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Parts I-IV— Punctuation Professor Stevens, Eng. 28

Subordinating Connectors (Subordinators/Complex)

WARNING: Do not go beyond this punctuation section until you have accomplished the following:

1. Memorize all the subordinators listed below, all FORTY of them in order alphabetically.

2.     Memorized all the coordinators listed below, all of them in order.

3.     Because you accomplished 1 and 2 above, you do not have to memorize the hundreds and hundreds of conjunctive adverbs (See list below).  Since you know the subordinators, you can identify "nothing words" or conjunctive adverbs, which require a semicolon to connect two sentences.

You are required to memorize the subordinators below.  Knowing these connectors will help you to properly use the comma in your writing assignments.  You will be expected to write a list of them during the second week of class from memory.

The subordinators listed below create complex sentence that contain at least one dependent clause and no more than one independent clause:

The Subordinators

1. Connects two sentences: John ran away when he did.  "When," a subordinator, creates a complex sentence; a complex sentence uses a subordinator as the connector.

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2. Create fragments when second subject and very are not present: Although the world is round.  The clause, "Although the world," is a fragment.  To correct this fragment just remove the fragment maker "although:"  The world is round.  Hence, all of the words are possible fragment makers unless the clause it is with is attached to a sentence.  For example: Although the world is round, people always walk on a flat surface.  The fragment, "Although the world is young (subordinate clause)," is attached to the sentence, "People always walk on a flat surface."

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3. When the subordinator begins the sentence, a comma is required after the subordinate clause: Unless it is too late, we can go to the show.

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4. When the subordinator is in the middle of the two sentences, a comma is never required: Parents want to help their kids although they are too busy to do it often.

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5. Subordinators do not make each sentence equal in importance.  The sentence with the subordinator in front of it is subordinated to the other sentence.  In the sentence in item #4 above, "They are too busy to do it often," is subordinated to the sentence, "Parents want to help their kids."

Subordinating Connectors Alphabetically
Memorization Format

after	once	whenever
although	provided	where
as	rather than	whereas
as if	since	wherever
as long as	so that	whether
as though	than	which
because	that	while
before	though	who
even if	till	whoever
even though	unless	whom
if	until	whomever
if only	what	whose
in order that	whatever
now that	when

Subordinating Connectors by Usage

Cause or effect	Condition	Comparison	Space or time
as	even if	or contrast	after
because	if	as	as long as
in order that	if only	as if	before
since	provided	as though	now that
so that	since	rather than	once
unless	whereas	than	since
	when	whenever	till
		whether	until
Concession		whether	when
although		while	whenever
as if			where
even if		Purpose	wherever
even though		in order that	while
though		so that
		that

Source: Fowler HR, Aaron JE. The Little, Brown Handbook., Addison, Wesley,
Longman, New York.

In the sentence below “although” is the connector for the two sentences

· The class finished their assignment although they did not have sufficient time to do it.

Relative Pronouns used as (more) Subordinators

which	what	whoever	who
that	whatever	whomever	whose
			whom

         Relative pronouns are also subordinators that act as subjects or objects in their own clause.

· What everyone wants to do is arrive on time. What every one wants to do is the subject and is the verb. 

On the other hand: "Who" can be both the subject and connector.

· Larry wants to be with them who is a friend of mine.  Who is the subordinator and who is the subject (a relative pronoun) of the subordinate clause, who is a friend of mine.

The final WORD: Subordinators

1. Complex Sentence: Connects two sentences creating a complex sentence: I went although you didn't.  A complex sentence contains two sentences with a connector, a subordinator.

2. Create fragments when second subject & verb not present . . . although you went = fragment.

3. When the subordinator begins the sentence, a comma is required after the subordinate clause.  Although you went, (comma required) I didn't.

4. When the subordinator is in the middle of the two sentences, no comma is required.  I didn't although you went.

RP or Relative Pronoun, can be used as the subject of the subordinate clause.   Jim is my friend who travels with us.—who acts as the subordinator and the subject of the subordinate clause—who travels with us.

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In the sentence below “although” is the connector that connects the two sentences on each side of the subordinator "although."

· The class finished their assignment although they did not have enough time to do it.

Relative pronouns are also subordinators that act as subjects or objects in their own clause. 

· Arriving on time is what everyone wants to do, especially Larry who is always on time.

