10 Comma Rules
- A comma comes before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when both are independent clauses. CORRECT: I would love to go hiking, but I have to study organizational communication. ...
- A comma comes after an adverb clause only at the beginning of a sentence—not at the end. ...
- A comma comes after a conjunctive adverb that follows a semicolon. ...
- Rule #1: Use Commas to Separate Items in a List. ...
- Rule #2: Use a Comma After an Introductory Word or Phrase. ...
- Rule #3: Use a Comma Before a Quotation. ...
- Rule #4: Use a Comma to Separate a Dependent Clause That Comes BEFORE the Independent Clause.
What are the 10 comma rules in a sentence?
02/02/2021 · 10 Comma Rules. 1. A comma comes before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when both are independent clauses. 2. A comma comes after an adverb clause only at the beginning of a sentence—not at the end. Usually starts with after although, as, if, because, ... 3. A comma comes after a conjunctive ...
Where do you put commas in a sentence?
10 Rules for Using Commasi 1. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, nor, yet, so, for) that separates two independent clauses. There are eighty people in the room, but I do not think they are all planning on eating the buffet. 2. Use a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clauses that come before a main clause.
What are commacommas?
The Ten Comma Rules. Rule 1: Use a comma between items that are listed in a series, which contain three or more words or clauses. Example: We went to a movie, ate dinner and then went to a party. Example: I bought a chocolate cake, strawberry pie and some ice cream for the party. Rule 2: Use a comma when quoting the words of others. Example: Michele grabbed her keys …
When do you use a comma in a quote example?
Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma. Most newspapers and magazines drop the Oxford comma in a …
What is an example of a comma rule?
Rule 1. Use commas to separate words and word groups in a simple series of three or more items. Example: My estate goes to my husband, son, daughter-in-law, and nephew. Note: When the last comma in a series comes before and or or (after daughter-in-law in the above example), it is known as the Oxford comma.
What are the 8 rules for commas examples?
Commas (Eight Basic Uses)Use a comma to separate independent clauses. ... Use a comma after an introductory clause or phrase. ... Use a comma between all items in a series. ... Use commas to set off nonrestrictive clauses. ... Use a comma to set off appositives. ... Use a comma to indicate direct address. ... Use commas to set off direct quotations.More items...
What are the 12 comma rules?
ShareUse a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma). ... Use a comma to join independent clauses. ... Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause. ... Use a comma following an introductory word group. ... Use a comma to interrupt a sentence or to provide additional information.More items...
What are the 15 comma rules?
Terms in this set (15)Rule 1: 3 things in a series. ... Rule 2: introductory phrase. ... Rule 3: introdutory participles. ... Rule 4: interrupt flow. ... Rule 5: appositives. ... Rule 6: after introductory word and direct names. ... Rule 7: use conjunctions to join main clauses. ... Rule 8: after an adverb clause that introduces a sentence.More items...
What are the 13 comma rules?
13 rules for using commas without looking like an idiotUse a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. ... Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. ... Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.More items...•27-Mar-2017
How do you use commas in a list of three?
Commas should be used when three or more items in a series are listed. A comma should be placed between each of the three items (it is also acceptable to leave out the comma between the second-to-last item and the last item in the series). Items in the series may consist of a word, clause, or phrase.
How many commas do you need for 3 words?
One use of the comma is to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses in a list or series. Commas go after each item except the last. Note: In British usage, there is no comma before the conjunction (such as and or or) before the last item in the series....Score: Reset.From:To:Cingletree Learning
Can you put 2 commas in a sentence?
Last but not least, use a comma to separate three or more items. You can use two commas for three items, or if you're like me you obsess over the Oxford Comma. That's the little comma that can be arguable both necessary and unnecessary, and is after the last item listed in the series.04-Aug-2018
How many commas are too many?
When a sentence has more than three commas, there's a good chance that it's too complicated. Most long and fancy sentences are more enjoyable to read when you break them into two shorter ones. More than are necessary to make a sentence readable.
Do you put a comma after in 2020?
A year or another number might serves as subject, and no comma is needed unless required by other structures. Presuming the question is about a year used with a month and day, as in January 12, 2020, the answer is yes.
How many comma rules are there?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
Is there a comma after at the end of the day?
Use a comma after phrases of more than three words that are used to begin a sentence. If the phrase has fewer than three words, the comma is optional. At the end of the day, the decision is yours.13-Mar-2012
What are the 10 commas?
Questions On The 10 Comma Rules 1 Even though Jackson had studied Nigella Lawson’s recipes for months he underestimated how long it would take to juice 300 oranges. 2 On January 15, 2004 our office moved to 29 commonwealth Avenue, Mechanicsville VA 23111 3 “Yes dear, you can have dessert,” my mother said. 4 Cricket, which orginated in England is also popular in Australia, South Africa and India. 5 A member of an organization, that provides housing for AIDS patients, was also appointed to the commission.
How to start a sentence about Mary?
At first, starting the sentence, the reader will think that you are about to cook mary. Probably Mary is some kind of vegetables or other food materials. However, since we all know that Mary is the name of a person, a female, to be precise, then things start to get confusing. Because you will start thinking about how will they cook Mary. But what if the name is not Mary, let say it a name you have never heard before. And since you do not know the meaning and you see the word cook in the sentence, I believe you will quickly assume that we are talking about food here, but upon reading the statement further, things get even more complicated
Why is it important to use a fanboy?
It doesn’t express a full thought. USES: FANBOYS are important when you want to connect two sentences together with a comma instead of separating them with a period. It is a way to connect ideas, and common sentences together.
What is an independent clause?
An independent clause has both a noun and a verb and can stand on its own. A dependent clause cannot stand on its own, it does not express a full thought, it is also known as a fragment. The FANBOY (for, and, nor, but, or, yet) which in this case is but and separates two independent clauses.
