Commas with Subordinate ClausesA Readers Question

A reader asked about commas with subordinatealso known as dependentclauses. Because the topic covers
several issues and because I was already working on one of the sub-topics for another article, I thought Id answer the
question in an article rather than in the comment section.
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The Question
Im having trouble knowing when to put a comma before a subordinate clause. For instance, why would there not be a
comma before after in The police officer pleaded guilty to careless driving after crashing his car into a fence, yet there
would be a comma before after in the sentence The police officer, after cashing his car into a fence, pleaded guilty to
careless driving. Since you can move the after . . . part of the sentence around, why is it considered essential?
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The Answer
This is a great question because it delves into specifics of comma use with dependent clauses.
Because there are several types of dependent clausesadjective, adverbial, and nounthis topic could get
wordy if I tried to cover all of them. Im going to focus on adverbial clauses since theyre usually the ones that cause
the most problems and because the example in the readers question uses an adverbial clause.
A few details first
An independent or main clause can stand alone as a sentence. It has a subject and a verb and conveys a complete
thought.
The ball belongs to Alice.
The ball rolled down the hill.
The ball was red.
A dependent or subordinate clause cant stand alone as a sentence. It does have a subject and a verb, but it doesnt
convey a complete thought. It depends on other sentence elements (typically an independent clause) to give it
meaning.
Because the ball belonged to Alice
After the ball rolled down the hill
Since the ball was red
These are incomplete sentences because they dont convey a complete thought.
Because the ball belonged to Alice, what?
After the ball rolled down the hill, what happened?
Since the ball was red, what?
An adverbial clause often starts with a subordinating conjunction. A short list of subordinating conjunctions:
although

after
as
because
before
once
since
though
until
when
while
A subordinate clause that stands alone is a sentence fragment. Students are taught to not use sentence
fragments, but fiction writers use them all the time for effect and rhythm.
Whyd you steal the code?
Because I can.
Yeah, I planned on heading home. After I finished what I came to do.
While we can use dependent clauses as sentence fragments, most of the time we dont. We usually pair them with at
least one independent clause and create sentences.
The dependent clause can come before the independent one, after it, or it can come in the middle of it, interrupting the
independent clause. Comma use is partly dependent upon where the dependent clause falls in relation to the
independent clause.
Independent clauses often come first in our text, but putting dependent clauses first gives us variety in sentence
construction.

Dependent Clause Before Independent Clause

When an adverbial dependent clause comes before the independent clause, we put a comma after the dependent
clause (between the clauses). We dont have to give any consideration to the topic of essential or nonessentialwhen
the dependent clause comes before the independent, use a comma to separate them.
When I saw the destruction, I cried.
After the ball, Cinderella had to run home.
Although he turned down the job, the company did pay his travel expenses.
After crashing his car into a fence, the police officer pleaded guilty to careless driving.
Okay, that was the easy one. Lets look at the next construction.

Dependent Clause After Independent Clause

When a dependent clause (were still talking adverbial clauses beginning with a subordinating conjunction) comes
after the independent clause, most of the time there is no comma.
I cried when I saw the destruction.
Cinderella had to run home after the ball.
The police officer pleaded guilty to careless driving after crashing his car into a fence.
The company did pay Marks travel expenses, although he turned down the job.*
The exceptions
~ * There is a comma in the fourth example because the dependent clause begins with although, an adverb of
concession. The adverbs of concession set up contrast clauses. Adverbs of concession includethough, although,
even though, and whereas. Use commas to introduce dependent clauses beginning with these words, even when the
independent clause comes first.
She said it boldly, although I didnt believe her.
My mother put on her dress, though it was still covered in mud.
John got out after six months, whereas Martin had to serve his full two-year sentence.
~ While, when it means as, is simply a subordinating conjunction. However, when while means whereas, it is being
used as an adverb of concession and would be preceded by a comma after an independent clause. Think contrast.
The delivery guy waited in the pouring rain while [as] the little boy counted out his pennies.
The delivery guy waited at the door, while [whereas] his supervisor waited in the dry car.
~ The subordinating conjunction because, when it begins a dependent clause after an independent clause, usually
gets no comma.Yet there are two instances when because is preceded by a comma in this sentence position.
First, when the independent clause contains a negative verb. We use commas in such sentences to eliminate possible
confusion.
She didnt run toward the house because she was afraid.
Without a comma, this sentence could be read two ways. But the reader has no way of knowing which reading is
correct.
Either she didnt run toward the house due to her fear (because she was afraid, which is likely what we want to say) or
she didnt run toward the house not because she was afraid, but for some other reason, a reason not mentioned in
this sentence. If a reason other than fear was involved, go ahead and spell that out.
She didnt run toward the house because she was afraid, but because she was eager to meet the ghost.
But if you want the first meaning, using because to mean due to her fear, adding a comma lets the reader know the
reason for not running was because of her fear.
She didnt run toward the house, because she was afraid.
The same reasoning is true for the next example.
Larry couldnt grab all the marbles because theyd rolled down the hill.

Without a comma, this could mean Larry couldnt grab all the marbles not because theyd rolled down the hill, but
because of another reason altogether.
Larry couldnt grab all the marbles because theyd rolled down the hill, but because the two little boys snatched them
up.
But if you want the other meaning, Larry not being able to grab them because they rolled down the hill, use a comma
before because to show this.
Larry couldnt grab all the marbles, because theyd rolled down the hill.
The second exception for using a comma before because is when thecause in because could be paired with the
wrong element, creating confusion for the reader.
Lauren suspected her brother-in-law robbed the bank because she had seen his mask in his car. X
Lauren suspected her brother-in-law robbed the bank, because she had seen his mask in his car.
Without a comma, this says that Lauren suspected that her brother-in-law robbed the bank on account of her seeing
his mask, as if her seeing it led to his actions.
With the comma, the sentence says that she suspected him because shed seen the mask.
Although Ive marked the first sentence with an X, you could actually intend to say it with that meaning.

~ Use a comma to separate the dependent clause from the independent when it follows the independent
one if the dependent clause is nonessential. Keep in mind, however, that many dependent clauses will be essential
and will not require a comma.
Determining if the dependent clause is essential or nonessential can be tricky, but for nonessential in this
construction, think parenthetical. If you could set the dependent clause apart from the independent clause by using a
dash or parenthesesif it makes sense to do so andit is your intention to do soyou can also use a comma. When
you use the comma (or dash or parentheses), you are declaring the dependent clause nonessential.
Showing that a clause is nonessential may be easier to do if you adjust the word choices.
Dexter went to jail after ten years on the run. (essential)
Compare to
Dexter finally went to jail, after ten years on the run. (nonessential)
Dexter finally went to jailafter ten years on the run.
The original sentence says that Dexter went to jail after being on the run for ten years. The next two say that Dexter
finally went to jailit happened to be after ten years on the run, but the thrust is that he finally went. The word choices
and use or non-use of the comma give meaning to the sentences.
Whats important here is that the writer has a choice and the choice will direct the meaning of the sentence. This is not
an instance when you must use a comma, as you do when naming a spouseMy husband, Zane, is not a
cowboy. You choose comma or no comma, nonessential or essential, depending on what you want the
sentence to say. (Keep in mind that were still looking at dependent clauses after independent ones.)
A couple more examples
Lana gave up looking before she found her sister. (essential)

Lana gave up looking ten years ago, before she discovered her sister was actually her mother. (nonessential)
Lana gave up looking ten years ago (before she discovered her sister was actually her mother).

Frances gave me her fork after the dog licked it. (essential)
Frances gave me her fork, after she let the dog lick it. (nonessential)
Frances gave me her forkafter she let the dog lick it.
Dependent Clause Within Independent Clause
A dependent clause can be nestled inside an independent clause. When a dependent clause is within the independent
one, its an interrupter. An interrupter simply breaks the flow of a sentence, and there are many different kinds, not just
dependent clauses. A single word, a phrase, or a clause can interrupt an independent clause, and interrupters include
adverbs, participial phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential clauses, appositives, digressions, parentheticals,
commentary, and asides. Any time these items interrupt a sentenceinterrupt an independent clausethey are
nonessential elements and need to be separated from the independent clause with punctuation.
We typically use commas both before and after most interrupters, yet you could use dashes or parentheses.
The man, breathing heavily, couldnt call out for help.
Elton and Carl, recklessly and without warning, jumped off the roof.
Tina, surprisingly, didnt faint.
Bettina, the strong one, did faint.
My best friend, Jilly, is coming for the weekend.
Tennessee and Georgia, because they couldnt agree on water rights, went to war.
The police officer, after crashing his car into a fence, pleaded guilty to careless driving.
The information between the commas could be lifted out of the sentences and these sentences would still make sense
in terms of both grammar and meaning. Would still be true. That is, taking out the dependent clauses would not
negate the other parts of the sentence. The information between the commas is nonessential. The information may
add details, but taking it out wouldnt change the major thrust of the sentence or have readers trying to figure out what
was going on. The sentences without the nonessential words, phrases, and clauses can stand on their own.
Note: Some sentences can be tricky. While it may seem obvious that the examples listed above require commas, do
note that some sentences work both with commas and without; the difference is in their meanings. (This note has
more to do with the differences between nonessential and essential than with dependent clauses and commas, yet
since this topic is related, Im including some details here.)
An example
The pitcher, who had played ball as a boy, joined the senior circuit.
The pitcher who had played ball as a boy joined the senior circuit.
Both of these sentences are correct, but they have different meanings.

The first is talking about the pitcher, one who had been mentioned before or the only one aroundmaybe the one
standing on the pitchers mound. The information about him playing ball as a boy does not identify the pitcherit
simply gives us more information about the man we have already identified as the pitcher.
In the second sentence, the information about one of the pitchers playing ball as a boy identifies which pitcher were
talking about. Its info essential to identify the pitcher.
For more details about nonessential and essential phrases and commas, see Restrictive or NotWhen Do Clauses
Need Commas andTreating Dependents and Subordinates Properly.

Extended Rules for Using Commas

Summary:
This resource offers a number of pages about comma use.
Contributors:Dana Driscoll, Allen Brizee
Last Edited: 2013-04-03 10:39:33
Comma Use
1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating
conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet.
The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave.

The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.

Yesterday was her brother's birthday, so she took him out to dinner.

2. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
a. Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma includeafter, although, as,
because, if, since, when, while.
While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door.

Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class.

If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.

When the snow stops falling, we'll shovel the driveway.

However, don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for cases
of extreme contrast).
INCORRECT: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.

CORRECT: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (This comma use is correct because it is an
example of extreme contrast.)

b. Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases,
absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words).
Having finished the test, he left the room.

To get a seat, you'd better come early.

After the test but before lunch, I went jogging.

The sun radiating intense heat, we sought shelter in the cafe.

c. Common introductory words that should be followed by a comma include yes, however, well.
Well, perhaps he meant no harm.

Yes, the package should arrive tomorrow morning.

However, you may not be satisfied with the results.

3. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not
essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and
one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
Here are some clues to help you decide whether the sentence element is essential:

If you leave out the clause, phrase, or word, does the sentence still make sense?

Does the clause, phrase, or word interrupt the flow of words in the original sentence?

If you move the element to a different position in the sentence, does the sentence still make sense?

If you answer "yes" to one or more of these questions, then the element in question is nonessential and should be set
off with commas. Here are some example sentences with nonessential elements:
Clause: That Tuesday, which happens to be my birthday, is the only day when I am available to meet.

Phrase: This restaurant has an exciting atmosphere. The food, on the other hand, is rather bland.

Word: I appreciate your hard work. In this case, however, you seem to have over-exerted yourself.

4. Do not use commas to set off essential elements of the sentence, such as clauses beginning
with that (relative clauses). That clauses after nouns are always essential.That clauses following a verb
expressing mental action are always essential.
That clauses after nouns:
The book that I borrowed from you is excellent.

The apples that fell out of the basket are bruised.

That clauses following a verb expressing mental action:

She believes that she will be able to earn an A.

He is dreaming that he can fly.

I contend that it was wrong to mislead her.

They wished that warm weather would finally arrive.

Examples of other essential elements (no commas):

Students who cheat only harm themselves.

The baby wearing a yellow jumpsuit is my niece.

The candidate who had the least money lost the election.

Examples of nonessential elements (set off by commas):

Fred, who often cheats, is just harming himself.

My niece, wearing a yellow jumpsuit, is playing in the living room.

The Green party candidate, who had the least money, lost the election.

Apples, which are my favorite fruit, are the main ingredient in this recipe.

Professor Benson, grinning from ear to ear, announced that the exam would be tomorrow.

Tom, the captain of the team, was injured in the game.

It is up to you, Jane, to finish.

She was, however, too tired to make the trip.

Two hundred dollars, I think, is sufficient.

5. Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series.
The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.

The prosecutor argued that the defendant, who was at the scene of the crime, who had a strong revenge motive, and
who had access to the murder weapon, was guilty of homicide.

6. Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Be sure never to
add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate
adjectives.
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is
subordinate to the other. You can decide if two adjectives in a row are coordinate by asking the following questions:

Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order?

Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and between them?

If you answer yes to these questions, then the adjectives are coordinate and should be separated by a comma. Here
are some examples of coordinate and non-coordinate adjectives:
He was a difficult, stubborn child. (coordinate)

They lived in a white frame house. (non-coordinate)

She often wore a gray wool shawl. (non-coordinate)
Your cousin has an easy, happy smile. (coordinate)
The 1) relentless, 2) powerful 3) summer sun beat down on them. (1-2 are coordinate; 2-3 are non-coordinate.)
The 1) relentless, 2) powerful, 3) oppressive sun beat down on them. (Both 1-2 and 2-3 are coordinate.)
7. Use a comma near the end of a sentence to separate contrasted coordinate elements or to indicate a
distinct pause or shift.
He was merely ignorant, not stupid.

The chimpanzee seemed reflective, almost human.

You're one of the senator's close friends, aren't you?

The speaker seemed innocent, even gullible.

8. Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the
sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing
confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound"
to the word it modifies.)

Nancy waved enthusiastically at the docking ship, laughing joyously. (correct)

INCORRECT:Lisa waved at Nancy, laughing joyously. (Who is laughing, Lisa or Nancy?)

Laughing joyously, Lisa waved at Nancy. (correct)

Lisa waved at Nancy, who was laughing joyously. (correct)

9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses
(except the street number and name), and titles in names.

Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England.

July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life. Who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, DC?
Rachel B. Lake, MD, will be the principal speaker.
(When you use just the month and the year, no comma is necessary after the month or year: "The average
temperatures for July 1998 are the highest on record for that month.")

10. Use a comma to shift between the main discourse and a quotation.
John said without emotion, "I'll see you tomorrow."

"I was able," she answered, "to complete the assignment."

In 1848, Marx wrote, "Workers of the world, unite!"

11. Use commas wherever necessary to prevent possible confusion or misreading.

To George, Harrison had been a sort of idol.

Comma abuse
Commas in the wrong places can break a sentence into illogical segments or confuse readers with unnecessary and
unexpected pauses.
12. Don't use a comma to separate the subject from the verb.
INCORRECT: An eighteen-year old in California, is now considered an adult.

INCORRECT: The most important attribute of a ball player, is quick reflex actions.

13. Don't put a comma between the two verbs or verb phrases in a compound predicate.
INCORRECT: We laid out our music and snacks, and began to study.

INCORRECT: I turned the corner, and ran smack into a patrol car.

14. Don't put a comma between the two nouns, noun phrases, or noun clauses in a compound subject or
compound object.
INCORRECT (compound subject): The music teacher from your high school, and the football coach from mine are
married.

INCORRECT (compound object): Jeff told me that the job was still available, and that the manager wanted to
interview me.

15. Don't put a comma after the main clause when a dependent (subordinate) clause follows it (except for
cases of extreme contrast).
INCORRECT: The cat scratched at the door, while I was eating.
CORRECT: She was still quite upset, although she had won the Oscar. (This comma use is correct because it is an
example of extreme contra