From the course: Writing with Proper Punctuation

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When to use commas with dependent clauses

When to use commas with dependent clauses

From the course: Writing with Proper Punctuation

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When to use commas with dependent clauses

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- Dependent clauses are also known as subordinate clauses. But I like the name dependent because I think of them as being dependent on their main clause. Although dependent clauses contain a subject and a verb, they still can't stand alone as sentences because they start with a dependent marker word, like, although, if, because and until. For example, here's an independent clause or main clause, something that's a complete sentence. We went to the store. You can see, how that's a complete thought. But if you put a dependent marker word in front of it, suddenly, it's no longer a complete thought. Until we went to the store. That clearly needs more to be complete. What didn't happen until we went to the store? The funny thing about dependent clauses and commas, is that you use a comma when the dependent clause comes before the main clause but not when it comes after the main clause. For example, you need a comma after the…

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