Comma

Front

What is a comma?

Back

A comma is a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence or to separate items in a list.

Front

When should you use a comma in a date?

Back

A comma should be used to separate the day from the year in a date, e.g., July 6, 1961.

Front

How do you use commas in a list?

Back

Commas are used to separate items in a list, e.g., apples, oranges, and bananas.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with city and state names?

Back

A comma should be used to separate the city from the state, e.g., Houston, Texas.

Front

When should you use a comma before 'and' in a list?

Back

A comma is used before 'and' in a list of three or more items (Oxford comma), e.g., I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a compound sentence?

Back

A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) to connect two independent clauses.

Front

How do you punctuate a sentence with an introductory phrase?

Back

A comma is used after an introductory phrase or clause, e.g., After dinner, we went for a walk.

Front

What is a non-restrictive clause?

Back

A non-restrictive clause provides additional information but is not essential to the meaning of the sentence and is set off by commas, e.g., My brother, who lives in New York, is visiting.

Front

When should you not use a comma?

Back

Do not use a comma to separate a subject from its verb or a verb from its object.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with direct address?

Back

Use commas to separate the name of a person being addressed from the rest of the sentence, e.g., Can you help me, Sarah?