7. What is the subordinator and everyone wants is its subject and verb
8. Who is the subordinator and who is the subject (relative pronoun) and is its verb.

A subordinating conjunction is a word that connects two groups of words that are not used in the same way—that is, they are not the same part of speech and they are not grammatically alike. Some commonly used subordinating conjunctions are after, because, before, how, if, since, than, though, until, when, where, and while.

NO COMMA IN A COMPLEX SENTENCE:

No comma is need when the subordinator comes in the middle of the complex sentence.

Bobby played in the park until it got dark.

The movie was funnier than I had expected.

COMMA REQUIRED AFTER THE SUBORDINATE CLAUSE (includes a subordinator with a subject and verb):

Sometimes a subordinating conjunction comes at the beginning of a sentence, and the comma is required after the subordinate clause which is underlined.

Since you are here, let's rehearse.

After Margaret had lunch, she took a nap.

Sets off a subordinate clause or a long phrase that precedes a principal clause in a complex sentence (The subordinator begins the sentence):

9. By the time that we found the restaurant, we were starved. 10. Although I looked for the dog, it was no where to be found.

Coordinators (Compound)
(Usually referred to as Conjunctions, or Coordinating Conjunctions)

A compound sentence is made up of two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (here referred as "coordinator)—and, or, nor, but, yet, for and a comma.  The independent clauses must be simple sentences. The Coordinators—and, but, or, nor, yet, so, for--do the following:

1. Connects two sentences: John slipped on the puddle, and his girlfriend slipped too.  The connector is not and it is the "comma plus and."  The connector is NOT, and it is NOT the comma; it is the comma + the coordinator.
2. Coordinators connect two sentences, and are equal in importance.  These type of sentences are called compound sentences.
3. Coordinators can also connect words and phrases, such as "Mary and John"  "making money and spending it" (see below).

Simplify put coordinators connect words or groups of words.

Coordinators; Separates the parts of a compound sentence connected by a coordinator plus comma

1. A difference exists between the musical works of Handel and Haydn, and it is a difference worth noting.
2. I heard what you said, and I am furious.

3. I got out of the car, and I walked and walked

Coordinators:

Connect Two or More Items
A coordinator also connects two-or-more-words or two-or-more-groups of words that are used in the same way—that is, they are the same part of speech or they are grammatically alike. The coordinators are and, but, or, nor, yet, so and for that can connect words or groups of words that all are all similar in usage.

	We are going to play cards or dominos. We're going to be Superman and Batman this Halloween.
Series--Separates and or from the final item in a series of three or more (optional):	Red, yellow (,) and blue may be mixed to produce all colors. (,) = comma is optional
Series--Separates two or more adjectives modifying the same noun if and could be used between them without altering the meaning.	He moved the solid, heavy desk. They walked down the long, dark road.

Final Word on Commas

Use a comma to separate a series in a series (three or more things), including the last two. "He hit the ball, dropped the bat, and ran to first base." You may have learned that the comma before the "and" is unnecessary, which is fine if you're in control of things. However, there are situations when, if you don't use this comma (especially when the list is complex or lengthy), these last two items in the list will try to glom together (like macaroni and cheese). Using a comma between all the items in a series, including the last two, avoids this problem. This last comma—the one between the word "and" and the preceding word—often called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. In newspaper writing, incidentally, you will seldom find a serial comma, but that is not necessarily a sign that it should be omitted in academic prose.

Use a comma + a little coordinator (and, but, for, nor, yet, or, so) to connect two sentences, as in "He hit the ball well, but he ran toward third base."  Contending that the coordinator is adequate separation, some writers will leave out the comma in a sentence with short, balanced independent clauses (such as we see in the example just given). However, in this course it will be required that you use a "comma + coordinator" to connect two sentences; hence, use the comma + coordinator when connecting two sentences.

One of the most frequent errors in comma usage is the placement of a comma after a coordinator. Do not use a comma after a coordinator; there is rarely a good reason to put a comma after a coordinator.

Use a comma to set off introductory elements, as in "Running toward third base, he suddenly realized how stupid he looked." 

