Commas

Front

What is the purpose of a comma in a sentence?

Back

Commas are used to indicate a pause between parts of a sentence, to separate items in a list, and to clarify meaning.

Front

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

Back

A comma should be used before 'and' in a list of three or more items (Oxford comma), but it can be omitted in shorter lists.

Front

How do you use commas with introductory phrases?

Back

A comma is used after an introductory phrase or clause to separate it from the main clause.

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.

Front

When should you use commas with adjectives?

Back

Use commas to separate two or more coordinate adjectives that describe the same noun.

Front

What is the rule for using commas with direct address?

Back

When directly addressing someone in a sentence, use commas to set off their name or title.

Front

How do you use commas in dates and addresses?

Back

Use commas to separate the elements in a date (e.g., July 4, 1776) and to separate parts of an address.

Front

What is the difference between restrictive and non-restrictive clauses?

Back

Restrictive clauses are essential to the meaning of a sentence and are not set off by commas, while non-restrictive clauses add extra information and are set off by commas.

Front

When should you use a comma before a conjunction?

Back

Use a comma before a conjunction (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) when it connects two independent clauses.

Front

What is an appositive?

Back

An appositive is a noun or noun phrase that renames another noun right beside it, and it is set off by commas if it is non-restrictive.