The 5 Uses of a Comma
- Separating the Main Elements of a Sentence from Each Other. Right or Wrong? The students completed their math test on...
- Setting off a Parenthetical Element from the Rest of the Sentence. Right or wrong? Last week's test says my best...
- Separating Elements in a Series. Right or wrong? Dan's lifelong project is to be able to speak American English...
- Setting off Dialogs or Quotations. A quote is a text that brings the exact words of a speaker in direct discourse. A...
- 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.
How do you use a comma?
The Five Comma Rules That Rule the World. Use 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 ...
What are the 7 types of commas?
Rule: Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction (and, but, yet, so, or nor, for) when it joins two complete ideas (independent clauses). 1. He walked down the street, and then he turned the corner. 2. You can go shopping with me, or you can go to a movie alone. 2. USE A COMMA AFTER AN INTRODUCTORY CLAUSE OR PHRASE.
What are the five comma rules that rule the world?
When do you use a comma after a coordinating conjunction?
What are the 10 uses of comma?
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
What are the 7 primary uses of a comma?
Use a comma to link an incomplete sentence with a complete sentence. Use the Oxford comma. Use a comma between two coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun. Use a comma to highlight additional, non-essential information about a noun.05-Oct-2018
What are the 6 uses of commas?
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 is comma and its uses?
A comma marks a slight break between different parts of a sentence. Used properly, commas make the meaning of sentences clear by grouping and separating words, phrases, and clauses.
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
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 do you use a comma for kids?
2:595:06THE COMMA - Punctuation Marks - Grammar and Spelling for KidsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe also use commas when addressing someone directly to separate their name from the rest of theMoreWe also use commas when addressing someone directly to separate their name from the rest of the sentence. Let's see what happens in the story.
How do you use a comma for beginners?
Commas indicate where one phrase or clause ends and another begins. a) Use them where two independent clauses (sentences that are complete, and make sense on their own) are joined by conjunctions like 'and', 'or', and 'but'. Example: I walked to the shops, and I took the bus home.23-Jan-2018
Is the Oxford comma?
The Oxford comma is the comma placed before the conjunction at the end of a list of things. For example, in “the flag was red, white, and blue”, the Oxford comma would be the one appearing before “and”. Proponents of the Oxford comma say it's necessary for removing ambiguity in sentences.
What are the four types of commas?
There are four types of comma: the listing comma, the joining comma, the gapping comma and bracketing commas.
Why are commas used in literature?
Commas have an essential function in creative writing. They indicate to the reader which words should go together in a sentence and which parts of the sentence are the most important. But this little punctuation mark often causes big problems for writers.16-Mar-2008
What does a comma tell you?
A comma tells readers that the introductory clause or phrase has come to a close and that the main part of the sentence is about to begin. When Evan was ready to iron, his cat tripped on the cord. Near a small stream at the bottom of the canyon, park rangers discovered a gold mine. 3.
When to use a comma in a series?
Use a comma between all items in a series. Rule: Use a comma to separate each item in a series; a series is a group of three or more items having the same function and form in a sentence. We bought apples, peaches, and bananas today. (series of words)
Do you put a comma in a direct quotation?
Use commas to set off direct quotations. Rule: A dialogue is a conversation between two or more people. If the speaker (not the listener) in the conversation is identified, his name, (or the noun or pronoun used to refer to the speaker), and the verb that refers to his speaking are enclosed within commas.
What is the gentleman standing by the fireplace?
The gentleman who is standing by the fireplace is a well-known composer. (restrictive) 5. Use a comma to set off appositives. Rule: An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames a nearby noun. Appositives offer nonessential information. Nonrestrictive appositives are set off with commas; restrictive appositives are not.
When was the Sitting Bull arrested?
On December 12, 1890, orders were sent out for the arrest of Sitting Bull. Rules for addresses: The elements of an address or place name are separated by commas. A zip code, however, is not preceded by a comma. Examples: John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940.
What are some examples of commas in numbers?
In numbers four digits long, a comma is optional. Examples: 3,500 [or 3500] 100,000.
Where was John Lennon born?
John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England, in 1940. Please send the letter to Greg Carvin at 708 Spring Street, Washington, IL 61571. Rules for titles: If a title follows a name, separate the title from the rest of the sentence with a pair of commas. Example: Sandra Belinsky, MD, has been appointed to the board.
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.
How to use a comma in a compound sentence?
Rule Two: Use a comma to make a compound sentence. You will often also use and, but, yet, so, or nor to join the sentences. 1 I kept the picture, and I later had it framed. 2 I had it framed, but I later realized that the picture was crooked. 3 I showed my husband, yet he did not seem to be bothered. 4 I was still bothered, so I took the picture down. 5 My husband didn’t notice, nor did he care.
Is a comma a punctuation mark?
All English teachers will tell their students that punctuation can make a lot of difference in your writing! Today we will look at the comma, which is one of the more basic punctuation marks. Do not let the comma fool you: although it is seen in most paragraphs, it is often misused or overused.
Commas are really great for helping to make sentences clear, but English learners often feel unsure about where to place them
We at TextRanch have recognized this struggle, and this is our response to it! Getting right to the point, here are five situations in which commas are needed:
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Conclusions
See, commas aren’t so difficult after all! Following these rules can assist you in making your writing more readable ( click here for more tips!) and easier to understand.
Why do we use commas in writing?
Commas are used to split up different parts of a sentence, and when used correctly they bring clarity and flow to your writing. They’re probably the most common piece of punctuation in English, which means that they’re often the most misused.
What is dependent vs independent clause?
Dependent vs independent clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains at least a subject and a verb. Sentences are often made up of several clauses. Whether you should put a comma (or some other form of punctuation) between them depends on the types of clauses and the relationship between them.
How long would a college student go without a phone?
According to a recent study of college students many young people would rather end their romantic relationship than go without their phone for a month. According to a recent study of college students, many young people would rather end their romantic relationship than go without their phone for a month.
Is a comma always accurate?
However the model is not always accurate. However, the model is not always accurate. With longer introductory phrases that set the stage for the main part of the sentence, it’s generally best to use a comma, especially if the phrase is more than 3–4 words long.
Why is it called a restrictive clause?
This is called a restrictive clause because it restricts the meaning of the sentence. Commas should not be used around a restrictive clause.
What is an independent clause?
An independent clause is a clause that could stand on its own as a full sentence. A dependent clause, in contrast, does not express a complete thought. It depends on another clause to form a full sentence. When a dependent clause comes at the start of a sentence, it should be followed by a comma.
Is there a comma after a dependent clause?
When a dependent clause comes after an independent clause, a comma is often not necessary, especially if it adds information that is essential to the meaning of the independent clause.