The Comma Continued: Clauses
The last subtopic of commas are clauses. We’ve already discussed how independent clauses need a comma and conjunction, or a semicolon, in order to be joined into one sentence to avoid a comma splice. Dependent clauses also require commas in order to join with a complete sentence. They cannot stand alone because they are not complete sentences, hence the name dependent. They depend on the rest of the sentence to be whole. A dependent clause can be an adverbial, nominal, or adjectival.
- Adverbial—functions as a modifier of a verb
Purpose of Adverbial |
Word |
Time |
After, as, as long as, as soon as, before, now, now that, once, since, till, until, when, whenever, while |
Concession |
Although, even though, if, though, while |
Contingency |
If, once |
Condition |
As long as, if, in case, provided that, unless |
Reason |
As long as, because, since |
Result |
So, so that |
Comparison |
As, as if, just as |
Contrast |
Whereas, while |
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Source: Kolln, Martha and Loretta Gray. Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. 6th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2010. Print. |
- Nominal—Functions like a noun or noun phrase
Type of Nominal |
Definition |
Appositive |
Renames the subject of the sentence and adds information about it Ex. The car that hit me, the blue Volvo, was totaled. *Note—sometimes a colon is used to introduce an appositive, but only after a complete independent clause. Ex. I’ll always have a soft spot for my first car: a silver Ford Escort. |
Sentence Appositive |
Renames or condenses the idea of the sentences as a whole into a dependent clause. Unlike other appositives, this kind is punctuated with an Em-Dash.Ex. The movie premiere was packed with A-list stars and busy photographers—a glamorous and expensive affair. |
Dangling Gerund |
When a verb phrase opens the sentence it requires a comma to join it. Ex. To exit the building, take a left at the bottom of the staircase. |
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Source: Kolln, Martha and Loretta Gray. Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. 6th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2010. Print. |
- Adjectival—Functions as a modifier of a noun
Type of Adjectival |
Definition |
Adjective Phrase |
When an adjective follows the subject of a sentence, it is set off by commas Ex. The basketball team, tall and lanky, practiced endlessly. |
Moveable Participle |
When an adjectival phrase is moved to the beginning of a sentence in order to modify the subject, it is set off by a comma Ex. Hurrying in the morning, I tried my best to leave on time. Because it is a moveable participle, the phrase can also come at the end of a sentence, also set off by a comma. Ex. I tried my best to leave on time, hurrying in the morning. |
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*Note—A participle refers to both the present and past forms of a verb when functioning as adjectivals. Present Pariciple= the –ing (gerund) form of a verb Past Participle=the form of the verb used with “have” to form active voice and “be” to form passive voice |
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Source: Kolln, Martha and Loretta Gray. “Coordination and Subordination.” Rhetorical Grammar: Grammatical Choices, Rhetorical Effects. 6th ed. New York: Pearson Education, 2010. Print. |
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