Comma Rules List
- Independent Clauses. ...
- Lists and Series. ...
- Coordinate Adjectives. ...
- Contrasting Elements. ...
- Introductory Clauses and Phrases. ...
- Parenthetical Elements. ...
- Quotes and Attributions. ...
- The Compulsory Commas. ...
- Commas and Pauses. ...
What are the 7 rules of commas?
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 …
When do you use a comma in a list?
14/01/2021 · Comma Before But. Use a comma before the word but if it is joining two independent clauses: Cleo is a good singer but she’s an even better dancer. Cleo is a good singer, but she’s an even better dancer. If but is not joining two independent clauses, leave the comma out.
How do you use a comma in a 15A rule?
Quick Guide to Commas Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and,... Use commas after introductory a) clauses, b) phrases, or c) words that come before the main clause. Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set ...
How do you separate items in a list with commas?
12/11/2019 · When using a comma in a series, the comma must be behind each item on the list except the last item. A comma placed before the last item on the list that is called the Oxford comma.
What are the 8 rules for 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 15 rules for commas?
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 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 10 rules of commas?
When to Use a Comma: 10 Rules and ExamplesRule #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.More items...•15-Aug-2019
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.
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 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
Can you use 3 commas in a sentence?
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.
Do you use a comma when listing 3 things?
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.
What are the 5 comma rules?
Five Comma RulesUse a comma after an introductory phrase or clause. ... Use commas before and after a parenthetical phrase or clause. ... Use a comma to separate two independent clauses linked by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, for, nor or, so, yet) ... Use a comma to separate items in a series.More items...
What are the six basic rules for using commas in English?
Six Comma RulesPut 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.More items...
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.14-Jan-2019
What is Cleo's favorite activity?
Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage, and relaxing in the sunshine. Cleo’s favorite activities are singing on stage and relaxing in the sunshine. When correcting a comma splice, that is when joining two independent clauses with a coordinating conjunction, put the comma before and.
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.
What is an appositive in a sentence?
An appositive is a word or phrase that refers to the same thing as another noun in the same sentence. Often, the appositive provides additional information about the noun or helps to distinguish it in some way. If you could remove the appositive without changing the meaning of the sentence, it is said to be nonessential and should be set off with commas. If the appositive is necessary, it’s said to be essential and it should not be set off with commas.
How to determine if an adjective is a coordinate?
Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other. You can decide if two adjectives in a row are coordinate by asking the following questions: 1 Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written in reverse order? 2 Does the sentence make sense if the adjectives are written with and between them?
What are some words that should be followed by a comma?
Common starter words for introductory clauses that should be followed by a comma include after, although, as, because, if, since, when, while. While I was eating, the cat scratched at the door. Because her alarm clock was broken, she was late for class. If you are ill, you ought to see a doctor.
Which introductory phrases should be followed by a comma?
Common introductory phrases that should be followed by a comma include participial and infinitive phrases, absolute phrases, nonessential appositive phrases, and long prepositional phrases (over four words). Having finished the test, he left the room. To get a seat, you'd better come early.
When to use commas in conjunctions?
1. Use commas to separate independent clauses when they are joined by any of these seven coordinating conjunctions: and, but, for, or, nor, so, yet. The game was over, but the crowd refused to leave. The student explained her question, yet the instructor still didn't seem to understand.
Do you put a comma between the final adjective and the noun itself?
Be sure never to add an extra comma between the final adjective and the noun itself or to use commas with non-coordinate adjectives. Coordinate adjectives are adjectives with equal ("co"-ordinate) status in describing the noun; neither adjective is subordinate to the other.
What does a comma do in the Constitution?
The Constitution establishes the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government. The candidate promised to lower taxes, protect the environment, reduce crime, and end unemployment.
When to use commas in a sentence?
Use commas to set off phrases at the end of the sentence that refer to the beginning or middle of the sentence. Such phrases are free modifiers that can be placed anywhere in the sentence without causing confusion. (If the placement of the modifier causes confusion, then it is not "free" and must remain "bound" to the word it modifies.)
Why is a comma important?
The comma is a valuable, useful punctuation device because it separates the structural elements of sentences into manageable segments. The rules provided here are those found in traditional handbooks; however, in certain rhetorical contexts and for specific purposes, these rules may be broken.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
Use a pair of commas in the middle of a sentence to set off clauses, phrases, and words that are not essential to the meaning of the sentence. Use one comma before to indicate the beginning of the pause and one at the end to indicate the end of the pause.
When should a comma be placed before a conjunction?
