Punctuation in Types of Sentences

Independent clause: a clause that has a subject and a verb and can stand alone; a complete sentence
Dependent clause: a clause that has a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone; an incomplete
sentence

Simple: composed of 1 independent clause.

No standard punctuation.

Compound: composed of 2 or more independent clauses.

Join 2 independent clauses by a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so).
Road construction can be inconvenient, but it is necessary.
Join 2 independent clauses by a colon when you wish to emphasize the second clause.
Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town: parts of Main, Fifth, and West Street
are closed during the construction.
Join 2 independent clauses by a semicolon when the second clause restates the first or when the two
clauses are of equal emphasis.
Road construction in Dallas has hindered travel around town; streets have become covered with
bulldozers, trucks, and cones.

Complex: composed of 1 or more dependent clauses and 1 or more independent clauses.

Join an introductory dependent clause with the independent clause by a comma.
Because road construction has hindered travel around town, many people have opted to ride
bicycles or walk to work.
Many people have opted to ride bicycles or walk to work because road construction has hindered
travel around town.

Compound-Complex: composed of 1 or more dependent clauses and 2 or more independent

clauses.
Join an introductory dependent clause with an independent clause with a comma. Separate 2
independent clauses with a comma and a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, for, nor, so).
When it is filtered, water is cleaner, and it tastes better.
Join an introductory dependent clause with an independent clause with a comma. Separate 2
independent clauses by a colon when you wish to emphasize the second clause.
Whenever it is possible, you should filter your water: filtered water is cleaner and tastes better.
Join an introductory dependent clause with an independent clause with a comma. Separate 2
independent clauses by a semicolon when the second clause restates the first or when the two
clauses are of equal emphasis.
When it is filtered, water is cleaner and tastes better; all things considered, it is better for you.

Sentence Punctuation Patterns

To punctuate a sentence, you can use and combine some of these patterns. For more information on
independent and dependent clauses plus independent and dependent markers, see our handouts on
those subjects.
Pattern One: Simple sentence
This pattern is an example of a simple sentence:
Independent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma.
Pattern Two : Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction:
Independent clause [ , ] coordinating conjunction independent clause [ . ]
There are seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, but they don't know the reasons
for it.
Pattern Three: Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with a semicolon.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent clause [ . ]
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; they are unsure of its cause.
Pattern Four: Compound Sentence
This pattern is an example of a compound sentence with an independent marker.
Independent clause [ ; ] independent marker [ , ] independent clause [ . ]
Examples of independent markers are the following: therefore, moreover, thus, consequently, however, also.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma; therefore, they have called for
more research into its causes.
Pattern Five: Complex Sentence
This pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker.
Dependent marker dependent clause[ , ] Independent clause[ . ]
Examples of dependent markers are as follows: because, before, since, while, although, if, until, when, after,
as, as if.
Example: Because doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma, they have called for
more research into its causes.
Pattern Six: Complex Sentence
This pattern is an example of a complex sentence with a dependent marker.
Independent clause dependent marker dependent clause [ . ]
Examples of dependent markers are as follows: because, before, since, while, although, if, until, when, after,
as, as if.
Example: Doctors are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma because it is a common, treatable
illness.

Pattern Seven
This pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded non-essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause [ , ] non-essential clause or phrase, rest of the independent clause [ . ]
A non-essential clause or phrase is one that can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence or
making it ungrammatical. In other words, the non-essential clause or phrase gives additional information, but
the sentence can stand alone without it.
Example: Many doctors, including both pediatricians and family practice physicians, are concerned about
the rising death rate from asthma.
Pattern Eight
This pattern includes an independent clause with an embedded essential clause or phrase
First part of an independent clause essential clause or phrase rest of the independent clause [ . ]
An essential clause or phrase is one that cannot be removed without changing the overall meaning of the
sentence.
Example: Many doctors who are concerned about the rising death rate from asthma have called for more
research into its causes.

Commas vs. Semicolons in Compound Sentences

A group of words containing a subject and a verb and expressing a complete thought is called a sentence
or an independent clause. Sometimes, an independent clause stands alone as a sentence, and sometimes
two independent clauses are linked together into what is called a compound sentence. Depending on the
circumstances, one of two different punctuation marks can be used between the independent clauses in a
compound sentence: a comma or a semicolon. The choice is yours.

Comma (,)
Use a comma after the first independent clause when you link two independent clauses with one of the
following coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. For example:
I am going home, and I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon, but we managed to have our picnic anyway.
They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark, so they decided to camp for the night.

Semicolon (;)
Use a semicolon when you link two independent clauses with no connecting words. For example:
I am going home; I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon; we managed to have our picnic anyway.
They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; they decided to camp for the night.
You can also use a semicolon when you join two independent clauses together with one of the following
conjunctive adverbs (adverbs that join independent clauses): however, moreover, therefore, consequently,
otherwise, nevertheless, thus, etc. For example:
I am going home; moreover, I intend to stay there.
It rained heavily during the afternoon; however, we managed to have our picnic anyway.
They couldn't make it to the summit and back before dark; therefore, they decided to camp for the night.