- Use a comma to separate items in a list (but beware of the serial comma). ...
- Use a comma to join independent clauses. An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence. ...
- Use a comma to join a dependent clause and an independent clause. ...
- Use a comma following an introductory word group. ...
What are the 5 comma rules?
5. X,Y, and Z. Put commas between items in a list. When giving a short and simple list of things in a sentence, the last comma (right before the conjunction–usually and or or) is optional, but it is never wrong. If the items in the list are longer and more complicated, you should always place a final comma before the conjunction.
What are the different types of comma rules?
Punctuation Marks with Rules
- Period. One of the more common punctuation marks used at the end of most sentences. ...
- Question Mark. A question mark is used as a replacement for the period when the sentence is a question rather than a declaration.
- Exclamation Point. ...
- Comma. ...
- Semicolon. ...
- Colon. ...
- Dash. ...
- Hyphen. ...
- Parentheses. ...
- Apostrophe. ...
What are the rules for using commas correctly?
Where to use a comma in a sentence?
- Before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses– and, for, so, yet, but, or, nor You can come with me to the party, or you can go home with ...
- After each item in a list Eggs, fruits, and milk are all good breakfast foods.
- Before a quotation begins She said, “I will not be able to come to the workshop today.”
Where do commas go when listing 3 things?
Technical Help
- (1) Avoiding spelling errors
- (2) Correcting grammar errors
- (3) Finding better words.
When listing 3 things where do the commas go?
As mentioned above, when you are listing three or more items, commas should separate each element of the list. However, the final comma—the one that comes before the and—is optional. This comma is called the serial comma or the Oxford comma. Whether or not you use the serial comma is a style choice.
Do commas come before and when listing?
So the rules are clear: Use a listing comma in a list wherever you could conceivably use the word and (or or) instead. Do not use a listing comma anywhere else. Put a listing comma before and or or only if this is necessary to make your meaning clear.
Should I put a comma before the last item in a list?
The final comma in a list of items is known as an Oxford comma or serial comma. Some writers omit it, but doing so can cause confusion. In the example immediately above, the serial comma makes it clear that the writer is taking two separate economics courses next semester. Omitting the serial comma makes this unclear.
Do you put a comma before and in a list of 3?
The comma before the word and in a list of three or more things is the Oxford comma. It's also called the Serial comma. Writers use it to separate the last item in a list to avoid uncertainty or misunderstandings. One classic example that is often quoted is, to my parents, Ayn Rand, and God.
What is the rule for using commas in a series?
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 lis...
Do you put a comma when listing three things?
A comma should be used between each item if there are no conjunctions between them. Make sure to place a comma behind each item on the list except...
Do you put a comma before the last item in a list?
Placing a comma before the final item on a list is often debated amongst people who love punctuation. Some people believe that there should be no c...
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 a nonrestrictive clause?
A nonrestrictive clause offers extra information about something you have mentioned in a sentence, but the information isn’t essential to identify the thing you’re talking about. Nonrestrictive clauses are usually introduced by which or who and should be set off by commas.
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.
What does Mary need in the grocery store?
Mary needs bread, milk, and butter at the grocery store. (With serial comma) Mary needs bread, milk and butter at the grocery store. (Without serial comma) I still have to buy a gift, pack the suitcases, and arrange for someone to water the plants while we’re at the wedding.
When do you get a compound predicate?
You get a compound predicate when the subject of a sentence is doing more than one thing. In a compound predicate that contains two verbs, don’t separate them with a comma.
When to use parentheses in a sentence?
Parentheses are used to give additional information to the reader—information that would disrupt the flow of the sentence if written as a nonrestrictive clause. Commas may be placed after the closing parenthesis but not before either the opening or the closing parenthesis. If the sentence would not require any commas if the parenthetical statement were removed, the sentence should not have any commas when the parentheses are added.
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”.
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.
When to put a comma in a sentence?
Normally, you should put a comma between two complete sentences that are joined with a coordinating conjunction (and, or, but, for, nor, so, yet) that creates a single sentence with two independent clauses:
Can you use a comma between two independent clauses?
Rule #9: Don’t Use a Comma Between Two Independent Clauses (Without a Conjuction) If you have two independent clauses, you can’t just use a comma to join them. You can use a semi-colon, or you can use a conjunction plus a comma. Incorrect: There were no clouds in the sky, I went for a jog.
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.
Do you put a comma after the adjective?
