Punctuation Pattern Sheet

Independent clause

1. .

Independent clause

independent clause

2. ; .

independent clause

Independent clause

3. ; therefore, .

however,

nevertheless,

consequently,

furthermore,

moreover,

(etc.)

Independent clause

independent clause

4. , for .

and

nor

but

or

yet

so

Clause, phrase, or word

clause, phrase, or word

5. , nonessential clause, .

phrase, or word

dependent clause

independent clause

6. If , .

Because

Since

When

While

Although

After

Independent clause

dependent clause

7. if .

because

since

when

while

although

after

(etc.)

Borrowed from Muriel Harris, Teaching One-to-One

For example sentences that employ these patterns, see below. You will find an example for each of the seven sentence patterns listed above. For more help with the punctuation and sentence structure, please see a tutor in the Writing Center, Knutti 207.

1. Independent clause.

Example: Henry David Thoreau wrote Walden.

The above example is a simple sentence containing only a subject and a verb. Such a

sentence does not require a comma or semicolon.

2. Independent clause; independent clause.

Example: Henry David Thoreau spent many summers at Walden Pond; this intense

contemplation inspired him to write Walden.

In this example, two sentences which both contain a subject and a verb are joined by a

semicolon. In order to create a sentence like the example, both parts of the sentences on

either side of the semicolon must contain a subject and a verb.

3. Independent clause; therefore, independent clause.

Other words: however, nevertheless, consequently, furthermore, moreover

Example: Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Henry Wordsworth were close friends;

consequently, they wrote Lyrical Ballads together.

This example illustrates how to use a semicolon and a comma with a transitional word

when connecting two related thoughts. Again, a semicolon is used here because each

part of the sentence on either side of the semicolon is a complete thought.

4. Independent clause, and independent clause.

Remember FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Example: Fanny Mendelssohn wrote many great compositions, but her brother Felix

would not allow her to publish them.

This example examines a commonly misused comma rule. In the above example, a

comma is placed before a coordinating conjunction because the clauses on each side are

independent and complete thoughts.

5. Clause, phrase, or word, nonessential clause, phrase, or word, clause, phrase, or word.

Example: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, who wrote Frankenstein, was married to Percy

B. Shelley.

In the above example, the words “who wrote Frankenstein” can be taken out of the

sentence and it still makes sense. Phrases, clauses, and words such as these should

always be set off by commas.

6. If dependent clause, independent clause.

Other words: Because, Since, When, While, Although, After

Example: Because Edgar Allen Poe drank heavily, he died in a gutter in Baltimore.

The above example illustrates how a comma is used after an introductory clause. The

two thoughts are related, however, because the first element of the sentence cannot stand

on its own, the comma links it and makes it dependent on the second and independent

clause.

7. Independent clause if dependent clause.

Other words: because, since, when, while, although, after

Example: Milton wrote Paradise Lost although he was blind.

This example illustrates how a dependent clause at the end of a sentence does not require

a comma before it. Because the dependent clause is strongly connected to the dependent

clause, it should not be set off by commas.