Comma usage help, please!

[Mvictoria]

Hello! I have a question about comma usage. I was given the following correction for my review and I’m having a hard time understanding my mistake! I want to avoid the mistake in the future! Please help! “Noah suspected as much, but lost both women when he expressed his suspicions." delete the comma I felt like my usage of the comma here was correct and would love some clarification as to why it was not. Thank you!

[Juliet+1]

The part that begins with "but lost both women" is a dependent clause (notice how it doesn't have it's own subject?). The rule is no comma before a dependent clause, only before an independent clause. Had you written "but he lost...." you might have been able to defend your comma. Commas are tricky, and there are some gray areas.

[Mvictoria]

Thank you so much! I needed a little more help understanding but you made it very clear!

[MrsCatInTheHat]

You don't use a comma when connecting a dependent clause with an independent clause.