When two independent clauses are joined with a coordinating conjunction ( and, or, but , nor, so, yet, for ), a comma should generally be placed before the conjunction.
Do you leave out a comma in a sentence?
However, you can usually leave out the comma if a subject doesn’t appear in the second clause. – She vowed to pack efficiently but left home with four bulging suitcases. Some writers also skip the comma when both clauses are short and balanced. – He sings and she dances.
Do you need a comma when you break up coordinate adjectives?
Commas also should be used to break up coordinate adjectives, which are adjectives that carry the same weight. If reversing the order of the adjectives turns your sentence into nonsense, they aren’t coordinate adjectives, and they don’t need a separating comma.
Do you put a comma inside or outside of a quotation?
The comma rules for quotations can be especially frustrating because you have to worry about whether the comma goes inside or outside of the quotation marks. When an attribution follows a quotation, the comma should be placed inside the quotation marks. If an attribution introduces a quotation, the comma should appear outside the quotation marks.
Do you use commas in a short story?
The good news is that these next rules always apply, whether you’re writing short stories or landing pages. You should use commas to separate cities and states, cities and countries, dates and years, and names and titles.
What is dependent clause?
A dependent clause, or subordinate clause, is one that can’t stand alone as a whole sentence. It should be separated from the independent clause that follows it using a comma: If you can’t make it, please call me. After the race, John was exhausted.
How to use commas in a list?
Rule #1: Use Commas to Separate Items in a List. This probably the first use of commas you learned in school: separating items in a list of three or more things. Here’s an example: The cake mix requires flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. Note that some style guides would not add the comma after the word “eggs”.
When to use a comma in a sentence?
Rule #7: Use Commas to Separate Coordinate Adjectives. When you’re describing something with two or more adjectives, you can use a comma between them if those adjectives are coordinating . (They’re coordinating if you could place “and” between them.) You shouldn’t put a comma after the final adjective.
Do you need a comma after an independent clause?
However, it’s normally not necessary to use a comma if the independent clause comes first: Please call me if you can’t make it. John was exhausted after the race. For more on this, plus an example of an instance where a comma is required after the independent clause, take a look at Subordinate Clauses and Commas.
What is the comma used after the penultimate item in a list?
We need bread, milk, cheese and eggs. In the first case, the “serial comma” or “Oxford comma” is used after the penultimate item in the list. In the second case, that comma is omitted. Some writers have very strong feelings for and against the serial comma.
Do you need a comma in Sue and John?
John was determined to get the unicorn slime his daughter wanted, but all the shops had sold out. You don’t need a comma if both the independent clauses are relatively short and similar in meaning: Sue went to the shops and John went home.
Do you put a comma before or after a sentence?
Sometimes, you might want to include extra information within a sentence that isn’t essential to its meaning. You should set this information off using a comma before and a comma after it: John went for a jog, which took half an hour, before having a long hot shower.
What does breaking the rule for clarity mean?
Break the Rule for Clarity. If breaking your "national" convention makes the text clearer (and that could mean omitting or inserting the comma depending on which convention you're following), then break convention. Clarity trumps both conventions. (There's more on this below.)
When to use commas in a list?
(In this example, commas are being used to add information about "my friend.") So, when a comma is used before a conjunction in a list , it could make the list item before the comma look like a parenthesis.
Do you put a comma on a list of items?
Commas with Two List Items. When there are two items in a list, don't use a comma to separate the list items (unless it helps your reader). For example: Please buy bread and milk. Please buy custard, and banana muffins. (Without the comma, "custard and banana muffins" could be one item. The comma helps the reader.)
What is the golden rule of the Oxford comma?
That is the golden rule! Bread, milk and cheese ( or those who don't use the Oxford Comma) Bread, milk , and cheese ( or those who do use the Oxford Comma) London, Paris and New York ( or those who don't use the Oxford Comma)
Where does the Bakerloo line go?
On the London Underground, the Bakerloo Line goes through Harrow and Wealdston, Paddington, Oxford Circus and Elephant and Castle. (With the Oxford Comma omitted (i.e., the second example above), those unfamiliar with London might think that "Oxford Circus and Elephant" was one station.) Also, look at this:
Do you use a comma in "Please buy bread"?
Please buy bread, milk, and cheese () Those following UK convention should not use a comma. Please buy bread, milk and cheese () Be aware that many in the UK use a comma, which is called a serial comma or an Oxford Comma. If your organization uses the Oxford Comma, you should too.
Do you put a comma before "or"?
When there are more than two items, the situation gets more complicated. Generally speaking, in the UK, writers tend not put a comma before the conjunction. In the US, however, writers tend to use a comma.