Conjunctions and Subordinators

We use a conjunction to combine two complete sentences. We put a comma before the conjunction.

There are seven conjunctions (FANBOYS): for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

When we combine two sentences using a conjunction and a comma, that is a compound sentence:

This sentence has a conjunction, and there is a comma before the conjunction.

We can also sometimes use a conjunction with no comma when we do not combine two sentences. That is not a compound sentence:

This sentence has a conjunction but no comma.

We also use a subordinator to combine two complete sentences. The punctuation rule is different.

There are many different subordinators: because, if, when, however, although, since

When we combine two sentences using a subordinator, that is a complex sentence.

There is no comma if the subordinator is in the middle of the sentence.

If the subordinator begins the sentence, there is comma.

In this quiz, choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated.