English // Grammar & Punctuation

Commas Before Joining Words

Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, so, yet) when joining two independent clauses in a compound sentence

Ages
9 to 11
Type
Method
Builds on
2 topics
Leads to
1 topic
Standards
2 codes

Quick check

When the learner joins two complete thoughts with a word like "but" or "so" — like "I wanted to go, but it was raining" — do they put a comma before that joining word?

Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.

Topic // Mastery

What mastery looks like

What a learner can do once this topic is secure.
  • Place a comma before the coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence, e.g. 'I wanted to go outside, but it was raining'
  • Distinguish compound sentences (two independent clauses) from simple sentences with compound predicates, e.g. 'She sang and danced' needs no comma but 'She sang a song, and he played the piano' does
  • Edit writing to insert missing commas before coordinating conjunctions in compound sentences

Topic // Map

Where this fits

What to learn first and what this topic opens up, with the reason for each link. Required links come first.
  • RequiredMust come first
  • HelpfulHelps, but not essential

Before this

2 topics
  • Subordinate clausesRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 6 to 9

    Learners must understand coordinating conjunctions joining clauses before learning the punctuation rule for compound sentences

  • Commas in listsRequired

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 6 to 11

    Comma before coordinating conjunction builds on existing comma knowledge from list commas

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Commas Before Joining Words

Ages 9 to 11 // Method

Leads to

1 topic
  • Punctuating ClausesHelpful

    Grammar & Punctuation // Ages 10 to 11

    Clause boundary punctuation builds on comma use with conjunctions

Topic // Standards

Curriculum standards

Codes for the curriculum statements this topic maps to. Each publisher owns its standard text.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
L.4.2cL.5.2b

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