IXL | Commas with compound and complex sentences

Correct the text by inserting one comma.

Should visitors to our national parks be able to use their phones freely or should phone use be restricted?

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question

Correct the text by inserting one comma.

The center of the earthquake was located about twenty miles beneath the ocean floor but tremors were felt more than two hundred miles away.

key idea

In a compound sentence, use a comma before the coordinating conjunction that joins the two independent clauses. Examples of coordinating conjunctions are and, or, but, and so.

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

In a complex sentence, if a dependent (or subordinate) clause comes before an independent (or main) clause, use a comma after the dependent clause. A dependent clause is one that starts 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.

solution

This is a compound sentence, so use a comma before the coordinating conjunction but, which joins the two independent clauses.

The center of the earthquake was located about twenty miles beneath the ocean floor, but tremors were felt more than two hundred miles away.

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Not feeling ready yet? These can help:

FF.9Is the sentence simple, compound, or complex?

TT.5Commas with compound and complex sentences

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