Commas

Front

What is the primary function of a comma in a sentence?

Back

To indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should a comma be used before a conjunction in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma should be used before a conjunction (like 'and', 'but', 'or') when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an independent clause?

Back

An independent clause is a group of words that can stand alone as a sentence, containing a subject and a verb.

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list, and a comma is placed before the conjunction in a list of three or more items.

Front

What is the Oxford comma?

Back

The Oxford comma is the final comma in a list of items, placed before 'and' or 'or'.

Front

When should commas be used with adjectives?

Back

Commas should be used to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.

Front

What is a coordinate adjective?

Back

Coordinate adjectives are adjectives that independently modify a noun and can be separated by 'and'.

Front

How do commas function in direct address?

Back

Commas are used to separate the name or title of a person being addressed from the rest of the sentence.

Front

What is a non-essential clause?

Back

A non-essential clause provides additional information but can be removed without changing the meaning of the sentence, and it is set off by commas.

Front

When should commas be used with introductory phrases?

Back

Commas should be used after introductory phrases or clauses that precede the main clause.