Welcome to Savvy Strategy’s third post in the Grammar Series! We are taking a thorough look at the skills required to excel in the ACT’s English section. If you missed last week’s post on Sentence Structure, stop reading this right now, and go take a look. CLICK HERE!!

A Brief Note Before We Begin

This post is about combining sentences, not about combining ELEMENTS of sentences (e.g. subjects, verbs, modifiers, objects). We’ve seen a lot of confusion between these topics, so we’re taking a few seconds to touch on this before we get going.

Any element of a sentence can be compounded; however, this does not mean that the entire sentence is compounded and requires a comma or semicolon. This in particular is one of the English ACT’s tricks.

Compound Subjects

• While walking home, Sarah and Jasmine talked about the test.

• Sarah, who you met earlier, and Jasmine are going to stay with us.

Compound Verbs

When one person is doing two things, there is no need to use a comma and conjunction

• She drew realistic people and animals.

• She sold her drawings to an art collector.

• She drew realistic people and animals and sold her drawings to an art collector.

  • Here, the compound verb is “drew and sold”

All right. Let’s get this party started!!

Sentence: An Updated Definition

A sentence is more than just a string of words with a subject and a verb. It can also be defined as either an independent clause or a combination of independent and dependent clauses. 

This definition of a sentence is helpful in learning how and when to use commas, semicolons, and conjunctions in order to combine sentences.

Independent clause

Think of this as a thought or idea that can stand on its own. It doesn’t need anything else to make sense. If your friend said, “I need to plug my phone in,” you would understand exactly what they meant. 

Essentially, this is just a sentence. Don’t feel overcomplicate it!

Dependent clause

On the other hand, a dependent clause can’t stand on its own. It has a subject and verb, but it doesn’t form a main idea. Dependent clauses begin with subordinating conjunctions: after, although, as, because, before, if, once, since, that, unless, until, when, why, etc. OR they begin with relative pronouns: that, which, whoever, whom, who, whose.

Here are some examples of dependent clauses:

• Although he did like my idea

• Who was always so quiet

• While Sarah and Jasmine were cooking

All of these examples leave you hanging! He liked my idea… but what? Who was always so quiet… who? While Sarah and Jasmine were cooking… what?

This is the reason that dependent clauses are attached to independent clauses, giving us a complete understanding of what’s happening.

How (and when) to Combine Clauses

Now that you know the two basic types of clauses, you’re ready to learn how put this knowledge into practice! We will go over three independent and/or dependent clause scenarios to show you what to do.

Independent Clause + Independent Clause

To combine two complete sentences/ independent clauses, you have two options. You can use a comma with a conjunction, or you can use a semicolon. If you use a comma and conjunction, the acronym FANBOYS will help you remember the conjunctions (For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So). If you use a semicolon, you do not have to capitalize the first letter of the next sentence.

• Comma and Conjunction — I got coffee, and she got tea.

• Semicolon — I got coffee; she got tea.

Independent Clause + Dependent Clause

In this scenario, which is GUARANTEED to show up on your ACT test, you will either attach the dependent clause to the independent clause with a comma or without a comma.

It depends where the dependent clause occurs in the sentence. When it comes before the independent clause, always use a comma. When it comes after the independent clause, you will not need a comma (*most of the time).

• Comma — Because he did his homework, he got to go to the game.

• No comma — He got to go to the game because he did his homework.

*However, when a dependent clause begins with any of the words listed below and follows an independent clause, it will need a comma. These words create contrast in the sentence, so a comma is needed for more clarity.

• although

• though / even though

• whereas

Let’s take a look at this exception in a sentence — Mr. Williams said my essay needed more work, although he did like my idea.

Independent Clause + Independent Clause + Dependent Clause

Yep! You read that right. You can combine all three of these clauses. English is a complex language, and there are so many combinations you can create.

When you see a long sentence on your ACT English test, it’s quite possible that it’s written in a similar pattern as this and is not a run-on! Always pay special attention to the commas and conjunctions that are used. This will help you determine if it is a complete sentence or a run-on.

Here are two examples with each of the clauses explained. 

1. All of my friends are planning for prom before school even starts, but I just want to plan for some pool days. 

• “All of my friends are planning for prom” — Independent Clause

• “before school even starts” — Dependent Clause

  • No comma is needed to attach this.

• “I just want to plan for some pool days.” — Independent Clause

  • Because this clause is a complete sentence, it needs “,but” to attach to the first half.

2. Since this is my last year of high school, I want to spend more time with my friends; we’re all going to different colleges next year.

• “Since this is my last year of high school” — Dependent Clause

  • This needs a comma because it occurs before the independent clause.

• “I want to spend more time with my friends” — Independent Clause

• “we’re all going to different colleges next year.” — Independent Clause

  • Since this is an independent clause, it is linked with a semicolon.

In Summary. . .

To combine two independent clauses (complete sentences), use a semicolon or a comma and conjunction. 

To attach a dependent clause, use a comma if it comes before the independent clause; use no comma if it comes after the independent clause, unless it is a “contrast word” (although, though, even though, whereas).  

Was this helpful?

We are here for YOU, and we want to see you succeed! We offer personalized tutoring sessions for students just like you.