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I cannot figure out whether or not I need a comma between the word "cigarettes" and "according" in the following sentence:
More college students are using marijuana daily than smoking cigarettes according to a national survey released Tuesday.
My gut tells me the first clause is independent and the second dependent, which would mean I do not need a comma. Is this correct? Am I correct in thinking independent clause + dependent clause does not need a comma?
You are certainly allowed a comma between an independent and dependent clause where there is large contrast. In this case, a comma appears appropriate.
You could also reword the sentence: According to a national survey added Tuesday, ...
Generally (according to the Oxford Dictionaries online):
A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Used properly, commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses.
From the Wikipedia page:
In English, a comma is used to separate a dependent clause from the independent clause if the dependent clause comes first: After I fed the cat, I brushed my clothes. (Compare this with I brushed my clothes after I fed the cat.)
In your sentence:
So, you can use a comma like this:
More college students are using marijuana daily than smoking cigarettes, according to a national survey released Tuesday.