Conjunctive Adverbs or Transition Words

           The words, conjunctive adverbs, listed below do not do anything except introduce or take you from on part of a sentence to another.  The conjunctive adverbs in the example below do not connect anything.  #1 below introduces the sentence.  #2 below used as a transition word to take the reader from one part of the sentence to the next.  Therefore, if the "word" is NOT a coordinator or subordinator, it is a NOTHING WORD.  The connector is item #2 is the semicolon (;).

            Conjunctive adverbs are NOT CONNECTORS.  They are NOTHING WORDS.  These words cannot connect two sentences.  These words DO NOT punctuate.  For example, in the sentence below the word "hence" is not connecting anything.  It just sits and does nothing.  The connector in the sentence is the semicolon; the semicolon is the connector.  We are going to enjoy a show together; hence, we will purchase snacks at the show. 

On the other hand,  they can be used properly three ways:

1. To introduce a sentence:  Consequently, I will be late to the meeting.  Here "consequently" is used as an introductory word to begin the sentence.
2. To move from one part of a compound sentence to another, simply put to connect two sentences with a semicolon: I have finished my work; therefore, I will relax in the park.  Used to connect two sentences.  The semicolon connects the two sentences, not "therefore."

Transition words and phrases help establish clear connections between ideas and ensure that sentences and paragraphs flow together smoothly, making them easier to read. Use the following words and phrases in the following circumstances.

Separates the clauses of a compound sentence having no coordinating conjunction:	Relaxation techniques have improved; people want to find out about them.
Separates clauses of a compound sentence joined by a conjunctive adverb, such as however, nonetheless, or hence:	We insisted upon a chairman; however, the members of the committee refused.  Interest rates rose last year; therefore, real estate prices took a downward plunge.

Alphabetically Transitional Words

additionally in addition admittedly afterwards also as well assuredly at first at this level basically before long besides that certainly clearly consequently finally first…second…third following this further furthermore generally generally speaking

granted hence however in conclusion in final consideration in general in other words in the final analysis in the first place in the light of the in the meantime in the same way in this situation indeed it is easy to see that just in the same way lastly later meanwhile moreover nevertheless

next no doubt nobody denies obviously of course to be sure on the contrary on the other hand point in fact pursuing this further second similarly soon specifically then third to be sure true undoubtedly unquestionably

By Usage  Transitional Words

To indicate more information: Also Besides Furthermore further In addition incidentally Indeed In fact Moreover Second...Third..., etc.	To indicate an example: For example For instance In particular Particularly Specifically To demonstrate To illustrate
To indicate time: Currently Eventually Finally First . . . Second . . . etc. Former Immediately Initially Lastly Later Meanwhile Next Previously Simultaneously Soon Subsequently thereafter then	To indicate a cause or an effect: Accordingly As a result Consequently Due to Finally For the reason that Hence similarly Therefore Thus
To indicate a purpose or reason why: For fear that In the hope that In order to With this in mind	To indicate emphasis: certainly indeed in fact undoubtedly
To compare or contrast: However In comparison In contrast Likewise Nevertheless nonetheless On the other hand Similarly otherwise	To conclude or summarize: Given these facts Hence In conclusion Therefore Thus To conclude Briefly Overall Summing up

Source: Fowler HR, Aaron JE. The Little, Brown Handbook., Addison, Wesley, Longman, New York.

Five Ways to Connect Sentences

Coordinator: a Compound Sentence

Sentence

{

, and , but , or , yet , so , for

}

Sentence

Subordinator—Middle: a Complex Sentence

Sentence

{

since if unless because when while as before until where

}

Sentence

Subordinator—Front: a Complex Sentence

Since If Unless Because When While As Before Until Where

}

Subordinator Sentence, Sentence

Semicolon w/o an Introductory Word: a Compound Sentence

Sentence

;

Sentence

Semicolon w/an introductory word: a Compound Sentence

Sentence Pattern

{

; suddenly, ; however, ; then, ; also, ; therefore, ; furthermore,

}

Sentence Pattern

Grammar Lessons and Quizzes on the Web
AFTER YOU COMPLETE THE LESSONS BELOW

1. Quiz: Subordinators (Complex)
2. Quiz and review: Run-Ons
3. Quiz: Coordinators (Compound)

Quiz and review: Sentence Fragments

More Comma Exercises on the Web

1. Review: Commas
2. Quiz: Various Punctuations
3. Quiz: Commas
4. Quiz: Capitalization

Quiz: Coordinators (Compound) Quiz and review: Sentence Fragments