5.1.1: Clause Joining and Punctuation

Clause Joining and Connectors

The Three Families of Connectors

There are three families of connectors: coordinators, subordinators, and transitional adverbs. Coordinators can join phrases (not complete ideas with both a subject and verb) or clauses (sentence parts that include a subject and a verb). Subordinators create dependent clauses that are connected to independent clauses. Transitional adverbs can join clauses but are rarely used in this way. Each type of connector takes different punctuation, and sometimes the punctuation depends on where the connector appears in the sentence. This is part of the reason why punctuation can be so confusing!

Below is a table of common connectors. . After the table, you will see the punctuation rules for each type.

Table 12.18 -- The Three Families of Connectors

Logical Relationship	Coordinators	Subordinators	Transitional Adverbs
	(Can join two independent clauses or phrases)	(Create dependent clauses which are connected with independent clauses)	(Usually used as transitions, but can connect independent clauses)
Addition	and		additionally also further furthermore moreover similarly
Cause	for	as because since
Choice/alternative	nor or		alternatively
Condition		if provided that unless as long as until	otherwise
Contrast	but yet	although even if even though though whereas while	however instead nevertheless on the other hand
Effect/Purpose	so	in order to (that) so that	as a result consequently hence therefore thus
Time		before after when while as soon as as since whenever until (with a condition)	subsequently

Coordinators and Compound Sentences

Coordinators can join two clauses or two phrases. When they join two independent clauses, the result is a compound sentence. There are only seven coordinators: For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So. You can remember them by this acronym:

F A N B O Y S

How to punctuate when using coordinators:

Only use a comma if you are using a coordinator to join two clauses. No commas is needed if you are joining two phrases. Here are some examples with brackets around the clauses and phrases.

[I am usually afraid of dogs], but [I love my sister's dog, Rex]. (Joining two independent clauses)

[Roses are red], and [violets are blue]. (Joining two independent clauses)

[I was tired after my journey], for [I had been traveling for hours.] (Note: "For" is used to introduce a reason.)

[The prickly rose] and [the lengthy brambles] scratched my skin. (Joining two phrases)

The following is a very tricky example:

{The instincts of both [dogs] and [cats] have been crippled by the human need to make these animals dependent upon us}, so {they rely on us for [their every need] and even for [emotional satisfaction]}. (Joining 2 phrases, 2 clauses, 2 phrases)

Watch Out! Students tend to overuse “and” and “but," yet they neglect the other coordinators that may more effectively show the relationship between their ideas.

Exercise 1

Join the following sentence pairs with a coordinating conjunction that represents the correct logic, and punctuate the new sentence correctly. You may need to change the order of the sentences.

1. Diane went to the animal shelter. She wanted a new dog.            Diane wanted a new dog, so she went to the animal shelter.

2. She loved her previous dog. He had passed away.

3. She had mourned for a while. Now she was ready for a new pet.

4. She played with a Yorkie. She played with a Terrier mix.

5. She couldn't decide whether to adopt a big dog. She couldn't decide whether to adopt a smaller dog.

6. They were both so sweet. She had to make a choice.

7. In the end, she decided on the Terrier mix. He seemed like a perfect mix of being snuggly, loving, and protective.

Transitional Adverbs (aka Transitions, Adverbial Conjunctions, or Conjunctive Adverbs)

Transitional adverbs indicate logical relationships between clauses but -- unlike coordinators and subordinators -- can move around and create various effects in the sentence.

Transitional adverbs always take some kind of punctuation after them. This is how to punctuate transitional adverbs:

• [Most dogs scare me]. However, [Rex is an exception].

(The first clause ends with a period and stands alone as a sentence. The second clause begins with the transitional adverb, which is capitalized and has a comma after it.)

• [Most dogs scare me]; however, [Rex is an exception]. (Note: This structure is rarely used and should generally be avoided.)

(The first clause ends with a semi-colon. The second clause begins with the transitional adverb, which is lowercase and has a comma after it.)

• [Most dogs scare me]. [Rex, however, is an exception].

(The first clause ends with a period and stands alone as a sentence. The transitional adverb interrupts the second clause and has commas around it to emphasize the contrast.)

• [Most dogs scare me]. [Rex is an exception, however].

(The first clause ends with a period, and stands alone as a sentence. The transitional adverb appears at the end of the sentence with a comma before it and a period after it. Placing the transitional adverb at the end of the sentence de-emphasizes the contrast.

In these examples, notice that the transition word could be placed in several different places in the second clause. The ability to move around and still sound right is how you know it is a transition word! You can’t do this with coordinators or subordinators.

Notice that when a transition word begins the second clause, the punctuation before the transition word is either a semi-colon or a period. If the transition word is in the middle of a clause, commas surround the transition word. If the transition word is at the end of the second clause, a comma comes before it and a period after.

Exercise 2

Use a transitional adverb that represents the correct logic, and punctuate the new sentence correctly. Place the transitional adverb in various locations: before a sentence, as an interrupter within the sentence, or at the end of a sentence. (Do NOT use a semicolon.)

1. Diane decided to take Buster to training. She wasn't sure what level of class they should attend.

2. He knew the commands "sit," "stay," and "heel." He did not know how to walk past other dogs politely.

3. She had not worked with Buster. She had taken classes with her previous dog.

4. She explained this to the SPCA employee, who could not really observe Buster in action. The employee recommended taking the beginning class.

5. Buster and Diane's first class went well. They decided to continue and ultimately finished the course

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