Question

which sentence is punctuated correctly?

before nate did his homework, he took the dog out for a walk.
before, nate did his homework, he took the dog, out for a walk.
nate took the dog, out for a walk, before he did his homework.
nate took the dog out for a walk, before he did his homework.

Explanation:

Analyze sentence structure

Using the Dependent Clauses knowledge point, we identify that the sentence is a complex sentence containing an independent clause ("he took the dog out for a walk") and a dependent adverbial clause ("Before Nate did his homework").

Apply comma rules

Using the Punctuation Rules knowledge point, when an adverbial dependent clause introduces a sentence, a comma must separate it from the independent clause. Conversely, when the independent clause comes first, no comma is needed before the subordinating conjunction.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "Before Nate did his homework, he took the dog out for a walk." correctly places a comma after the introductory dependent clause.
• Option 2: "Before, Nate did his homework..." incorrectly places a comma after "Before" and "dog".
• Option 3: "...dog, out for a walk, before..." contains unnecessary commas.
• Option 4: "...for a walk, before..." incorrectly places a comma before the subordinating conjunction "before" when the independent clause comes first.

Answer:

• (A) Before Nate did his homework, he took the dog out for a walk. (Correct answer)
• (B) Before, Nate did his homework, he took the dog, out for a walk.
• (C) Nate took the dog, out for a walk, before he did his homework.
• (D) Nate took the dog out for a walk, before he did his homework.