What are some basic comma rules?
Ten Easy Comma Rules
- Rule 1: Use a comma between items that are listed in a series, which contain three or more words or clauses.
- Rule 2: Use a comma when quoting the words of others.
- Rule 3: Use a comma when writing dates and addresses.
- Rule 4: Use a comma after introductory phrases.
What are all the comma rules?
Use a comma between all items in a series
- We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)
- Mary promised that she would be a good girl, that she would not bite her brother, and that she would not climb onto the television. (series of clauses)
- The instructor looked through his briefcase, through his desk, and around the office for the lost grade book. (series of phrases)
What are four rules for using commas?
- "The drought had lasted now for ten million years, and the reign of the terrible lizards had long since ended," ( 2001: A Space Odyssey ).
- "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed," (Roosevelt 1899).
- "The color of the sky darkened to gray, and the plane began to rock. ...
What are the rules for using a comma?
- Commas don't just signify pauses in a sentence — precise rules govern when to use this punctuation mark.
- Commas are needed before coordinating conjunctions, after dependent clauses (when they precede independent clauses), and to set off appositives.
- The Oxford comma reduces ambiguity in lists.
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What are the 13 rules of commas?
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...•
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 12 rules for commas?
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 7 rules of commas?
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 10 rules of commas?
10 Comma Rules to Make Your Writing FlawlessRule 1: Comma Before FANBOYS.Rule 2: Comma after Dependent Clauses.Rule 3: After an Introductory Word or Phrase.Rule 4: Before Follow-up Elements.Rule 5: Between Items in a Series.Rule 6: Nonessential Interrupting Phrases and Words.Rule 7: With Dates and Places.More items...•
How many comma rules are there?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas. A listing comma can always be replaced by the word and or or: Vanessa seems to live on eggs, pasta and aubergines. Vanessa seems to live on eggs and pasta and aubergines.
How do you remember comma rules?
Remember These 12 Rules When Using Commas#1 Use a comma before any coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet) that links two independent clauses. ... #2 Use a comma after a dependent clause that starts a sentence. ... #3 Use commas to offset appositives from the rest of the sentence.More items...•
What are the 4 rules for commas?
6:117:554 Basic Comma Rules: Learn English Punctuation - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSeparate it with commas using commas these four basic rules number one separating fanboys clausesMoreSeparate it with commas using commas these four basic rules number one separating fanboys clauses number two separating listeners in a sentence rule number three separating lists in a sentence.
What are the 3 comma rules?
Since I made such a stink about it, let's start with this rule:Use a comma between items in a series or list.Use a comma between two independent clauses separated by a conjunction.Use a comma between two adjectives preceding a noun.Your Mission.
What are the 5 uses of a comma?
The five uses of the comma are:Separating the main elements of a sentence from each other.Setting off a parenthetical element from the rest of the sentence.Separating elements in a series.Setting off dialogs or quotations.Other uses of the comma.
What is the comma rule?
Quick Guide to Commas Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause.
How do you use commas in a list?
When making a list, commas are the most common way to separate one list item from the next. The final two items in the list are usually separated by "and" or "or", which should be preceeded by a comma. Amongst editors this final comma in a list is known as the "Oxford Comma".
When to put a comma before "fanboys"?
When two independent clauses that each contain a subject and a verb are connected by for, and , nor, but, or, yet, or so (a list of coordinating conjunctions also known by the acronym FANBOYS), put a comma before the FANBOYS.
Why do we put commas in sentences?
Sometimes commas are used to indicate omitted material in a sentence that can be understood from context: The little old lady’s statement took forty-five minutes; mine, four hours. However, if you don’t need these commas for clarity, don’t use them.
Do you put a comma at the beginning of a sentence?
This lets your reader know the main action of the sentence is yet to come.
Do you separate a noun with a comma?
Two adjectives that modify one noun should be separated by commas if they both have the same descriptive force: The silly, frightened purse-snatcher dropped the purse with all its contents.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
Use a comma when the sentence begins with “Yes” or “No”. Example: No, I did not apply enough sunscreen at the beach. A clue that lets you know that a comma is necessary is that the “Yes” or “No” could be a sentence of their own.
When to use a comma between two adjectives?
Example: The big, hot sun had no mercy on my pale skin. When the two adjectives are coordinate adjectives—meaning they can be reversed or the word “and” can be added between them and the sentence will still make sense— a comma must separate them.
Is the last comma before "and" unnecessary?
This is one of the comma rules that can cause some controversy. Some people argue that the last comma before the word “and,” also known as an Oxford comma, is unnecessary. This is how to properly use an Oxford comma. Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com, shutterstock.
Do you put a comma after "ly"?
Always add a comma after adverbs that end in “ly.”. Other introductory words or phrases that require a comma after them include “however,” “on the other hand,” and “furthermore.”. Nicole Fornabaio/rd.com, shutterstock.
When to use commas in a sentence?
Use commas around nonessential words, phrases, and clauses that interrupt the flow of the sentence. If these words are dropped, the sentence will still make sense and retain its basic meaning.
Do you put a comma before "but"?
Put a comma before coordinating conjunctions (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so--remember the acronym FANBOYS) only if they connect two independent clauses (a clause that is capable of standing alone as a sentence).
Do not put a comma before coordinating conjunctions?
Do not put a comma before coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) if they connect an independent clause with a dependent clause (a group of words that can not stand alone as a sentence).