CLASS 9 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE
Punctuation in complex sentences – basic principles
How it works
Complex sentences often contain more than one sentence structure, for example main clauses and subordinate clauses or infinitive groups. Commas are used to set off subordinate clauses introduced by words such as ‹dass› or ‹obwohl› from the main clause or from other parts of the sentence. Parenthetical insertions and some infinitive groups also affect punctuation. Correct punctuation is important in order to make the meaning of a sentence clear and avoid misunderstandings.
Note
Commas separate subordinate clauses from the main clause and from one another. A comma is also used with many infinitive groups, especially with constructions with ‹ohne … zu›, ‹um … zu›, ‹anstatt … zu›, ‹außer … zu› and ‹als … zu› as well as when the infinitive group is introduced by a word such as ‹darauf›. Commas are also needed in lists and parenthetical insertions. There is no comma before ‹und› when only coordinate parts of a sentence are linked and no parenthetical insertion or subordinate clause needs to be set off.
Commas separate subordinate clauses from the main clause and from one another. A comma is also used with many infinitive groups, especially with constructions with ‹ohne … zu›, ‹um … zu›, ‹anstatt … zu›, ‹außer … zu› and ‹als … zu› as well as when the infinitive group is introduced by a word such as ‹darauf›. Commas are also needed in lists and parenthetical insertions. There is no comma before ‹und› when only coordinate parts of a sentence are linked and no parenthetical insertion or subordinate clause needs to be set off.
An example
Insert the missing punctuation marks: ‹Obwohl es regnete gingen wir spazieren›.
Correct: ‹Obwohl es regnete, gingen wir spazieren.› – The comma separates the subordinate clause from the main clause.
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50 Exercises
To the learning unit →Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: German. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.