Commas in Complex Sentences

Complex sentences are sentences that have two clauses. There can be two independent clauses (each having a subject and predicate), or an independent clause and dependent clause (missing a subject or predicate). Whether a comma is used between them depends on the types and positions of the clauses.

An independent clause is a clause that can stand on its own as a sentence.

I have a cat.

It has a nasty temper.

Often, two independent clauses can be joined with a conjunction, such as and, but, or, so, yet, or any other conjunction. A comma is placed right before the conjunction in this type of complex sentence.

I have a cat, but it has a nasty temper.

Although you may have learned in school that you should never, on pain of death, place commas before words like and, this is a myth.

It is important to include a conjunction in the complex sentence above because without it, you will have committed a punctuation error often referred to as a comma splice.

I have a cat, it has a nasty temper.

A dependent clause is a clause that cannot stand as a sentence in its own right, such as before I left the parking lot. When a complex sentence contains a dependent clause like this one, a comma is not used unless the dependent clause comes before the independent clause.

Before I left the parking lot, I checked to make sure my groceries were in the trunk.

If the positions of the clauses were reversed, with the independent clause first, there would be no comma in the sentence.

I checked to see if my groceries were in the trunk before I left the parking lot.

Unnecessary Commas in Complex Sentences

Generally, if the dependent clause comes second in a complex sentence, a comma is not used.

I need to do the shopping, because there is nothing to eat in the house.

I need to do the shopping because there is nothing to eat in the house.

The second clause, because there is nothing to eat in the house, is dependent; there is no need to use a comma between the two clauses.

It makes no sense to study Advanced Pure Math, if the student will not use the math at a later date.

It makes no sense to study Advanced Pure Math if the student will not use the math at a later date.

If the student will not use the math at a later date, it makes no sense to study Advanced Pure Math.

In the last example, the dependent clause was used before the independent clause, so a comma was placed in this complex sentence.

I’ll put the book down and sleep, when I can no longer keep my eyes open.

This sentence contains an unnecessary comma.

I’ll put the book down and sleep when I can no longer keep my eyes open.

Exception: If the sentence is confusing or ambiguous without a comma, one may be used for purposes of clarity.

Louise didn’t call Jeff because she was angry.

There are two ways to interpret this sentence. One possibility is that Louise did call Jeff, and her reason for calling was not that she was angry. The other possibility is that Louise did not call Jeff, and the reason she didn’t call is that she was angry. A comma removes the ambiguity.

Louise didn’t call Jeff, because she was angry.

Empower Your Writing: Transform the Passive Voice

Tell a writer that he should avoid the passive voice in writing, and he’ll usually agree – although the passive voice is perfectly acceptable grammatically.

Most writers know that the sentence, “The cow jumped over the moon” is better than “The moon was jumped over by the cow.” However, if you check a few documents with Grammarly’s Add-in for Microsoft Office Suite, you’ll see that this ghost continues to haunt. Even veteran writers have a problem with the passive voice on occasion.

But, why?

Active voice involves writing that jumps off a page and immediately grabs a reader’s interest. Let’s look at a breakdown of passive vs. active voice (and how to switch between the two) for a better understanding:

What is an Active Sentence? Active sentences have a subject that directly performs the action of the sentence. For example: “He washed the dishes.” The subject of the sentence, the pronoun “he,” directly performs the action, “washed.”

What is a Passive Sentence? Passive sentences switch the direct object and the subject, allowing the subject to receive an action passively. For example: “The dishes were washed by him.” Here, the pronoun, “him,” takes a back seat to the target of the sentence. It is also important to notice that the verb, “washed,” got a bit longer. It turned into “were washed.” File this away in your mind for a moment. Sentence length and complexity are lures that often hook us into the regular use of passive voice.

What are “To Be” Verbs? Many times, it is the “to be” verb that alerts us to a passive voice sentence. Watch out for phrases like “have been,” “will have,” and “are being.” Although not universally the case, they often point to the use of passive voice in a sentence.

Why Use Active Voice? Active voice makes our writing more exciting and energetic. It snags a reader quickly and encourages him to continue reading. Active voice sentences are also easier to read, so using active voice broadens your audience. Finally, passive sentences are usually wordy. Active voice provides us with succinct and precise writing.

How Do You Change a Sentence from Passive to Active? Once you’ve spotted a passive sentence, changing it to active is fairly easy. Turn the direct object of the sentence into the subject. Change the form of the verb used in the sentence, and then remove any unneeded prepositional phrases, simply by removing the preposition.

Passive sentence: Yesterday, the job was completed by her.

Make “her/she” the subject, and move the object, “job.” Then, discard the preposition “by,” and move “yesterday.”

Active sentence: She completed the job yesterday.

Passive sentences can be far more complex, but the basic solution to transforming them into active voice is the same.

The Trap: Sentence complexity is the basic trap that usually locks our writing into passive voice. Often our sentences need to be complex, due to a complicated thought or a stylistic choice. However, the passives can slip in whenever complexity becomes a necessity.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that active sentences have to be simple. They do not. This insidious illusion often summons the passive voice. Let’s look at a complex sentence expressed in passive voice that can be changed to active.

Complex passive sentence: Before they left for the theatre, a pearl necklace with silver beads was given to Sally by her husband Joe.

Using the simple solution of switching the direct object and the subject works here too. Remember to remove the unnecessary preposition, “by.” The only extra step involves moving around the clauses, and this sentence becomes active.

Complex active sentence: Joe gave his wife, Sally, a pearl necklace with silver beads before they left for the theatre.

If you want much more immediate and dynamic writing, it is best to use active voice. Aside from academic use, passive voice rarely makes for sparkling prose.

