Page 4 - Lesson Note

Rules for using a coordinating conjunction

1. Put a comma before the coordinating conjunction when it is used to connect
two independent clauses.

 A clause is a group of words that contain a subject and a verb
 An independent clause (or main clause) expresses a complete thought. It can
stand alone as a sentence. For example, "I like apples."

(A dependent clause does not express a complete thought. It cannot stand
alone as a sentence. For example: "that I saw last month.")

 Examples of independent clauses:

 Tom walked the dog.

Subject = Tom
Verb = walked

"Tom walked the dog" is an independent clause.

.

 Tom grabbed the mail.

Subject = Tom
Verb = grabbed

"Tom grabbed the mail" is also an independent clause.

These two independent clauses can be combined with a coordinating conjunction.
When we combine these two sentences, the second "Tom" will be changed to "he."

Examples:

 Tom walked the dog, so he grabbed the mail.
OR
Tom walked the dog, and he grabbed the mail.

Both parts of the sentence have a subject and verb (before and after the coordinating
conjunction).