Page 688 - Wordsmith A Guide to College Writing
P. 688
When a dependent word begins the sentence, a comma is
used between the dependent and independent clause.
Pattern: Independent clause when dependent clause.
When the dependent clause ends the sentence, a dependent
word separates the clauses.
Dependent Words
although before that whenever
as even though though where
as if if unless wherever
as long as once until which
as soon as since whatever while
because so that when who
This sentence could be mistaken for a run-on. “The mechanic didn’t
think” has a subject, mechanic, and a verb, did think, and is not
preceded by a dependent word. It could stand alone as a sentence.
“He could fix the car” also has a subject, he, and a verb, could fix. It,
too, could stand alone as a sentence. But is the sentence a run-on?
No. The two thoughts are connected by the implied dependent word
that. The meaning of the sentence is “The mechanic did not think that
he could fix the car.” Sentences in which the dependent word that is
implied do not need correction—it is not always necessary to insert
the word that.