How do you insure that your writing falls into the active category? The solution is simple: active voice has to become a habit. Write with it every day, and do so consciously. Whenever you see a passive sentence slip into your writing, change it to active. Soon you’ll find that your passive sentences begin to fade as your active voice naturally emerges.

Ax vs. Axe–What’s the Difference?

Ax and axe are different spellings of the same word. There is no difference in meaning or pronunciation. However, you might be surprised by all the possible meanings these two spellings share. The Merriam-Webster lists three primary definitions besides the cutting tool. Axe also refers to a hammer with a sharp edge for dressing or spalling stone. Musical instruments, such as guitars and saxophones, are also axes. As a verb, axe means the abrupt removal of something. You’ll recognize that meaning in the phrase, “get the axe” which sometimes refers to a dismissal, such as someone being fired from their job.

Here’s a tip: Outside of the United States, you are most likely to encounter the longer spelling—axe. But you will see axe in American English fairly frequently.

Many dictionaries say that “ax” is the most common spelling in the U.S. You will find the shortened form in compound names such as pickax and poleax. However, according to Garner’s Modern English Usage, axe is actually about twice as common as ax.

Expressions with Axe or Ax

Do you know any other phrases that contain axe? How about “an axe to grind?” People often use the expression when they have a complaint: I have an axe to grind with you! In his autobiography, Benjamin Franklin relates a story about a man who asked a smith to sharpen his axe. He eventually ends up turning the grindstone himself, thus sharpening his own tool. Whether the story connects directly to the idiom is uncertain, but later, another author published a similar story with the expression “an axe to grind.” In this story, axe refers to a selfish ulterior motive.

When I see a merchant, overpolite to his customers–begging them to taste a little brandy, and throwing half his goods on the counter–thinks I–That man has an axe to grind.

Who’ll Turn Grindstones? published anonymously

Another common expression is “to get the axe.” Though axes are useful tools, getting the axe means to be fired or expelled! If a project or service gets the axe, that means that it’s discontinued. The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms relates the origins this term to the axe of an executioner.

I could see my mother going in Spaulding’s and asking the salesman a million dopey questions—and here I was getting the ax again. It made me feel pretty sad.

J.D. Salinger, Catcher in the Rye

Here’s a tip:

• “To have an axe to grind” is often used when someone has a complaint.
• “To get the axe” means to be fired or expelled.
• Battle axe is often used metaphorically, but it can be offensive—so, take care!

Historically, battle axes were weapons for hand-to-hand combat. Warriors also launched them at their enemies from a distance. However, the term is also used figuratively. Do you remember the cruel character Miss Agatha Trunchbull from the book (or film) Matilda? This ferocious school administrator punished one girl by swinging her around in a circle by her pigtails. Was she a battle-axe? This term is sometimes applied to women who are seen as angry or controlling, but many consider it to be offensive.

He emerges as a genuinely likeable guy—the opposite of his battle-ax of a mother—who always cast a wry eye on the world’s follies.

David Anfam, Concrete Expressionism; David Anfam on De Kooning: An American Master

Do you write ax or axe? Cast your vote for the correct spelling in our poll.

Can You Pass This Difficult Spelling Quiz?

Quiz written by FutureTVWriter (link: https://www.playbuzz.com/futuretvwriter10)

9 Adorable Animal Collective Nouns

Five hundred years ago, gentlemen used specialized vocabulary when referring to groups of animals. Most of the group names came from The Book of St. Albans, published in 1486. Their etymologies have been lost over the years, but why not have a guess?

A coterie of groundhogs

Around the eighteenth century, some French farmers called côtiers banded together to work feudal lands. A coterie is an exclusive group who spends time together pursuing common interests. What’s the common interest of groundhogs? They dig burrows and guard them with sentinels who whistle when danger threatens.

A crash of rhinos

The smallest rhinos weigh nearly 2,000 pounds. Rhinos running through the bush are sure to make a lot of noise! And given that rhinos don’t have the greatest eyesight, they might smash into things with more gusto than other animals.

A cry of hounds

You need only live next door to a beagle to understand this origin. A large dog barks at one hundred decibels. To put that in perspective, a jackhammer pounds at ninety decibels.

A skulk of foxes

Yes, foxes creep quietly and stealthily to sneak up on prey. But they also love to frolic, especially when they can trick silly golfers into chasing them.

A kindle of kittens

When Amazon invented the Kindle, were they thinking of cats? “To kindle” means to ignite emotions or feelings. Both good books and good kitties can do that, so it’s a good name for the electronic reading device and the fuzzy felines to share.

A parade of elephants

Parade comes from the French “display or show.” Elephants only have to spread their ears and sound a warning trumpet to let humans know who’s boss.

A prickle of hedgehogs (and porcupines)

A prickle is a pointed tip. Prickly can also mean irritable, but wouldn’t you be a tad miffed if you were known for only one characteristic? Hedgehogs are immune to snake venom. Did you know that? And porcupines are great climbers. They use their sharp, curved claws to get a good grip on trees!

A business of ferrets

Years ago, hunters used ferrets to hunt rabbits. That’s a legitimate “business,” but the word ferret is actually derived from the Latin word for “thief.” Pet owners often catch them secreting away shiny doodads, but how can you blame them? They have to keep busy somehow.

A team of pigs

You might be more familiar with a team of horses than a team of pigs. A team is two or more draft animals harnessed together to pull. However, it also refers to groups of young animals. Sows can have up to six piglets per litter, so they too qualify for the label.

What do you see as you peer into cages at the zoo? Now you know exactly what to say! It’s reason enough to start planning your next trip to a wildlife preserve!