How to fix a comma in a sentence?
There are five ways to fix this: ( One ), put a period where the comma is, ( Two ), use a semicolon instead, ( Three ), use a semicolon, coordinating conjunction, ( fourth ), semicolon, conjunctive adverb, comma, ( fifth ), change one of the independent clauses to a dependent or fragment.
When do you put a comma before a coordinating conjunction?
1. A comma comes before a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS) when both are independent clauses. CORRECT: I would love to go hiking, but I have to study organizational communication. INCORRECT: I would love to, but I have to study. EXPLANATION: In the correct sentence, both sentences in bold are independent clauses.
Is there a comma after "because"?
The first incorrect example shows a comma before because it creates extra wordiness. Everything after the “because and comma” is just extra information that is usually not needed.
What does "strange" mean in a sentence?
The phrase sounds strange, meaning the adjectives are not coordinating and don’t need a comma or dash. The phrase sounds correct with “ (I ruined the) blue wool sweater (I wore last week when I got grease on it from cooking).”. USES: Some adjectives should be separated in order to lessen the confusion for the reader.
When do you not use fanboys?
When you do not use FANBOYS are when the ideas do not connect unless you have a point you are trying to achieve within the sentence, but the diction and word choice should support this point. Think of sentences as a formula you have to put together and punctuation can help you achieve that. 2.
Why do we use commas in a sentence?
Commas are a useful punctuation device that separates the structural components of a sentence. However, so many people do not know how to use them correctly. Learn the comma rules once and for all so you can prevent comma splices in your papers. Before you can understand when to use a comma and when not to, you need to know what elements need ...
What are the 10 commas?
The Ten Comma Rules. Rule 1: Use a comma between items that are listed in a series, which contain three or more words or clauses. Example: We went to a movie, ate dinner and then went to a party. Example: I bought a chocolate cake, strawberry pie and some ice cream for the party. Rule 2:
When to use a comma before a coordinating conjunction?
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction when it joins two independent clauses. A coordinating conjunction, also known as FANBOYS, include for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so. Remember independent clauses are two complete sentences.
What is the comma rule for appositive words?
Rule 10: Use a comma to set off an appositive word or phrase that is used to describe or identify another noun. Example: That was the best day of my life, the day when my daughter was born. (“day” is repeated and is described further after the comma). Don’t let these ten comma rules make you feel overwhelmed.
When to use a comma after a subordinate clause?
Use a comma after a subordinate/dependent clause when it begins a sentence. Subordinate/dependent clauses begin with words like if, because, after, when, as, while, since, even though, although, before, and whenever.
When to use a comma in an adjective?
Use a comma to set off an adjective clause if it is not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Adjective clauses usually start with words like that, which or who. Example: My uncle, who lives in Santa Barbara, loves to surf. Example: The college, which is in El Cajon, is very nice.
What is the rule for conjunctive adverbs?
For a better explanation on adjective clauses, click here. Rule 8: Use a common when using conjunctive adverbs. Conjunctive adverbs are words like however, on the other hand, although, nevertheless, consequently, therefore, especially, moreover, and for example .
How to know if a comma is needed?
Another way to determine if a comma is needed is to mentally put and between the two adjectives. If the result still makes sense, add the comma. In the examples above, a strong and healthy man makes sense, but an expensive and summer resort does not. Rule 3a.
When to use a comma in an introduction?
If such a phrase contains more than one preposition, a comma may be used unless a verb immediately follows the phrase.
Do newspapers use the Oxford comma?
Most newspapers and magazine s drop the Oxford comma in a simple series, apparently feeling it's unnecessary. However, omission of the Oxford comma can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Example: We had coffee, cheese and crackers and grapes.
When is a comma unnecessary?
A comma is usually unnecessary when the sentence starts with an independent clause followed by a dependent clause. Example: Let me know now if you are not sure about this. Rule 5. Use commas to set off nonessential words, clauses, and phrases (see Who, That, Which, Rule 2b).
Do fiction books use commas?
Fiction and nonfiction books generally prefer the Oxford comma. Writers must decide Oxford or no Oxford and not switch back and forth, except when omitting the Oxford comma could cause confusion as in the cheese and crackers example. Rule 2. Use a comma to separate two adjectives when the order of the adjectives is interchangeable.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
Example: That is my money, not yours. Rule 16a. Use a comma before and after certain introductory words or terms , such as namely, that is, i.e., e.g., and for instance, when they are followed by a series of items.
Do you put a comma after the state?
Use a comma to separate a city from its state, and remember to put one after the state, also. Example: I'm from the Akron, Ohio, area. Rule 11. Traditionally, if a person's name is followed by Sr. or Jr., a comma follows the last name: Martin Luther King, Jr. This comma is no longer considered mandatory.
Why do we use hyphens in words?
Sometimes this occurs when two words are put together to serve as an adjective. Examples. I paid for two full-price tickets, but I still was not admitted to the arena. I want a refund.
What does parentheses mean in a sentence?
Parentheses (…) Parentheses show that the material inside the parentheses is less important than the main part of the sentence. Often you can replace them with commas, but parentheses make the material seem less important. Examples.
When to use hyphens in a sentence?
2) A hyphen is often used after the prefix of a word. If you’re not sure whether a hyphen is needed, consult a dictionary. Examples. Post-conference activities include a tour of the city. Don’t over-promise, and you won’t have a problem delivering on your promises.
What does the en dash mean?
En Dash –. Generally, the en dash indicates a range of numbers of a period of time. In this sense, it is used with numerals. Examples. During the World War II years (1939–1945), basic commodities were rationed in many countries. The school is open to children ages 6–14.