Connecting independent and dependent clauses

[RevCogg]

When connecting independent clauses with dependent clauses using a conjunction do you always use a comma before the conjunction? Ex: John is running down the street, and screaming at the top of his lungs. Is this correct, or can the comma be omitted?

[Barb_D]

When connecting independent clauses with dependent clauses using a conjunction do you always use a comma before the conjunction? Ex: John is running down the street, and screaming at the top of his lungs. Is this correct, or can the comma be omitted?

Hi and welcome to Using English.

You have two ways to do this.
John is running and screaming -- a simple sentence with two verbs. You can add the other words, so that you have John is running down the street and screaming at the top of his lungs, but it's still just one independent clause with two verb.

John is running down the street, screaming at the top of his lungs. THIS is a complex sentence, and you keep the comma but drop the "and."

You can mix and match a little:
Running down the street, John is screaming at the top of his lungs.
Screaming at the top of his lungs, John is running down the street.

[RevCogg]

Thanks for the reply!