Punctuating Complex Sentences

All the sentences are complex (e.g., “If it’s raining, I’ll give you a ride.”) This means that some learners get a main clause and others get a subordinate clause. Their task is to make a sentence with the pattern “[subordinate conjunction] ______________ , _______________ .” I provide the cards with the clauses, and learners go around to find another learner whose clause goes with theirs to make a sentence.

It is easiest if the clauses on the sheets have capital letters and punctuation as needed.

When learners find that too easy, I write the clauses with no punctuation or capital letters, and provide a pile of papers with either periods or commas on them. Learners find their match; then the two of them pick punctuation as needed from the pile of periods and commas. If the subordinate clause comes first, they need a comma. If the main clause comes first, they don’t. Their choice.

To make it still more difficult, I give them pieces of paper that have only a main clause, with no capitals or end punctuation. Learners match themselves up, then choose from a pile of sheets with “since,” “if,” “because,” “when,” “whenever,” “although,” and use periods and commas from a pile as needed. Here they must think about putting the conjunction in the clause that is less important. For example, notice the difference between “While I was buying groceries, the dog died”; and “While the dog died, I was buying groceries.” Both are correct, and both might be said in a particular situation, but there is a difference in import.

Joining Clauses with “And,” “But,” and “Or”

All of the clauses are main clauses with no capitals or end punctuation. Learners match themselves up, then choose from a pile of sheets with “and,” “but,” or “or” to join the clauses together, and take one from a pile of sheets with periods. Some style manuals require a comma before the “and,” “but,” and “or.” If you follow this style, put out a pile of commas too.

Although the simple sentence, with one main clause, is the easiest to punctuate, this exercise of joining up two simple sentences with “and,” “but,” or “or” asks something more complicated. Learners must think about the relationship between the two main clauses and pick the appropriate word to join them.