IXL | Commas with compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences

Correct the text by inserting or removing commas. There should be a total of two commas.

Katie likes floral arrangements with peonies but Porter prefers hydrangeas so they are compromising on a centerpiece with both.

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question

Correct the text by inserting or removing commas. There should be a total of one comma.

Before Coco Chanel began designing clothing she worked as a singer and as the manager of a millinery business in Paris.

key idea

Compound sentences

Use a comma to separate two complete sentences that are joined with a coordinating conjunction, such as and, or, but, or so.

We saw a flash of lightning, and seconds later we heard the rumble of thunder.

When a coordinating conjunction joins something else, such as noun, verb, or adverb phrases, do not use a comma. As a rule of thumb, use a comma only if there is both a subject and a verb following the coordinating conjunction.

Annie hurt her leg during a race and had to sit out the rest of the season.

Complex sentences

If a dependent clause is followed by a complete sentence, use a comma after the dependent clause. These dependent clauses usually start with a subordinating conjunction, such as after, although, as, because, before, if, since, unless, until, when, or while.

If she ever gets the chance, Terri would love to visit the Egyptian pyramids.

Compound-complex sentences

The above rules apply for compound-complex sentences, too.

Before the plane took off, we buckled our seatbelts, and the flight attendants gave safety instructions.

Max sprinted to the bus stop, and if he had been just a minute later, he would have missed the bus.

solution

Use a comma after before Coco Chanel began designing clothing, which is a dependent clause followed by a complete sentence.

Before Coco Chanel began designing clothing, she worked as a singer and as the manager of a millinery business in Paris.

No other commas are needed. Remember that there should not be a comma between singer and and. Here, and joins two phrases, not two complete sentences.

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Y.5Is the sentence simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex?

LL.3Commas with compound and complex sentences

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