You shouldn’t put a comma after the final adjective. For example: He’s a cheerful, kind boy. A comma is used here, because it would also make sense to say, “He’s a cheerful and kind boy”. There’s a blue bath towel on your bed. Here, “bath” is acting as an adjective to modify “towel”, but it’s not coordinate with “blue”.
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.
Using Commas in a List
Commas are one of the most used forms of punctuation, aside from periods. They are also one of the most misused punctuation marks in written English. Often, people misremember what they are taught about commas in primary school.
How to Use Commas in a List
There are many rules for using commas in a series. Remember, placing a comma correctly will elevate your writing. Below are some series comma rules, and, for each rule, some comma in a series examples.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
What is the comma used for in a name?
9. Use commas to set off all geographical names, items in dates (except the month and day), addresses (except the street number and name), and titles in names. Birmingham, Alabama, gets its name from Birmingham, England. July 22, 1959, was a momentous day in his life.
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.
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.
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.)
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 it mean to leave out the comma after the last two items?
Oxford comma: In a list of three or more items, the comma after the next-to-the-last item, just before the “and,” is optional, but leaving it out might imply that the last two items are connected as one unit, as in “mashed potatoes and gravy” or “pie and ice cream.”. Court cases have been won/lost because of the comma or lack thereof.
When items go together as pairs, should they not be separated with a comma?
Example: The meal consisted of a salad, a bowl of soup, a slice of ham, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pie and ice cream.
What are some examples of commas?
Examples: The box contained coloring books, toys, costumes, and apples. (More than two items are listed in the box. Separate each one with a comma.) (The comma after “costumes” is an Oxford comma.) Sailors, pilots, drivers, and explorers often use GPS for navigation. ( More than two groups of people are listed.
Do you put a comma in a sentence?
Generally, the commas replace all but the last “and” in the sentence. The comma is preferred over the repeated “and.”. Commas tighten up the writing to make it more readable. Removing most of the “and’s” creates a stronger sentence. Examples: The box contained coloring books, toys, costumes, and apples. (More than two items are listed in the box.
Do you put a comma before "and"?
Unless there is another reason for a comma, a list of only two items or phrases does NOT take a comma before “and” or “or.”. A list written in a paragraph should have a comma after each item (except the period after the last). ,
Do you put a comma after pie?
The same is true for “pie and ice cream.”) (The lack of comma after “pie” implies that the two items are served together. If the choice for dessert were either pie or ice cream, then a comma after “pie” would clarify that.) If the list only includes only two items, connect them with the appropriate “and,” “or,” “but,” without a comma.
How to separate items in a list?
To separate the items in a list. Punctuation is used to separate the items in the list. The usual way of doing this is to place a comma after each item in the list: The school has a vegetable garden in which the children grow cabbages, onions, potatoes, and carrots. The last item in a list is often preceded by the words and or or.
Do you put a comma before or after "or"?
Some writers and publishers always put a comma before the word and or or but it isn’t wrong to leave it out. The important thing is to be consistent throughout any piece of writing. If each item in the list is quite long, semicolons can be used instead of commas:
How to use commas in a list?
Summing up. If your list is simple, use commas to separate the items. Example: Last night Regina saw a mouse, a wizard, and a tomato. If your list is simple, you can also use a colon to introduce the list and commas to separate the items. Example: Last night Regina saw: a mouse, a wizard, and a tomato.
What punctuation marks are used in a list?
There are three punctuation marks involved in making a list in a sentence: the comma, colon, and semicolon. Which you use depends on how complex your list is. Comma. If you are writing a simple list, you can just insert a comma after each item. Like this:
Why do you use semicolons in a list?
Colon and Semicolon. If your list is complex, you may want to use semicolons as dividers to make each individual item easier to read. Or, as The Chicago Manual of Style says in section 6.58, “When items in a series themselves contain internal punctuation, separating the items with semicolons can aid clarity.”.
Why are Martina's lists so complex?
The items on Martina’s list are complex because, as you’ll notice, the items contain a lot of detail and punctuation (in this case, commas) within the singular items. If we only used commas to separate the items, instead of semicolons, it would be more difficult to see where one item ends and the next one begins.
Do you use a colon or a comma in a list?
Colon and Comma. You can also use a colon before you introduce the list’s items. In many cases, this will make the sentence more concise and make the items of the list more apparent. Take a look at this sentence: Roxy had three choices for lunch, which were pizza, grubs, and salamander.