Here Are the Six Basic Rules
- When two sentences are joined by a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction. **Coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. ...
- If a phrase or group of words come before the main sentence, place a comma after those words. ...
- Use commas around clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. ...
- Do not use commas to set off phrases and words that are essential to the sentence. The boy in the yellow shirt is my son. ...
- For dialogue: Use a comma after a phrase introducing a quotation. Use a comma after a quotation that is followed by a dialogue tag. ...
- Use commas to separate three or more words, phrases, or clauses written in a series. The mail carrier brought a package, four letters, and a ton of junk mail. ...
- Put a comma before for, and, not, but, or, yet, so (FANBOYS), when they connect two. ...
- Put a comma after an introductory expression that doesn't flow smoothly into the. ...
- Put a comma between items in a series. ...
- Put commas around an expression that interrupts the flow of the sentence (such as.
What are four rules of using commas?
FOUR BASIC COMMA RULES 1. Use commas to separate items in a series of three or more. • Subjects in the program of study include English, math, and psychology. • Go up two flights of stairs, turn right, walk to the end of the hall, and you will be there. • The receptionist will admit you, the radiologist will x-ray you, the
What are the basic comma rules?
When to Use a Comma: 10 Rules and Examples
- Seven Places Where You SHOULD Use Commas. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school: separating items in a list of three or more things.
- One Place When You CAN Use a Comma. ...
- Two Places Where You Shouldn’t Use Commas. ...
- Keep learning! ...
How, why and when to use commas correctly in writing?
Why and when to use commas
- Connecting two independent clauses. You can use commas to connect two completely independent phrases. ...
- Eliminate confusion. Writing without commas can become a confusing read. ...
- Separate items. We use commas to separate several list items in one sentence. ...
- Introductory adverbs. ...
- Address elements. ...
- Full dates. ...
- Summary. ...
How to use the comma and semicolon correctly?
Use a semicolon between independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction if the clauses are already punctuated with commas or if the clauses are lengthy. Some people write with a word processor, tablet, or even a phone; but others, for different reasons, choose to write with a pen or pencil.
What are 6 basic comma rules?
To better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following 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.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 six types of commas?
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.
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...•
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.
What are the examples of comma?
2. Examples of Comma UseThe pet store has cats, dogs, hamsters, fish, and turtles. Listing things.I really wanted cereal this morning, but I didn't have any milk. Connecting clauses.Well, if you really want pancakes, I guess I can make them. Creating pauses.
How do you teach comma rules?
Comma UsageUse commas to separate items in a series. ... Use commas after introductory words or mild interjections. ... Use commas to set off words of direct address. ... Use commas to set off one or more words that interrupt the flow of a sentence.More items...•
What's the top comma called?
This final comma, known as an Oxford or serial comma, is useful in a complex series of elements or phrases but is often considered unnecessary in a simple series such as in the example above. It usually comes down to a style choice by the writer.
What are the 9 comma rules?
9 Rules for Using CommasSeparate two independent clauses joined by a conjunction with a comma. ... Use a comma after an introductory phrase. ... Use a comma after a conjunctive adverb. ... Divide separate items in a list using commas. ... Oxford or serial commas are optional. ... Separate nonrestrictive clauses with a comma.More items...•
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.
Can you use 2 commas in a sentence?
Use two commas, not one, to set off a nonrestrictive clause in the middle of a sentence. Incorrect: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions provided many opportunities for cultural exchange. Correct: The city, a polyglot of different races and religions, provided many opportunities for cultural exchange.
When to use a comma in a list?
When you have a list that contains more than two elements, use commas to separate them. Julie loves ice cream books and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books, and kittens. Julie loves ice cream, books and kittens. (The comma before the and in a list of three or more items is optional.
What does a comma mean in a sentence?
While a period ends a sentence, a comma indicates a smaller break. Some writers think of a comma as a soft pause—a punctuation mark that separates words, clauses, or ideas within a sentence.
When do you need a conjunction?
When you want to join two independent clauses , you need a conjunction or a semicolon. A comma alone isn’t strong enough to join them. This kind of mistake is called a comma splice.
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 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.
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).
What is the most commonly used punctuation mark?
Commas and periods are the most frequently used punctuation marks. Commas customarily indicate a brief pause; they're not as final as periods. 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.
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 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.
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.
How to use commas in a list?
Use commas with lists. Use commas to separate direct quotations. Use commas to set off certain words. Use commas after an introductory clause or phrase. Use commas to separate independent clauses. Use commas to set off participial phrases. Use commas between certain parts of address. Use commas to separate certain parts of a date.
When to use a comma after a date?
You will need to place a comma after the year when it appears in the middle of a sentence. Friday, November 30, 1991, was my graduation day.
What is a comma in a sentence?
Commas are punctuation marks that mostly indicate pauses in sentences. The tricky thing about commas is that most people struggle to know where to put commas in sentences. There is some flexibility but knowing the comma rules will help you take away the guess work and build confidence in your placement of commas.
When to put a comma after a participial phrase?
If the participial phrase is before the main clause, put the comma after the participial phrase. If the participial phrase is in the middle of the sentence , the participial phrase requires a comma before and after it. If the participial phrase is after the main clause, put a comma before the participial phrase.
Why Talk About commas?
Commas Are Easy
- Commas are pretty straightforward. For those who are wondering, yes, there are more than six rules, but if you know the basic six rules, you’ll have almost everything you need to know about commas. If you have a question that falls outside these rules, try one of these sites for answers: Purdue University or Antioch University.
Common Myths
- Myth #1: Use commas when you would pause in speech. This is an unreliable guideline because people pause or breathe in different places. Myth #2: Long sentences need commas. Length of a sentence doesn’t determine if a sentence needs a comma. Some long sentences don’t need commas. Myth #3: Rules for commas are vague, and they are impossible to figure out. Althoug…
Here Are The Six Basic Rules
- 1. When two sentences are joined by a coordinating conjunction, use a comma before the conjunction. **Coordinating conjunctions are: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. **A sentence has a subject and a verb. **So, if there is a sentence on either side of the conjunction, use a comma. If not, don’t use a comma. Examples: May jumped over the pasture fen...