Punctuating Complex Sentences

The general rule for punctuating complex sentences is this:

• If the subordinate clause comes first (and the main clause comes second), put a comma after the subordinate clause. (That is, separate the clauses with a comma).
• If the main clause comes first (and the subordinate clause comes second), do not put a comma after the main clause. (That is, do not separate the clauses with a comma).

Because I was in love, I did some foolish things.

I did some foolish things because I was in love.

 

You can also think of it in terms of "levels".

• If the bottom level comes first, add a comma.
• If the top level comes first, don't add a comma.

 

	I ate pizza.
Because I was hungry,

 

I ate pizza
	because I was hungry.

 

Instructions for the Quiz

The quiz consists of 10 complex sentences. For each sentence, decide:

• Yes, this sentence is punctuated correctly.
• No, this sentence is not punctuated correctly.

Quiz