independent clauses joined with a coordinating conjunction, such as I studied, and I passed the quiz.
- The coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so, which can be remembered as FANBOYS.
- Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses, as in We packed snacks, but we forgot water.
- A subordinate clause has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence, such as because the bus was late.
- Common subordinating conjunctions include because, although, since, when, while, if, unless, before, and after.
- Use a comma after a beginning subordinate clause, as in Because the bus was late, we missed practice.
Vocabulary
- Clause
- A clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a verb.
- Independent Clause
- An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.
- Coordinate Clause
- A coordinate clause is an independent clause joined to another independent clause with a coordinating conjunction.
- Subordinate Clause
- A subordinate clause has a subject and verb but depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.
- Coordinating Conjunction
- A coordinating conjunction joins words, phrases, or independent clauses of equal importance.
- Subordinating Conjunction
- A subordinating conjunction begins a subordinate clause and shows a relationship such as time, cause, condition, or contrast.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Treating a subordinate clause as a complete sentence is wrong because a clause like although I practiced leaves the reader waiting for the main idea.
- Forgetting the comma before a coordinating conjunction between two independent clauses is wrong because the reader may not see where one complete thought ends and the next begins.
- Using only a comma to join two independent clauses is wrong because this creates a comma splice, such as I was tired, I finished my homework.
- Adding a comma before every coordinating conjunction is wrong because no comma is needed when the conjunction joins only words or short phrases, such as pencils and paper.
- Confusing subordinating and coordinating conjunctions is wrong because words like because and although make a clause dependent, while words like but and so can join equal independent clauses.
Practice Questions
- 1 Identify the two independent clauses and the coordinating conjunction in this sentence: Maya wanted to go outside, but the storm kept getting stronger.
- 2 Add correct punctuation to this sentence: Because the library was closed we studied at home.
- 3 Combine these two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction and correct punctuation: The team practiced every day. They improved quickly.
- 4 Explain why this is not a complete sentence: Although the experiment worked on the second try.