a punctuation mark used before 'but' or 'or' co-ordinating conjunctions in a compound sentence

a punctuation mark used to demarcate the first adverbial clause from the second main clause in an adverbial complex sentence

a punctuation mark used to demarcate the relative clause from the main clause in a relative complex sentence

a type of subordinate clause that begins with a subordinating conjunction

a type of subordinate clause that begins with a relative pronoun

Comma rules in four sentence types

English

Two types of clause

Four sentence types

A new subordinate clause: the non-finite (-ing) clause

A new sentence structure: the non-finite complex sentence

Using the comma rules in non-finite complex sentences

In this unit, pupils learn a fifth sentence type: the non-finite complex sentence. In 'Using five sentence types', pupils will learn about the subject and object of a clause.

In 'Simple, compound, adverbial and relative complex sentences', pupils revised the first three sentence types and learnt a fourth. In this unit, pupils will learn a fifth: the non-finite complex sentence.

In this unit, pupils learn a new sentence structure: the non-finite complex sentence. In so doing, they learn a new comma rule for how to separate a non-finite clause from a main clause. Pupils revise the other sentence structures they know: simple, compound, adverbial complex and relative complex.

Five sentence types

to separate adjectives in an expanded noun phrase

to show where a relative clause begins and ends 

Which of the following are ways a comma can be used? 

to show where a relative clause begins or ends

because a co-ordinating conjunction was used

Why has a comma been used in this sentence? Jun stepped into the warm, cosy classroom.

Which co-ordinating conjunctions require a comma before them in a compound sentence?

After we returned from church we did Art. 

We did Art after we returned from church.

Which version of this sentence requires a comma to be added?

My cousin who lives in Liverpool, is a cricket fanatic.

My cousin, who lives in Liverpool is a cricket fanatic. 

My cousin, who lives in Liverpool, is a cricket fanatic.

Which version of this sentence has the correct commas?

We could play with Jacob, or we could invite Sam Izzy and Alex.

We could play with Jacob, or we could invite Sam, Izzy and Alex.

We could play with Jacob or we could invite Sam Izzy and Alex.

Which version of this sentence has all the commas used correctly?

Match the type of simple sentence to the example. 

has main clauses joined by co-ordinating conjunctions 

has a main clause and an adverbial clause 

Match the type of sentence to its definition. 

What type of sentence is this? The door, which was made of steel, was impossible to break down.

What type of sentence is this? We all gasped as the fireworks shot into the sky.

The main clause can be interrupted by the relative clause.

Which of these are true of a relative complex sentence?

Before we could finish, Mrs Begum told us to pack away.

After that, we played football on the field.

Tick all the adverbial complex sentences. 

Exit Quiz

Which of the following are ways a comma can be used?