For Those Who Want To Pass the CSET Know Clauses

Compound Sentences

A compound sentence contains two independent clauses joined by a coordinator (also known as co-ordinating conjunction). The coordinators are as follows: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. (Helpful hint: The first letter of each of the coordinators spells FANBOYS.) Except for very short sentences, coordinators are always preceded by a comma.

Examples:

I tried to speak German, and my friend tried to speak French.

The subjects are “I” and “friend”. The verb is “tried” (in both places). The coordinator is “and”.

John played baseball, for Jill went shopping.

The subjects are “John” and “Jill”. The verbs are “played” and “went”. The coordinator is “for”.

John played baseball, so Jill went shopping.

The subjects are “John” and “Jill”. The verbs are “played” and “went”. The coordinator is “so”.

Complex Sentences

A complex sentence has an independent clause joined by one or more dependent clauses. A complex sentence always has a subordinator such as because, since, after, although, or when or a relative pronoun such as that, who, or which.

When a complex sentence begins with a subordinator, a comma is required at the end of the dependent clause. When the independent clause begins the sentence with subordinators in the middle, no comma is required.

Examples:

The students are studying because they have a test tomorrow.

The subjects are “students” and “they”. The verbs are “are studying” and “have”. The subordinator is “because”.