Joining Sentences with Commas
Learning Objective
I can combine independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.
Key Concepts
The acronym FANBOYS can help you remember the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Subordinates connect two unequal things, specifically dependent and independent clauses.
When a sentence begins with a subordinate, a comma is placed directly after the first complete thought.
Practice Questions
This lesson includes 3 practice questions to reinforce learning.
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1. Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.
2. Rewrite the following two sentences as one sentence, using a comma and a coordinating conjunction: 'I went to the store. I bought milk.'
3. Explain why the following sentence does or does not need a comma: 'He likes to swim and play tennis.'
Educational Video
Comma story - Terisa Folaron
TED-Ed