This document provides instruction on joining clauses in sentences. It discusses three methods: 1) Using coordinate connectors like FANBOYS to join two independent clauses with a comma. 2) Using subordinating conjunctions like because or when to create adverb clauses where one clause is dependent on the other. 3) Connecting clauses with conjunctive adverbs like however or therefore placed between the clauses with varying punctuation. Examples are given for each conjunction type.

1. UCI Extension
Paper-Based TOEFL Workshop
Sentences with
More Than One Clause
Structure and Written Expression Skills 6-8
Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test
Tutorial prepared by Marla Yoshida
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2. Review: What is a clause?
• A clause is a group of words that has a subject and a verb.
• Every sentence has at least one clause. Some have more.
• These sentences have one clause:
[Kittens are cute.]
[The students have been studying in the library.]
• These sentences have more than one clause:
[Kittens are cute,] [but spiders aren’t.] (2 clauses)
[The students [who have been studying] are tired]
[because studying is hard work.] (3 clauses)
• Now let’s look at several different ways to join two clauses.
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3. Coordinate connectors (conjunctions)
• One way to join two clauses is by using a coordinate
connector (also called a coordinating conjunction).
• You can remember these connectors by thinking of the word
FANBOYS. (Their first letters spell out this word.)
For*
And
Nor*
But
Or
Yet
So
We will remember you, for you have helped us greatly.
The sun is shining, and the birds are singing.
He never smiled, nor did he laugh.
I was looking for my book, but I couldn’t find it.
Did you do your homework, or did you forget?
You look familiar, yet I can’t remember your name.
I don’t have any money, so I can’t buy anything.
*For sounds rather formal or poetic. In everyday speech, we don’t use it often as a
coordinate connector. (Of course, we often us it as a preposition: This is for you.)
*Notice the inverted order of subject and verb in a clause that begins with nor.
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4. Coordinate connectors (conjunctions)
• When you join two sentences with a coordinate connector,
put a comma after the first clause, before the connector.
[It’s chilly today] , [so I’ll wear a jacket].
commas
[The boy was tired ] , [but he had fun].
• With coordinate connectors, you can’t move the second
clause to the beginning of the sentence:
[It’s chilly today ] , [so I’ll wear a jacket]. OK
[So I’ll wear a jacket] , [it’s chilly today].
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No!

5. Subordinating conjunctions
• We can also join two clauses by using a subordinating
conjunction, such as after, because, if, although, and many
others. For example:
I’ll do my homework after I watch TV.
No, you need to do your homework before you watch TV.
Whenever I do my homework, I watch TV.
If you watch TV, you won’t be able to concentrate.
I can concentrate even though I’m watching TV!
Unless you turn off the TV, you’ll get a bad grade on your test
because you won’t remember anything.
OK. I’ll turn off the TV since you think it’s important.
Good. Now that you’ve turned off the TV, you’ll be able to study.
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6. Subordinating conjunctions
• A clause that begins with a word like before, after, or because
is called an adverb clause. It often answers one of these
questions: When? Why? How? Where?
• Adverb clauses are also subordinate clauses.* An adverb clause
cannot be a sentence by itself. It needs an independent clause
to go along with it to be a complete sentence.
[I’m going to take a break] [because I’ve been studying hard.]
Independent clause
+
Dependent clause = Complete sentence
[Because I’ve been studying hard.]
Just a dependent clause
=
Not a complete sentence
*There are also other kinds of subordinate clauses: adjective clauses, noun
clauses, etc.
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7. Subordinating conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions can have several types of
meanings:
• Time
after
as
as long as
as soon as
• Cause
as
because
before
by the time
once
since
until
when
whenever
while
inasmuch as
now that
since
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8. Subordinating conjunctions
• Condition
if
in case
provided
providing
unless
whether
though
while
whereas
• Contrast
although
even though
• Manner
as
in that
• Place
where
wherever
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9. Subordinating conjunctions
• A few conjunctions can be used with more than one
meaning:
Since I’m here, I might as well help you. (Cause)
Since I was ten years old, I’ve enjoyed soccer. (Time)
As I told you before, soccer is fun. (Manner)
As I was going home, I saw my friend. (Time)
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10. Subordinating conjunctions
• With subordinating conjunctions, you can move the
subordinate clause to the beginning of the sentence:
[I’ll wear a jacket] [because it’s cold]. OK
[Because it’s cold] , [I’ll wear a jacket]. OK
[I get sleepy] [whenever I listen to music]. OK
[Whenever I listen to music] , [I get sleepy]. OK
[I’d buy a new car] [if I were rich]. OK
[If I were rich] , [I’d buy a new car]. OK
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11. Subordinating conjunctions
• Punctuation: If the independent clause comes first, don’t use
a comma between the clauses.
[I’ll wear a jacket] [because it’s cold].
[I’d buy a new car] [if I were rich].
no commas
• If the dependent clause comes first, put a comma between
the clauses:
[Because it’s cold] , [I’ll wear a jacket].
[If I were rich] , [I’d buy a new car].
commas
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12. Conjunctive adverbs
• We can also join two clauses with a conjunctive adverb. These
are words like however, therefore, or consequently. These
words are sometimes called transitions. For example:
Bob says he speaks ten languages; however, I don’t
believe him.
Bob says he speaks ten languages. However, I don’t
believe him.
Homework is important; therefore, I’ll do it carefully.
Homework is important. Therefore, I’ll do it carefully.
The bus was late; consequently, I was late for class.
The bus was late. Consequently, I was late for class.
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13. Conjunctive adverbs
• Here are some common conjunctive adverbs:
accordingly
additionally
also
anyway
besides
consequently
conversely
finally
further
furthermore
hence
however
in addition
in any case
in comparison
in contrast
indeed
instead
likewise
meanwhile
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moreover
nevertheless
nonetheless
otherwise
rather
similarly
still
then
therefore
thus

14. Conjunctive adverbs
• A conjunctive adverb goes between the two clauses it
connects.
Homework is important; therefore, I’ll do it carefully. OK
Therefore, I’ll do it carefully; homework is important. No!
• Think about the meaning of the conjunctive adverb and make
sure you attach it to the right clause. It has to make sense.
It’s raining; therefore, I’ll take an umbrella.
This makes sense, and the grammar is correct too.
I’ll take an umbrella; therefore, it’s raining.
The grammar is fine, but this doesn’t make sense. The
umbrella didn’t cause the rain.
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15. Conjunctive adverbs
• Punctuation: There are three possibilities:
1. Put a semicolon after the first clause and a comma after the
conjunctive adverb:
semicolon
comma
Bob says he’s a millionaire; however, I don’t believe him.
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16. Conjunctive adverbs
• Punctuation: There are three possibilities:
2. Or you can put a period after the first clause and a comma
after the conjuctive adverb:
period capital letter
comma
Bob says he’s a millionaire. However, I don’t believe him.
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17. Conjunctive adverbs
• Punctuation: There are three possibilities:
3. Sometimes a conjunctive adverb comes in the middle of a
clause. Then it has commas before and after it.
Bob says he’s a millionaire. I, however, don’t believe him.
The cost of gas has increased. Many drivers, therefore,
will use their cars less often.
commas
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18. Summary
•In this section, you have learned how to make these
kinds of clauses:
• Two clauses joined by a coordinate
connector
• Adverb clauses with subordinating
conjunctions
• Clauses joined by conjunctive adverbs
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